Program Specialist Jobs in Texas

Senior Program Specialist, Department of Counseling - (SIM00000220)

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

SMU's CACREP-accredited M.S. in Counseling program provides the comprehensive training and culturally sensitive skills necessary for future counselors to empower individuals and families to achieve psychological growth and mental well-being.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Senior Program Specialist provides support to the Department Chair, Program Director, and all faculty, staff and students in the Department of Counseling. The role assists the Chair & Director in every administrative and operational aspect of running the program from academic course planning and scheduling; instructor/adjunct assignments; faculty load documentation and compensation; and budget and scholarship administration.

The position manages day to day operations to ensure that all aspects of the program are working together efficiently and effectively.

Essential Functions:

• Support Chair and Program Director. Submit all compensation documentation and required forms for adjunct faculty. Support Chair with data collection and analysis related to CACREP accreditation and program evaluation efforts.
• Admission/Recruitment - Organize informational sessions for prospective applicants 4 times a month. Oversee admissions and review and process all admission applications for Fall, Spring and Summer, assign to faculty for review and invite top applicants to interview. Organize and help facilitate several interview sessions (PONI Day) each semester.
• Manage student orientation, group advising, enrollment and withdrawals, as well as provide reports and communications to Chair, Program Director, and advisors concerning both anticipated class needs and results of enrollment (enrollment numbers, revenue, class sizes). Support annual faculty orientation and on-boarding of new adjunct faculty.
• Organize and coordinate student conferrals 3 times per year - communicate with students regarding requirements, enable online ACG's and ceremony selection, ensure students have met all requirements for their chosen conferral date, coordinate with Clinic and Internship Directors to monitor student progress through Practicum/Internship classes and toward graduation requirements.
• Oversee functions related to preparing for classes at the beginning of each semester including compensation and VIQ submissions, and oversee functions related to finalizing classes at the end of each of five terms (communication to all instructors in advance of finals; ensures grades are submitted in a timely manner, ensures required paperwork is submitted for grades of Incomplete, ensures grades of Incomplete are assigned appropriately, and completed before deadline.
• Closely monitor student enrollment during registration periods to ensure students are enrolling in appropriate classes based on the specialty and elective concentrations they have declared and reach out to students who have not enrolled to offer assistance.
• Manage and enter student scholarships, ensuring that they are applied to the appropriate students in the appropriate amount, confirm academic eligibility each semester, and cancel scholarships when a student withdraws. Provide scholarship monitoring and run reports as needed.
• Assist Program Director with course schedule for each of the five terms, determine class needs, instructor assignments, periodically create and disseminate survey to all students to determine class needs for future terms. Manage class scheduling, faculty/adjunct assignments, load and compensation for each semester.
• Provide website updates as needed. Upload new adjunct faculty bios and pictures and keep faculty profiles up-to-date. Update scholarship, admission, and curricular information online. Add updated student handbooks to the website each year as well as annual assessment reports and vital statistic surveys.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in social sciences, humanities, business and/or human resources.

A minimum of five years of work experience in office management/administration is required. Experience in program operations is strongly preferred. Previous supervisory experience desired. Experience in higher education is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Strong conflict resolutions skills and an ability to deescalate tense situations are essential.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills with an ability to handle multiple, simultaneous projects. The ability to delegate tasks to other administrative staff and graduate students is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate the ability to work independently, take initiative and manage frequent interruptions. Must also have the ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing priorities and needs. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Experience with and/or a strong knowledge of website development and maintenance preferred. Knowledge of PeopleSoft preferred. A strong technical aptitude with the ability to learn new software quickly is essential.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.

Deadline to Apply:

July 6, 2026.

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by June 24, 2026.

EEO Statement

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.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas
Job: Administrative Managers & Professionals
Organization: Simmons School of Education
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Staff
Employee Status: Individual Contributor
Job Type: Full-time
Job Level: Day Job
Travel: No
Job Posting: Jun 17, 2026, 8:05:45 AM