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The Simmons School of Education and Human Development invites applications for tenure-line and non-tenure-line faculty positions in its departments of Applied Physiology and Sport Management, Education Policy and Leadership, Teaching and Learning, and Counseling.  Faculty position announcements appear below, and overviews of the Simmons School, the University, and the City of Dallas follow the announcements.

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Department of Education Policy and Leadership

Position: Open Rank Professor in Education Policy and Leadership:  K-12 Education Leadership
Position Number: 53096

The Department of Education Policy & Leadership at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ (SMU) invites applications for an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in K-12 Education Leadership. This is a tenure-track position slated to begin in August of 2026. SMU’s Department of Education Policy & Leadership (EPL) is a dynamic, inclusive, and collegial environment where research, policy, and practice are valued in the preparation of future leaders in both K-12 and higher education contexts. Our highly productive faculty has diversity of expertise and pursues a wide range of research focused on leadership, policy, district and community partnerships, and K-12 practice.

We seek applicants who have an earned doctorate in educational leadership, policy, administration, or a related field and have a research agenda explicitly focused on leadership. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, maintaining an active research agenda; seeking external funding; teaching courses in the doctorate of education (Ed.D.), master’s of education programs, and/or Ph.D. program; advising Ed.D. and Ph.D. dissertations; and providing service to the program, department, college, university, and community.

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in K-12 educational leadership, policy, administration, or a related discipline by August 1, 2026.
• Expertise that contributes to our understanding of K-12 educational leadership, including (but not limited to): school, district, or community leadership; school improvement; and/or organizational development.

Preferred Qualifications (expectations for each are commensurate with candidate’s rank)

• Experience and commitment to teaching, advising, and/or mentoring graduate students.
• Demonstrated record of seeking and/or securing research funding.
• Experience as a leader, broadly defined, is preferred; other K-12 practitioner experiences are also valued.
• Evidence of participation and/or service in the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) or the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division A.

Application Process

Applicants should submit their materials online at and reference Position Number 53096 on all application materials.

The application materials should include the following.

1. A cover letter highlighting the candidate’s qualifications with specific reference to research and teaching experience/approach
2. Curriculum vitae
3. One writing sample in the form of a published article, submitted manuscript, or manuscript in preparation
4. Name, title, and contact information (email address) for three references.

For questions or to discuss the position, contact the search chair, Dr. Alexandra Pavlakis (pavlakis@smu.edu). The search committee will begin reviewing applications October 1, 2025, but the position will remain open until filled. The start date for the position is Fall 2026. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.

The Department of Education Policy & Leadership is a dynamic and collegial environment where research, policy, and practice are valued in the preparation of future education leaders; it cultivates and supports leaders and researchers dedicated to improving educational outcomes and the culture of learning in schools, colleges, and educational systems through leadership development, scholarship, and service. The faculty has extensive experience in both practice and research and values a diversity of expertise and experiences. The department offers five programs: an Ed.D. in Pk-12 Educational Leadership, Ed.D. in Higher Education, M.Ed. Accelerated PK-12 Leadership, M.Ed. Higher Education, and a Principal Certification program.

(SMU) is an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of teachers and scholars that values diverse research and creative agendas. The University is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. The University is situated in the heart of Dallas, a culturally rich arts and global business center, is home to many universities, arts organizations and Fortune 500 companies.

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

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Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management

Positions (4): Open-Rank Clinical Professors of Sport Management
Position Numbers: 53088, 53259, 52406, & 53285 with different instructional and curricular focuses

The Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management in the Simmons School at SMU is currently accepting applications for four (4) Open Rank Clinical Professors of Sport Management. These are non-tenure-track, nine-month renewable contract positions slated to begin in either January 2026 or August 2026.

All four of these open-rank Clinical Professor positions are expected to teach 4 courses (12 credit hours) per semester in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Sport Management program and/or the graduate Master of Science in Sport Management program. Clinical professors may be asked to teach evening and/or weekend courses. Clinical professors are also expected to maintain office hours and an appropriate student-centered presence on campus while participating in service that leads to the development, growth, and expansion of the sport management program. For additional information about the faculty and the department, visit /apsm.

