Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Music in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education. This is a nine-month, in-person faculty appointment beginning in August 2027, with a standard workload of 40% research/creative activities, 40% teaching, and 20% service. The salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Teaching assignments may include undergraduate and graduate instrumental music education methods and other courses based on departmental needs. The position includes engagement with regional and state public-school teachers and evaluation of students in student-teaching internships. Responsibilities may also include advising undergraduate honors theses and graduate theses and research projects. Additional duties include departmental service, curriculum development, and scholarly or creative work consistent with rank and university expectations. Other duties may be assigned based on departmental needs.

The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional teaching skills and potential for scholarly and/or creative distinction. Effective communication, collegiality, and a cooperative spirit are essential. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance, along with the ability to maintain collegial and harmonious working relationships, are essential job duties. The position requires extensive in-person engagement, including office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings.

The University of Arkansas Department of Music is located in the George and Boyce Billingsley Music Building on the Fayetteville campus. It has more than 300 music majors, minors, and graduate students, and a faculty of more than 45 scholars, pedagogues, and musicians. The department offers bachelor's and master's degrees and a doctorate in Conducting, and supports a range of ensembles and community engagement activities.

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the candidate’s qualifications and experience, a curriculum vitae, a link to a teaching video recording, and three professional references with name, title, email address, and telephone number. Applications received by November 19, 2026, will receive full consideration; review will begin then and continue until the position is filled. Pre-employment screening includes a criminal background check and sex offender registry check. Applicants must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on their first day of employment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in Music Education from an accredited institution of higher education, conferred by the date of initial appointment.
• Demonstrated record of public-school-level experience with expertise in instrumental music pedagogy.
• Exceptional teaching skills and potential for scholarly and/or creative distinction.
• Effective communication, collegiality, and a cooperative spirit.
• Ability to perform the position’s in-person duties, including office hours, student advising, and committee meetings.
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• University-level teaching experience, including methods courses, student-teacher or internship supervision, and student mentorship.
• Active involvement in professional music education organizations, such as serving as an active clinician.
• Record of successful publication and external funding.
• Demonstrated experience in Orff and/or Kodaly.
• Ability to develop effective undergraduate and graduate instrumental music classes that complement the current course catalog.
• Experience in K-12 music education curriculum design.
• Experience with 21st-century classroom technologies and teaching strategies.
• Experience with student-centered pedagogy.
• Experience in another area of music education, such as education of students with exceptionalities.
• Evidence of being an active, involved, and collegial member of a collaborative faculty team on campus and in relevant national service organizations.
• Strong interpersonal communication, as evidenced by the application package.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate instrumental music education methods and other courses based on departmental needs.
• Interact with regional and state public-school teachers.
• Evaluate students in student-teaching internships.
• Advise undergraduate honors theses and graduate theses and research projects, as needed.
• Conduct scholarly and/or creative activities consistent with rank and university expectations.
• Participate in departmental service and curriculum development.
• Attend and engage in person in office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance and collegial working relationships.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5% to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree