Assistant/Associate Professor of Special Education

Nevada State College • Henderson, NV

59d

About The Position

Nevada State University's Special Education program invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. This faculty member will teach undergraduate courses in special education and actively engage in research and professional service. The successful candidate will contribute to the continued growth and effectiveness of the Special Education Program, helping to prepare effective teachers to meet the diverse needs of today's school districts. About the School of Education at Nevada State: Nevada State, especially the School of Education, is an exciting place to work. More than 1000 undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students are currently pursuing licensure programs in elementary, special, & secondary education, and speech-language pathology. An Ed.S. program in School Psychology launched in fall of 2024 and welcomed its second cohort in fall 2025. Over the past decade, the NS School of Education (SOE) has made bold steps to address the need for locally preparing more teachers and speech pathologists. The first master's degree on the campus, a MA in Speech-Language Pathology launched four years ago. Teacher Academies have been built in partnership with local high schools. Aligned and enhanced articulation agreements with Nevada's two-year colleges have been forged. Extensive systems to support the success of SOE undergraduate and graduate students have been implemented. In 2021, the School of Education took another bold step in the early childhood education domain. Nevada's first baccalaureate level dual licensure in early childhood/early childhood special education program was launched, followed by the opening of an Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). The Program is housed in the Christenson Education Building and is thriving and meeting the needs and closing the gaps in the community. About the Special Education Program at Nevada State: The Nevada State Special Education program offers two undergraduate degrees, one in Elementary Education with Concentrations in Special Education (Generalist) and English Language Acquisition and Development (ELAD) and a second in Special Education with a Concentration in Autism. The Program is focused on training highly qualified practitioners to work in PK-12 schools. Courses are offered in a variety of instructional modalities including in-person, online synchronous and asynchronous, and hybrid as well as offered in the day, late afternoons and evenings to accommodate working professionals. The curriculum is comprehensive, evidence-based, and aligned with national standards and state licensure requirements. It prepares students to be competent in human development, methods, assessment, intervention, consultation, legal/ethical practice, and cultural responsiveness. The program includes a comprehensive blend of coursework, field experiences, and student teaching. The Program is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. About the institution: Nevada State University, a four-year Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI), Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else. Nevada State University continues to grow as an institution of higher education. In Fall 2024, the enrollment surpassed 7,500, with 7,464 undergraduate students and 85 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 41% are Hispanic, 13% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 9% are Black/African American, 22% are White, and 6% are multiracial. We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically, fully engage, and flourish. In order to strengthen the university and progress its mission, the university dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of Nevada State University, the surrounding communities, and the State of Nevada. We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community. We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

Requirements

• Must hold qualifications that may be equivalent to the rank of Assistant/Associate Professor upon review by the Nevada State University Promotion and Tenure Committee.
• Doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D.) in Special Education or Closely Related Discipline. (Candidates who are ABD are eligible and encouraged to apply with the expectation that the Ph.D. will be completed by July 31, 2026).
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience working as a K-12 special education teacher or in related positions working with adults with disabilities.
• Commitment to and/or Demonstrated record of research, scholarly, and/or creative productivity in the area of special education (Associate).
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor visas for international employees).

Nice To Haves

• Expertise and/or experience in preparing teachers to work with students with low incidence disabilities and/or autism.
• Demonstrated record of effective teaching in higher education.
• Experience teaching at the college/university level in face to face, online, and/or hybrid modalities.
• Experience working effectively in an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.
• Evidence of service to the profession, campus, and/or community.

Responsibilities

• Teach 24 credits per academic year with opportunities for teaching in summers.
• Assist with the special education program in curriculum development and revisions and program assessment.
• Assist with the preparation of AAQEP accreditation documentation, processes and activities.
• Assist with recruitment and retention of students.
• Advise and mentor students in academic and professional development situations.
• Engage in service to the school, college, and profession at the local, state and national level.
• Engage in scholarship, including scholarship of teaching, in areas consistent with the discipline.
• Collaborate with others to apply for and secure external funding for program development and growth.
• Demonstrated dedication to working with diverse and first-generation student populations.

Benefits

• Nevada State University offers excellent benefits, including 19.25% retirement match, beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree