OPT Education Counselor Jobs
Education Counselor roles fit F-1 OPT work authorization well when the position requires a degree in counseling, education, psychology, or a related field. Most roles fall under STEM-adjacent or social services fields, giving you up to 12 months of standard OPT to gain U.S. work experience in schools, nonprofits, or higher education settings.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Come and join the Bearkat community! Named after Texas' legendary hero, General Sam Houston, the university boasts a rich historical legacy that resonates with the spirit of Texas, which provides a balance between a peaceful, natural setting and proximity to urban amenities. With a student population of over 21,000, SHSU offers a vibrant and dynamic community. SHSU has a small town feel with large scale opportunities. Located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas and just an hour drive north of Houston, Huntsville provides area residents with a sense of community and belonging.
SHSU offers compelling options for individuals seeking a fulfilling and impactful career including a superior benefit package, competitive salaries and a flexible work environment fostering work/life balance. SHSU offers programs that support a healthy work-life balance, contributing to employee well-being and job satisfaction, as well as, professional development opportunities with our educational assistance and dependent assistance programs.
POSITION INFORMATION
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
Position Title
Assistant/Associate Professor of Counselor Education (3 positions)
Requisition
202500138F
Rank
Assistant Professor
FLSA status
Exempt
Hiring Salary
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Position Type
Full-Time Tenure Track
College
College of Education
Department
Dept of Counselor Education
Open Date
11/21/2025
Refer Applicants To
Contact Name
Dr. Leigh Holman
Title
Department Chair
Department of Counselor Education
Box 2119
Huntsville, TX 77341
Contact Phone
936-294-3410
Contact Email
laf006@shsu.edu
POSITION DETAILS
Duties Performed in the Usual Course of the Job
The Sam Houston State University’s (SHSU) Department of Counselor Education (DCE) seeks an outstanding counselor educator to join our dynamic team in a tenure track position. We offer CACREP accredited graduate programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.), School Counseling (M.Ed.) and Counselor Education (Ph.D.). The department also houses the Institute for Play Therapy, which includes our Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy; a Center for Research & Training in Trauma, which houses our Graduate Certificate in Trauma & Grief Counseling; and the DCE offers a Graduate Certificate in Marriage, Couples, and Family counseling. The Counselor Education Center is in Huntsville, Texas on the SHSU campus (about an hour north of Houston) and has two state-of-the-art counseling clinics, one in Huntsville and one at The Woodlands Center (TWC) in north metro Houston, where we also hold some classes. The DCE contributes to the SHSU community-engaged campus model through thousands of hours of service annually to the community, including free counseling at our clinics and course-embedded service such as designing program evaluations for community agencies in the Research course. Our department values growth, innovation, and creativity.
Responsibilities include:
- Teaching in person in Huntsville and TWC and online.
- Career and professional advising and mentorship.
- Providing clinical supervision in our state-of-the-art training clinics.
- Engaging in scholarship through ongoing research and publication in counseling journals and presentations at counseling-related conferences.
- Active involvement in department, college, and university events (e.g., meetings/graduation).
- Service to the department and college and to the counseling profession.
- Serving as a course lead on 2-3 courses, providing curriculum oversight and continuity through coaching adjuncts teaching those courses.
- Serving on dissertation committees.
Consideration for Associate Rank:
- Years at associate rank at current university.
- Evidence of Sustained Scholarship, primarily publications in peer-reviewed counseling journals.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION
Doctorate in Counselor Education, preferably from a CACREP accredited program.
Associate Professor rank is based on existing rank at current university and sustained evidence of scholarship, primarily through publications in reputable counseling journals with peer-review processes.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION
Required:
- Successful teaching experience.
- Evidence supporting future success as a scholar.
- Experience as a counselor in school or community settings.
- LPC in Texas or assurance that the candidate will seek LPC licensure in the state of Texas within 1 year of employment.
Preferred:
- License as a professional counselor at the independent practice level.
- Teaching in traditional and online or hybrid settings.
- Active involvement in committees or leadership in counseling-related organizations.
- Clearly articulated research agenda.