 

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About SMU Sport Management

The SMU Sport Management program within Simmons’ Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management is one of the fastest-growing programs on campus with five full-time faculty members, 215 undergraduate students, and 30 master’s students. The SMU Simmons Master’s in Sport Management program has received significant recognition, being ranked as one of the Top 40 programs internationally and the #4 program among private universities in the U.S.A. These rankings were conducted by SportBusiness, a London-based intelligence service that provides data and analytics to the sports industry. For more information on the SportBusiness Postgraduate Ranking, often referred to as the SportBusiness PGR, visit:

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

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Department of Counseling

Positions (2): Clinical Assistant Professors in Counseling
Position Numbers: 53313 & 53705

The Department of Counseling within the Simmons School at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ (SMU) seeks two full-time Clinical Assistant Professors. These are non-tenure-track positions, each with an initial one-year appointment that begins August 2026 and is renewable in the years thereafter.

The Department of Counseling within the Simmons School at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ (SMU) seeks two full-time Clinical Assistant Professors. These are non-tenure-track positions, each with an initial one-year appointment that begins August 2026 and is renewable in the years thereafter.

Responsibilities

• Teach counseling courses and utilize generalist teaching skills for core counseling curriculum, which includes culturally sustaining content and strategies across the foundational curriculum in keeping with CACREP standards.
• Academic (individual and group) advising.
• Curriculum development and/or oversight.
• Provide clinical supervision, as needed, of students in clinical courses.
• Support departmental program projects and events.
• Provide service to the School and University.

Required Qualifications

• A doctoral degree in counseling or counselor education (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) from a CACREP-accredited program.
• A doctoral degree in a related field and previous employment as a full-time faculty member in a counselor education program for a minimum of 1 full academic year before July 1, 2013.
• Teaching experience in counseling-related courses, including clinical courses and counseling core curriculum.
• Demonstrated identity as a counselor educator and clinician as evidenced by sustained participation in professional activities, scholarly activities, and service to the profession.
• Clinical experience in the field and clinical supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• LPC licensure
• Marriage, couple, and family counseling experience
• School counseling experience
• Addiction/substance-abuse counseling experience
• One-to-three years teaching experience

Application Process

To ensure full consideration for the position, applications must be received by October 17, 2025, although the positions will remain open until filled. The following documents are required to be considered for the positions.

1. Cover letter outlining teaching, scholarship, professional service, and clinical experiences as well as research experience, if applicable.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Three references, including their names, affiliations, and contact information. References will only be contacted if the candidate advances to the on-campus interview stage.

All materials should be submitted online through Interfolio at and reference Position Numbers 53313 and 53705 on all application materials. For questions about the search process, contact Kathy Silva at ksilva@smu.edu. For questions about the department or the positions, contact Dr. Denise M. Walker, Search Committee Chair, at denise@smu.edu.

Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. The start date for these positions is August 2026. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

The Department of Counseling is a part of the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development at SMU and is ranked nationally among the top 5 best-value schools (). The Program maintains approximately 300 graduate students, all of whom participate in a capstone experience that involves a practicum in the state-of-the-art SMU Center for Family Counseling and clinical internships in community sites. The program offers three CACREP-accredited Specialties: Clinical Mental Health; Marriage, Couple & Family; and School Counseling. The Center for Family Counseling, the program’s on-campus clinic, offers services to the community and serves as a practica site for students prior to their clinical internships. With an emphasis on teaching, faculty work collaboratively to sustain a nurturing and innovative environment focused on embracing diversity, pluralism, and advocacy, which are hallmarks of the program and have contributed to its ongoing success. Faculty are committed to the well-being and success of students and each other.

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

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Department of Teaching and Learning

No positions available at present.

The Department of Teaching and Learning (T&L) is a dynamic and collegial environment where research, policy, and practice are valued in the preparation of Teachers and Teacher Leaders. Faculty members have extensive expertise in both research and practice, drawing on a variety of experiences. The Teaching and Learning programs engage in continuous assessment and improvement of department courses and organizational structures and is committed, as well, to providing mentoring support to new members of the department commensurate with their rank. Explore more at http://www.smu.edu/Simmons/Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.

