OPT Counseling Psychologist Jobs
Counseling Psychologist roles on OPT require careful planning: most positions require licensure that takes years to obtain, and your OPT clock starts immediately. STEM OPT extension isn't available for this field, so your 12-month window shapes which clinical settings and supervision pathways are realistic to pursue.
Find OPT Counseling Psychologist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 10+ Counseling Psychologist jobs
See all Counseling Psychologist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Counseling Psychologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Summary
Methodist University invites applications for a Director of the Master in Science Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), housed in the Division of Social Sciences. Salary for this non tenure-track, 12-month position is commensurate with professional and academic experience. This is a non-remote appointment; presence on the Methodist University campus in Fayetteville, North Carolina is required.
Job Responsibilities include:
- Planning, implementation, and oversight of the CMHC academic program
- Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and development of qualified faculty and staff to meet the goals of the program
- Establish and maintain relationships locally, regionally, and nationally to support clinical sites/clinical affiliations
- Oversee the program’s initial and ongoing CACREP accreditation process
- Teach core graduate-level coursework in a hybrid format
- Employ best practices in assessment of student learning and academic program outcomes
- Contribute scholarly and professional development efforts in the mental health discipline
- Maintain and organize regulatory and compliance documents, reports, and other metrics using electronic media
- Engage in service to the Clinical Mental Health program, the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, and the university
- Perform other related duties as assigned for the success of the program and division
Applications:
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, qualified applicants are invited to submit the following: 1) letter of intent, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) teaching philosophy statement, 4) transcripts, and 5) concise statement about your approach to teaching or other initiatives designed to foster a sense of student engagement, community, and belonging.
For inquiries, contact Dr. Jeffry Thigpen, Head for the Division of Human Services (jthigpen@methodist.edu). All applications should be submitted through http://www.methodist.edu/positions-available.
Experience, Education & Other Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in Mental Health Counseling
- Minimum of three years of clinical experience
- Professional identity in the Counseling Profession
- Minimum of three years of higher education experience with successful teaching
- Licensed in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor or eligible to seek and gain licensure
- Experience with the CACREP accreditation process
- Experience teaching in a fully online degree program
Job Summary
Methodist University invites applications for a Director of the Master in Science Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), housed in the Division of Social Sciences. Salary for this non tenure-track, 12-month position is commensurate with professional and academic experience. This is a non-remote appointment; presence on the Methodist University campus in Fayetteville, North Carolina is required.
Job Responsibilities include:
- Planning, implementation, and oversight of the CMHC academic program
- Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and development of qualified faculty and staff to meet the goals of the program
- Establish and maintain relationships locally, regionally, and nationally to support clinical sites/clinical affiliations
- Oversee the program’s initial and ongoing CACREP accreditation process
- Teach core graduate-level coursework in a hybrid format
- Employ best practices in assessment of student learning and academic program outcomes
- Contribute scholarly and professional development efforts in the mental health discipline
- Maintain and organize regulatory and compliance documents, reports, and other metrics using electronic media
- Engage in service to the Clinical Mental Health program, the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, and the university
- Perform other related duties as assigned for the success of the program and division
Applications:
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, qualified applicants are invited to submit the following: 1) letter of intent, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) teaching philosophy statement, 4) transcripts, and 5) concise statement about your approach to teaching or other initiatives designed to foster a sense of student engagement, community, and belonging.
For inquiries, contact Dr. Jeffry Thigpen, Head for the Division of Human Services (jthigpen@methodist.edu). All applications should be submitted through http://www.methodist.edu/positions-available.
Experience, Education & Other Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in Mental Health Counseling
- Minimum of three years of clinical experience
- Professional identity in the Counseling Profession
- Minimum of three years of higher education experience with successful teaching
- Licensed in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor or eligible to seek and gain licensure
- Experience with the CACREP accreditation process
- Experience teaching in a fully online degree program
See all OPT Counseling Psychologist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Counseling Psychologist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Counseling Psychologist
Understand licensure requirements before applying
Most Counseling Psychologist positions require state licensure, which typically takes 1 to 2 years of supervised postdoctoral hours. Map your OPT timeline against each state's licensing requirements before targeting specific employers or clinical settings.
Target university counseling centers first
University counseling centers are among the most OPT-friendly employers for psychology graduates. They're familiar with international student work authorization, often have HR infrastructure for sponsorship, and frequently hire doctoral-level trainees transitioning from internship placements.
Clarify your degree level with employers upfront
Counseling Psychologist roles almost universally require a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). Confirm your degree type matches the job's requirement before applying. Mismatched qualifications are among the most common reasons OPT candidates lose time in hiring processes.
Ask specifically about H-1B sponsorship during screening
Don't wait until an offer to raise sponsorship. Ask during the first HR call whether the employer has sponsored H-1B visas for psychology roles before. Employers with no sponsorship history are unlikely to start the process for a single hire.
Use your APA internship network strategically
Your APA-accredited internship site is your strongest professional network. Supervisors and training directors there often have direct hiring authority or referral connections at other institutions. Leverage those relationships before your OPT window closes.
Document your supervised hours precisely from day one
Postdoctoral supervision hours must be verified for licensure and often for employer records. Start tracking hours in a detailed log from your first OPT day. Gaps or imprecise records can delay licensure applications and complicate visa sponsorship timelines.
Counseling Psychologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Counseling Psychologist on OPT without a license?
It depends on the role and state. Many employers hire postdoctoral psychology fellows or unlicensed psychologists under supervision, which can qualify as authorized OPT employment in your field of study. However, positions titled 'Licensed Psychologist' or 'Staff Psychologist' requiring independent practice typically require state licensure you may not yet hold. Review each job description's licensure requirement carefully before applying.
Does a Counseling Psychology degree qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Counseling Psychology programs are classified under CIP code 42.2803, which is not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. That means your OPT authorization is limited to 12 months. Planning your licensure pathway and employer sponsorship timeline within that window is essential, since there's no extension available to fall back on.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for Counseling Psychologists?
Large health systems, university counseling centers, VA medical centers, and federally qualified health centers have the strongest track records of H-1B sponsorship for doctoral-level psychologists. These organizations have established HR and legal infrastructure for immigration filings. Smaller private practices rarely sponsor. You can browse Counseling Psychologist roles at OPT-friendly employers directly on Migrate Mate.
How does postdoctoral supervision work for OPT students in psychology?
Postdoctoral supervision is a required licensure step across all states, typically involving 1 to 2 years of supervised practice under a licensed psychologist. On OPT, this supervised role counts as authorized employment as long as it's in your field of study and you're compensated. The key risk is timing: if your OPT expires before you complete supervision hours, you'll need H-1B sponsorship to continue.
What should I look for in a Counseling Psychologist job posting as an OPT student?
Look for three things: whether the role requires current state licensure or accepts postdoctoral candidates, whether the employer mentions visa sponsorship availability, and whether the position is full-time (part-time OPT employment must still relate to your field). Postdoctoral fellowship and psychology resident postings are often the most accessible entry points for OPT students who haven't yet obtained licensure.