- Peer-reviewed publications, juried presentations, and/or grant writing success.
- Interest and understanding of research mentorship.
- Ability to teach assessment and research methods and graduate certificate courses in play therapy, trauma and grief, or marriage, couples, and family coursework.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION
Attitudes and behavior consistent with professional expectations.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS SUMMARY
Please note: References provided in the References section of the application will receive an automated email reference request at the time the application is submitted.
This position is for the Fall 2026 semester. Please make sure that unofficial transcripts uploaded to the application contain the name of the issuing institution and the degree conferral date (if candidate is not ABD). Three written references or letters of recommendation are required. Selected candidate will be asked for official transcripts for all degrees at the time of hire.
Open Until Filled
Yes
EEO STATEMENT
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code §51.215.
INTRODUCTION
Come and join the Bearkat community! Named after Texas' legendary hero, General Sam Houston, the university boasts a rich historical legacy that resonates with the spirit of Texas, which provides a balance between a peaceful, natural setting and proximity to urban amenities. With a student population of over 21,000, SHSU offers a vibrant and dynamic community. SHSU has a small town feel with large scale opportunities. Located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas and just an hour drive north of Houston, Huntsville provides area residents with a sense of community and belonging.
SHSU offers compelling options for individuals seeking a fulfilling and impactful career including a superior benefit package, competitive salaries and a flexible work environment fostering work/life balance. SHSU offers programs that support a healthy work-life balance, contributing to employee well-being and job satisfaction, as well as, professional development opportunities with our educational assistance and dependent assistance programs.
POSITION INFORMATION
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
Position Title
Assistant/Associate Professor of Counselor Education (3 positions)
Requisition
202500138F
Rank
Assistant Professor
FLSA status
Exempt
Hiring Salary
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Position Type
Full-Time Tenure Track
College
College of Education
Department
Dept of Counselor Education
Open Date
11/21/2025
Refer Applicants To
Contact Name
Dr. Leigh Holman
Title
Department Chair
Department of Counselor Education
Box 2119
Huntsville, TX 77341
Contact Phone
936-294-3410
Contact Email
laf006@shsu.edu
POSITION DETAILS
Duties Performed in the Usual Course of the Job
The Sam Houston State University’s (SHSU) Department of Counselor Education (DCE) seeks an outstanding counselor educator to join our dynamic team in a tenure track position. We offer CACREP accredited graduate programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.), School Counseling (M.Ed.) and Counselor Education (Ph.D.). The department also houses the Institute for Play Therapy, which includes our Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy; a Center for Research & Training in Trauma, which houses our Graduate Certificate in Trauma & Grief Counseling; and the DCE offers a Graduate Certificate in Marriage, Couples, and Family counseling. The Counselor Education Center is in Huntsville, Texas on the SHSU campus (about an hour north of Houston) and has two state-of-the-art counseling clinics, one in Huntsville and one at The Woodlands Center (TWC) in north metro Houston, where we also hold some classes. The DCE contributes to the SHSU community-engaged campus model through thousands of hours of service annually to the community, including free counseling at our clinics and course-embedded service such as designing program evaluations for community agencies in the Research course. Our department values growth, innovation, and creativity.
Responsibilities include:
- Teaching in person in Huntsville and TWC and online.
- Career and professional advising and mentorship.
- Providing clinical supervision in our state-of-the-art training clinics.
- Engaging in scholarship through ongoing research and publication in counseling journals and presentations at counseling-related conferences.
- Active involvement in department, college, and university events (e.g., meetings/graduation).
- Service to the department and college and to the counseling profession.
- Serving as a course lead on 2-3 courses, providing curriculum oversight and continuity through coaching adjuncts teaching those courses.
- Serving on dissertation committees.
Consideration for Associate Rank:
- Years at associate rank at current university.
- Evidence of Sustained Scholarship, primarily publications in peer-reviewed counseling journals.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION
Doctorate in Counselor Education, preferably from a CACREP accredited program.
Associate Professor rank is based on existing rank at current university and sustained evidence of scholarship, primarily through publications in reputable counseling journals with peer-review processes.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION
Required:
- Successful teaching experience.