The department includes graduate study in Learning Sciences, Teacher Education, Bilingual/ESL Education, Special Education, Literacy, Gifted and Talented, Math Education, STEM Education, and Urban Education. In addition, the department includes the Technology-Enhanced Immersion Learning (TEIL) cluster that focuses on learning sciences, artificial intelligence, machine learning, technology-enhanced learning, assessment, and behavior change. Adjunct positions can be found at /simmons/about-us/job-openings/adjunct-positions.

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Department of Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies

No positions available at present.

The Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies department offers a wide range of interdisciplinary, skills-based master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs for professionals, community leaders, and individuals. Students in this vibrant community represent a range of professional and community backgrounds and educational goals. The department offers a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution, Master of Liberal Studies, Doctor of Liberal Studies, Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution, Executive Coaching Concentration, Healthcare Collaboration and Conflict Engagement Certificate, and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. Adjunct positions can be found at /simmons/about-us/job-openings/adjunct-positions.

About the Simmons School, SMU, and the City of Dallas

The Simmons School of Education & Human Development

Founded in 2005, SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development is ranked among the top 11 private graduate schools of education in the United States and among the top 3 public and private graduate schools of education in Texas. Simmons offers undergraduate and graduate programs across five academic departments, including Applied Physiology and Sport Management, Counseling, Education Policy and Leadership, Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies, and Teaching and Learning. In addition, Simmons is home to three school-level centers: The Center on Research and Evaluation, The Budd Center: Involving Communities in Education, and College Access. Comprised of two state-of-the-art academic buildings, the Simmons School has over 80,000 sq. feet of office and classroom spaces, two applied physiology labs, and a 21st-century teacher-development studio. The Simmons School promotes excellence by engaging in research, securing significant external grants and contracts, preparing exemplary professionals, and collaborating with community partners. The Simmons School of Education & Human Development is a catalyst for discovery and innovation that transforms social conditions and advances human potential through excellence in research, teaching, and community outreach. Learn out more at /Simmons.

SMU: The University

SMU is a nationally ranked, private, non-sectarian university of more than 12,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs through seven schools – Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Meadow School of the Arts, Lyle School of Engineering, Perkins School of Theology, Dedman School of Law, and Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

The beautifully shaded campus of Georgian-Revival-inspired architecture is situated in the heart of Dallas and central to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, which is a culturally rich arts and global business center that is home to many universities, arts organizations, and Fortune 500 corporations. Of note, the Sport Business Journal named Dallas the number one sports business city in the U.S. in 2023 ().

Classified as an R-1 institution, SMU’s researchers are part of an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of internationally recognized scholars across the humanities, social sciences, mathematical sciences, engineering, education, and business. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. Explore SMU at .

The City of Dallas

The City of Dallas is one of the nation’s most cosmopolitan, commercial, and cultural centers, and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the fourth largest in the US. A great many publicly traded corporations are headquartered in DFW, with nine Fortune 500 companies based within Dallas alone. The DFW airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and travel to nearly anywhere in the world is extremely convenient, often by direct flight. Dallas’ quality of life is exceptional, with a relatively low cost of living and a variety of housing options from high-rise urban apartments to country-style single-family homes. A full range of professional sports teams, popular-to-highbrow music venues, a lively and innovative restaurant scene, numerous recreational opportunities, festivals, and more make Dallas a city of choice for many students, academicians, professionals, and families.

Dallas boasts the nation’s largest urban arts district, which comprises world-class museums and a luminous cluster of performing arts spaces, highlighted by the Winspear Opera House that was described by Opera magazine as America’s finest. With the Trinity River, White Rock Lake, almost 400 parks, and over 200 miles of urban hiking and biking trails, the city provides abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The city has been named one of the Greenest Cities in the world. SMU students and faculty utilize the Dallas metropolitan area as an extension of the classroom, characterized by engaged learning projects and corporate and community partnerships. To learn more about the rich culture of Dallas, visit .

SMU will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.