OPT Psychology Jobs
Psychology OPT jobs span clinical support, research coordination, and behavioral analysis roles. Most qualify for the standard 12-month OPT period, and positions tied to research or data-driven behavioral work often meet STEM OPT extension criteria under CIP code 42.0101, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Title:
Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology (Tenure-Line)
Compensation:
$70,000-$75,000
Department:
Educational Psychology
Start Date:
01/10/2027
About this opportunity:
The Ball State University Department of Educational Psychology invites applications for a 9-month tenure-line faculty position in Quantitative Psychology/Quantitative Methodology. The department seeks a scholar with expertise in advanced quantitative methods who will contribute to graduate instruction, methodological research and consultation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and externally funded research. Expertise in emerging methodologies, particularly machine learning and data mining, is highly desirable.
The successful candidate will teach graduate courses in statistics, quantitative methods, and research methodology in both in-person and online formats. The position will play an important role in the M.S. in Quantitative Psychology and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology programs through student advising, mentoring of master’s capstone projects, and service on doctoral committees.
The successful candidate is expected to maintain an active program of scholarship, pursue opportunities for external funding, and provide service to the department, college, university, and profession. The faculty member will also contribute methodological expertise to faculty research and collaborative projects within the department and across the university.
This position offers substantial opportunities for interdisciplinary research and methodological collaboration. We seek a collegial scholar who will contribute to the continued development of the Quantitative Psychology program and expand the department’s methodological expertise in response to evolving research and workforce demands.
Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience. Summer teaching and administrative stipends may be available consistent with university policy.
The university will consider sponsorship.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching
Teach three graduate-level research methodology/statistical analysis courses each fall and spring. Courses may be scheduled on campus or online. Scheduled course content could cover:
- Introductory Statistics
- Research Methodology
- ANOVA methodology
- Multiple Regression
- Multivariate Statistics/Data Mining
- Categorical Data Analysis
- Factor Analysis
- Latent Variable Modeling
- Psychometric/Measurement theory
- Longitudinal Data Analysis
- Multilevel Data Analysis
Scholarship
- Maintain an active research agenda resulting in dissemination through publication in refereed journals and presentation at conferences.
- Grant writing and statistical consulting are also desirable.
Service
- Lead curriculum review and continuous program improvement in MS in Quantitative Psychology.
- Actively engage in university and professional service. Advisement of Masters and Doctoral Level capstone/thesis projects. Serve as a member of department, college and university committees and act as a supportive and collaborative colleague engaging in department discussion and endeavors.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Earned doctorate in Quantitative Psychology, Educational Psychology, Statistics, Research Methodology, Measurement, or a closely related field by date of appointment.
- At least one semester (4 months) of demonstrated experience mentoring, advising graduate students, with the ability to contribute to master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation committees.
- At least one semester (4 months) regarding evidence of, or potential for, effective teaching of graduate-level quantitative methods/statistics courses.
- Evidence of, or potential for, an active program of scholarship in quantitative methodology or its applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Expertise in machine learning, data mining, and/or computational quantitative methods, particularly applications related to AI and large or complex datasets.
- Expertise in one or more additional areas such as psychometrics, latent variable modeling/structural equation modeling, Bayesian analysis, categorical or multivariate analysis, or meta-analysis.
- Experience teaching advanced quantitative methods at the graduate level, including online instruction.
- Evidence of successful interdisciplinary research collaboration and methodological consultation.
- Experience contributing quantitative/methodological expertise to externally funded research.
How to apply:
For inquiries about this opportunity, please contact Search Committee Co-chairs:
Dr. Jocelyn Bolin, jebolin@bsu.edu
Dr. Ophelie Desmet, ophelie.desmet@bsu.edu
Important: Please follow upload instructions for attaching all required documents listed below. Only complete applications will be considered.
REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS:
- Letter of Application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Statement of Research Agenda
- Within the application, please provide names and contact information for three (3) professional references.
- Note: Additional application materials may be requested later in the search process.
This position will remain open until filled, with a consideration date of October 27, 2026. Candidates submitting application materials on or before this date will receive full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
What we offer:
At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well as a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.
When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.
Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.
Curious about our excellent benefits package?
We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.
Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and download our calculator spreadsheet.
Position Title:
Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology (Tenure-Line)
Compensation:
$70,000-$75,000
Department:
Educational Psychology
Start Date:
01/10/2027
About this opportunity:
The Ball State University Department of Educational Psychology invites applications for a 9-month tenure-line faculty position in Quantitative Psychology/Quantitative Methodology. The department seeks a scholar with expertise in advanced quantitative methods who will contribute to graduate instruction, methodological research and consultation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and externally funded research. Expertise in emerging methodologies, particularly machine learning and data mining, is highly desirable.
The successful candidate will teach graduate courses in statistics, quantitative methods, and research methodology in both in-person and online formats. The position will play an important role in the M.S. in Quantitative Psychology and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology programs through student advising, mentoring of master’s capstone projects, and service on doctoral committees.
The successful candidate is expected to maintain an active program of scholarship, pursue opportunities for external funding, and provide service to the department, college, university, and profession. The faculty member will also contribute methodological expertise to faculty research and collaborative projects within the department and across the university.
This position offers substantial opportunities for interdisciplinary research and methodological collaboration. We seek a collegial scholar who will contribute to the continued development of the Quantitative Psychology program and expand the department’s methodological expertise in response to evolving research and workforce demands.
Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience. Summer teaching and administrative stipends may be available consistent with university policy.
The university will consider sponsorship.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching
Teach three graduate-level research methodology/statistical analysis courses each fall and spring. Courses may be scheduled on campus or online. Scheduled course content could cover:
- Introductory Statistics
- Research Methodology
- ANOVA methodology
- Multiple Regression
- Multivariate Statistics/Data Mining
- Categorical Data Analysis
- Factor Analysis
- Latent Variable Modeling
- Psychometric/Measurement theory
- Longitudinal Data Analysis
- Multilevel Data Analysis
Scholarship
- Maintain an active research agenda resulting in dissemination through publication in refereed journals and presentation at conferences.
- Grant writing and statistical consulting are also desirable.
Service
- Lead curriculum review and continuous program improvement in MS in Quantitative Psychology.
- Actively engage in university and professional service. Advisement of Masters and Doctoral Level capstone/thesis projects. Serve as a member of department, college and university committees and act as a supportive and collaborative colleague engaging in department discussion and endeavors.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Earned doctorate in Quantitative Psychology, Educational Psychology, Statistics, Research Methodology, Measurement, or a closely related field by date of appointment.
- At least one semester (4 months) of demonstrated experience mentoring, advising graduate students, with the ability to contribute to master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation committees.
- At least one semester (4 months) regarding evidence of, or potential for, effective teaching of graduate-level quantitative methods/statistics courses.
- Evidence of, or potential for, an active program of scholarship in quantitative methodology or its applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Expertise in machine learning, data mining, and/or computational quantitative methods, particularly applications related to AI and large or complex datasets.
- Expertise in one or more additional areas such as psychometrics, latent variable modeling/structural equation modeling, Bayesian analysis, categorical or multivariate analysis, or meta-analysis.
- Experience teaching advanced quantitative methods at the graduate level, including online instruction.
- Evidence of successful interdisciplinary research collaboration and methodological consultation.
- Experience contributing quantitative/methodological expertise to externally funded research.
How to apply:
For inquiries about this opportunity, please contact Search Committee Co-chairs:
Dr. Jocelyn Bolin, jebolin@bsu.edu
Dr. Ophelie Desmet, ophelie.desmet@bsu.edu
Important: Please follow upload instructions for attaching all required documents listed below. Only complete applications will be considered.
REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS:
- Letter of Application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Statement of Research Agenda
- Within the application, please provide names and contact information for three (3) professional references.
- Note: Additional application materials may be requested later in the search process.
This position will remain open until filled, with a consideration date of October 27, 2026. Candidates submitting application materials on or before this date will receive full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
What we offer:
At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well as a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.
When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.
Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.
Curious about our excellent benefits package?
We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.
Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and download our calculator spreadsheet.
See all 104+ OPT Psychology Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Psychology Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Psychology
Clarify your OPT authorization upfront
When applying, state your OPT status and authorization end date clearly. Many psychology employers are unfamiliar with F-1 work authorization, so a brief one-line explanation in your cover letter prevents confusion before the interview stage.
Target STEM-eligible psychology roles
Research coordinator, behavioral analyst, and data-focused clinical roles often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Prioritize universities and research institutions
Academic medical centers, university psychology departments, and federally funded research programs regularly hire OPT students. These organizations understand F-1 authorization better than most private employers and often have established processes.
Frame your thesis or practicum as real experience
Clinical practicum hours, thesis research, and supervised assessments are legitimate professional experience. Quantify the populations you worked with, assessments administered, and research outputs to make your application competitive against candidates with paid experience.
Understand the E-Verify requirement before applying
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify. Before accepting any role that relies on the extension, confirm the employer participates. Skipping this check is the most common reason STEM OPT extensions get denied.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Psychology hiring cycles at hospitals and research institutions can run 6 to 10 weeks. Submit your EAD application to USCIS at least 90 days before graduation so your card arrives before your intended start date.
Psychology OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do psychology jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Some do, but not all. Psychology degrees classified under CIP code 42.0101 are STEM-designated, which means qualifying roles in research, data analysis, or behavioral science can support a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Clinical or counseling-focused roles may not qualify if the work is not sufficiently STEM-aligned. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before counting on the extension.
Can I work as a licensed therapist or counselor on OPT?
You can work in a role that prepares you for licensure, but most U.S. states require a license to practice independently as a therapist or counselor. On OPT, you can work under licensed supervision in roles like clinical coordinator, behavioral health technician, or research associate. Independently licensed practice typically requires a separate visa and permanent work authorization, not OPT.
What types of psychology employers sponsor or support OPT students?
University research labs, academic medical centers, behavioral health nonprofits, and federal agencies like the VA and NIH are the most OPT-friendly psychology employers. Private therapy practices rarely sponsor because of their small size. To find employers actively hiring OPT students in psychology, browse Migrate Mate, which filters for roles open to F-1 work authorization.
How does the 90-day unemployment rule apply to psychology OPT jobs?
During your OPT period, you cannot accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment. Psychology job searches, especially for clinical or research roles requiring specific licenses or clearances, can take longer than expected. Start your search before graduation, apply broadly across research and behavioral health settings, and report any new employment to your DSO promptly to keep your record accurate.
Does volunteer or unpaid psychology work count toward OPT employment requirements?
Yes, unpaid work in a psychology role directly related to your degree can count as qualifying OPT employment, as long as it is not prohibited by other laws and meets DSO reporting requirements. Unpaid research positions, supervised clinical hours, and nonprofit roles can all qualify. Document the role clearly and report it to your DSO the same way you would paid employment.