The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Counseling Center announced two Postdoctoral Psychology Fellow positions designed to prepare recent doctoral graduates for independent licensure through intensive clinical training, according to ScholarNexus. The 12-month fellowship begins in the summer of 2026 and operates within the Division of Student Affairs at the R2 doctoral institution, which serves a diverse student body of nearly 18,000 individuals.
Core Responsibilities and Clinical Services
Fellows engage in comprehensive clinical services, including time-effective individual counseling while managing active caseloads, facilitating group therapy, running psycho-educational workshops, conducting campus-wide outreach programming, and providing 24/7 crisis intervention with a mandatory on-call rotation that includes holiday coverage, as reported by ScholarNexus. Other tasks specified by the facility comprise crafting a major consultation initiative matching center requirements, presenting professional development sessions, overseeing graduate trainees, and engaging in campus discussions concerning student psychological issues affecting academic success.
Training Structure and Supervision
The program delivers 2,000 supervised clinical hours designed to meet North Carolina and most state licensure requirements through weekly individual supervision of a minimum of two hours, case conferences, and specialized seminars. Dr. Nancy McKean, Assistant Director/Training Director, oversees the fellowship curriculum, which emphasizes developmental perspectives, ethical decision-making, and crisis management protocols. Fellows receive tailored supervision to address diverse client presentations while navigating university-specific contexts such as academic stressors and campus community dynamics.
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
Mandatory qualifications include an APA or CPA-accredited doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology with the dissertation completed prior to the fellowship start date, alongside strong interpersonal and clinical skills demonstrated through prior college counseling experience, according to ScholarNexus. Applicants must have received their degree within three years of application, covering 2023 through 2026 graduates. Preference goes to candidates with university counseling center experience, outreach programming skills, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity-informed practice with marginalized student populations.
Candidates must submit a cover letter specifying relevant skill sets, a curriculum vitae, and three professional references through the UNCW online portal by January 26, 2026. Incomplete applications face disqualification, and final candidates must undergo criminal background checks. Transcripts must verify degree completion, though program director letters are accepted temporarily if official transcripts are pending.
Professional Development and Institutional Context
Beyond clinical duties, fellows gain administrative experience through committee participation, program development, and cross-departmental collaborations. The position builds proficiencies in university psychology roles, crisis response systems, and multicultural counseling, simultaneously getting alumni ready for varied career trajectories within community mental health settings, private practice, or academic counseling facilities. Operating within a coastal R2 university renowned for student-centered programming, the position provides fellows with exposure to complex cases in a supportive Student Affairs environment.
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