- Evidence supporting future success as a scholar.
- Experience as a counselor in school or community settings.
- LPC in Texas or assurance that the candidate will seek LPC licensure in the state of Texas within 1 year of employment.
Preferred:
- License as a professional counselor at the independent practice level.
- Teaching in traditional and online or hybrid settings.
- Active involvement in committees or leadership in counseling-related organizations.
- Clearly articulated research agenda.
- Peer-reviewed publications, juried presentations, and/or grant writing success.
- Interest and understanding of research mentorship.
- Ability to teach assessment and research methods and graduate certificate courses in play therapy, trauma and grief, or marriage, couples, and family coursework.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION
Attitudes and behavior consistent with professional expectations.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS SUMMARY
Please note: References provided in the References section of the application will receive an automated email reference request at the time the application is submitted.
This position is for the Fall 2026 semester. Please make sure that unofficial transcripts uploaded to the application contain the name of the issuing institution and the degree conferral date (if candidate is not ABD). Three written references or letters of recommendation are required. Selected candidate will be asked for official transcripts for all degrees at the time of hire.
Open Until Filled
Yes
EEO STATEMENT
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code §51.215.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Education Counselor
Target employers with a history of visa sponsorship
Universities, community colleges, and large nonprofit education organizations are more likely to sponsor OPT extensions or H-1B visas than small private practices. Research the employer's size and HR infrastructure before applying.
Frame your degree as a direct match for the role
Education Counselor positions typically require a degree in counseling, psychology, or education. Explicitly connect your academic background to the job description in your cover letter to reduce any uncertainty about your qualifications.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
Let hiring managers know your OPT authorization period and end date early in the process. Schools and institutions plan staffing months ahead, so transparency about your timeline helps them assess sponsorship feasibility without surprises.
Pursue relevant licensure or certification proactively
Many states require school counselors to hold a state license or credential. Demonstrating progress toward licensure signals long-term commitment to employers and strengthens your case for sponsorship when OPT ends.
Emphasize bilingual or multicultural advising skills
Schools and colleges increasingly need counselors who can serve multilingual student populations. If you speak additional languages or have cross-cultural advising experience, lead with that, as it differentiates you and strengthens your hiring case.
Browse OPT-friendly Education Counselor openings on Migrate Mate
Not every job posting indicates sponsorship willingness upfront. Migrate Mate filters for employers open to OPT candidates, saving you time and helping you focus your applications on roles with a realistic path to continued work authorization.
Education Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Education Counselor jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, Education Counselor roles qualify for OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in counseling, psychology, social work, or education, this role is a strong match. You'll need to confirm the connection between your degree and the job with your Designated School Official before starting work.
Can I work as an Education Counselor on STEM OPT extension?
Standard counseling and education degrees are not classified as STEM fields, so most Education Counselor roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. However, if your degree is in an eligible STEM field such as educational technology or data-driven learning analytics, and the role directly applies that training, an extension may be possible. Confirm with your DSO.
What types of employers hire Education Counselors who need OPT sponsorship?
K-12 school districts, community colleges, universities, and nonprofit education organizations are the most common employers for Education Counselors on OPT. Larger institutions with dedicated HR departments are generally better equipped to handle work authorization documentation and future sponsorship. You can browse OPT-friendly openings on Migrate Mate to identify which employers are actively hiring international candidates.
Does an Education Counselor role require a license, and how does that affect OPT?
Many states require school counselors to hold a state-issued credential or license, which typically involves additional coursework or a supervised internship beyond your degree. Licensure requirements don't directly affect your OPT eligibility, but unlicensed candidates may be limited to support roles while working toward full credentials. Confirm your state's requirements before applying to roles that specify licensure.
How should I handle gaps in OPT employment as an Education Counselor?
OPT regulations allow up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment during the authorization period. Education hiring is often seasonal, with most openings appearing before the fall and spring semesters. If you're between roles, document your job search activity carefully and consult your DSO if you're approaching the 90-day limit. Staying proactive during hiring cycles is the best way to minimize gaps.