Adjunct Professor - California School of Professional Psychology

The psychology school continues its commitment to preparing the next generation of mental health professionals and advocates. Our dedication to ensuring every community's access to quality mental health care extends from integrated care to inclusive family therapy, and our psychology students and alumni begin making an impact in the communities they serve from the moment they set foot in our classrooms.

Adjunct professors are in the following programs/courses:

Specific Courses:

Fall 2025 (Aug 18, 2025 - Nov 28, 2025)

Introduction to Behavioral Medicine/Health Service Psychology (3 units)

Introduction to the emerging fields of behavioral medicine and health psychology. Surveys the areas of epidemiology, stress and health, personality factors in health and illness, chronic pain, health promotion and management of chronic illness.

Research Methods

Biological Bases of Behavior (3 units)

Presentation of the anatomy and physiology of the human central nervous system, neuroanatomy, hormonal and chemical regulation. Discussion focuses on concepts of arousal, the acquisition and processing of information, adaptation to environment, motivation, activity, sleep, behavior genetics. Contemporary research and diagnostic technologies concerned with brain function are reviewed as are chemical and electrophysiological aspects. Various topics include the clinical course, manifestations and implications of various brain pathologies and possible organic contributions to behavioral or psychological dysfunctions commonly encountered in the clinical setting.

Foundations of Neuropsychology (3 units)

Study of functional neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and neuropsychological assessment. Focus on developing the foundational knowledge needed to understand the process and results of neuropsychological evaluations.

Principles of Research Design (3 units)

Principles and methods of designing psychological research. Hypothesis generation and testing, experimental and quasi-experimental design options, sample selection, control group strategies, criteria and criterion measures, threats to valid inference, data analysis and interpretation.

History and Systems of Psychology (1 unit)
This course will teach the students the history and systems of psychology, so that they can place current trends and issues into a historical context. Students will increase their awareness of the foundations of psychology, the major historical developments, systems of thought, and the pioneers of the field through an overview of the History and Systems of Psychology.

Introduction to Psychotherapy (2 units)

This course is designed as an introduction to the psychotherapeutic process. It embraces both the theoretical bases of psychotherapy and its practical expression. The principal thrust will be the development of a soundly based understanding of therapeutic intervention. Students are expected to gain an understanding of the basic concepts of psychotherapy including: essential therapeutic skills, stages of psychotherapy, the difference between process and content, the relationship of diagnosis to treatment planning, evaluation of outcomes, values and ethics, and the implication of diversity to treatment.

Developmental Psychology/Lifespan Development (3 units)
The study of developmental theories, constructs, research and research methods as they contribute to an understanding of normative human development and its variants. Psychological development from conception through aging and death are covered. Contemporary issues and trends are discussed.

Spring 2025 (Jan 13, 2024 - May 2, 2025)

PSY75010 - Theory and Practice of Psychotherapy Individual (CBT) (3 units)

Introduction to CBT as a framework for understanding the patient's communications-verbal and nonverbal- symptoms and behavioral manifestations with an emphasis on the therapist's interventions. Special consideration will be given to the specific problems introduced into therapy by different sexual and ethnic contexts.

Cognitive Affective Bases of Behavior (3 units)
An overview of the interdependencies of cognition and emotion. Discussion of the cognitive processing systems will include research on creative thinking, conscious and unconscious processing, problem solving and cognitive structure. Related areas of sensation, perception, memory, learning, cognition, emotion, motivation and psychophysiological processes are explored. Discussion of emotion will focus on cognitive precursors and consequences of emotional states, as well as the biological and social bases of emotion.

Position Summary:

Adjunct Faculty are scholars and professionals, who teach in their area(s) of specialization and expertise. The primary affiliation of adjunct faculty is not with the university.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Facilitating Classroom and Distance/Distributed Learning.
• Course and syllabus preparation.
• Class curriculum coordination and planning.
• Assessment and evaluation of learners.
• Mentoring and advising students.
• Holding office hours and meeting with students.
• Research/scholarship mentoring and supervision.

Skills:

• Proficient computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
• The ability to work independently and be self-motivated.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail and the ability to problem solve.
• The ability to explain complex requirements in clear and concise terms.
• The ability to be flexible with workflow to meet the needs of the department and students and to manage multiple tasks per required deadlines.
• The drive to encourage, direct, hold accountable and guide candidates toward task completion.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work as an effective team member and develop trusting relationships with students and Alliant employees, as well as the Registrar's Office and various academic departments.
• Culturally humble and ability to communicate and interact effectively with diverse people.
• Highly motivated, focused and results oriented.
• Ability to exercise discretion and tact in all interpersonal interactions, and to maintain confidentiality.
• Collaboration and partnering with other university stakeholders to support candidate success.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.

Starting Salary: $36 hourly.
Minimum Requirements:

Education:Doctoral or other terminal degree in Psychology or associated field,from an accredited college or university.
Experience:Appropriate experience in the areas(s) of specialization and expertise.
Certifications, Licenses, etc.:Clinical Psychology license required for clinical courses.

Supervisory Responsibility:
Direct Reports: Possible student teaching assistant.
Indirect Reports: None.
Office Location: On Campus.
Work Hours: Standard office hours, occasional evenings or weekends may be required depending upon course schedule.
Travel: None.