Assistant Professor- Special Education

Northeastern Illinois University • Chicago, IL

1d • $65,000 - $68,000

About The Position

Northeastern Illinois University’s Programs in Special Education, within the Department of Literacy, Leadership, Development and Special Education, invite applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning August 2027. The successful candidate will join faculty preparing reflective, equity-minded special education professionals to serve students with disabilities and their families in diverse schools and communities. The programs include undergraduate, graduate, licensure, and endorsement pathways: the B.A. in Special Education (LBS I), M.A. in Special Education (LBS I), and M.S. in Special Education (LBS II). The candidate should have broad special education expertise and be able to contribute across undergraduate and graduate programs. Experience in special education administration, educational leadership, program development, educator preparation, or systems-level improvement is of particular interest.

The candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses across programs, campus locations, and online, hybrid, and in-person modalities. Teaching areas may include disability characteristics and education, assessment, evidence-based instruction, behavioral support, curriculum adaptation, collaboration, inclusion, policy, and leadership. The role also includes scholarship, advising and mentoring candidates, curriculum development and assessment, service, collaboration with school and community partners, oversight of clinical and field experiences, support for accreditation and program review, recruitment and retention, and pursuit of grants and partnerships. The faculty member will participate in shared governance and collaborative program and department work.

Applicants must hold an earned Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Special Education or a closely related field from an accredited institution. ABD candidates may be considered if all doctoral requirements will be completed and the degree awarded by August 1, 2027. Candidates should demonstrate substantive special education expertise, knowledge of contemporary evidence-based practices in K–12 settings, special education teaching experience, ability to teach across the programs, commitment to teaching, scholarship, and service in a diverse urban university, and ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds. A background check is required. The salary range is $65,000–$68,000. University employees may be eligible for State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System. The position is contingent upon the University's receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.

Requirements

• Earned Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Special Education or a closely related field, such as Educational Psychology, from an accredited institution; ABD candidates may be considered if the degree is awarded no later than August 1, 2027.
• Graduate preparation, scholarship, and/or professional experience demonstrating substantive expertise in special education.
• Knowledge of contemporary evidence-based practices for educating students with disabilities in K–12 settings.
• K–12 special education teaching experience, preferably as a licensed special education teacher.
• Ability to teach a broad range of undergraduate and/or graduate courses within the Programs in Special Education.
• Commitment to effective teaching, scholarship, and service in a diverse urban university environment.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with candidates, faculty, school professionals, families, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

• Professional credentials, licensure, endorsements, or substantial experience in special education administration or educational leadership focused on special education programs and services.
• Experience serving students with disabilities across multiple instructional environments, grade levels, disability categories, or service-delivery models.
• Experience developing or participating in externally funded grants or sponsored projects in higher education or educator preparation.
• Experience with accreditation, state program approval, licensure review, or continuous-improvement processes, particularly involving CAEP, the Illinois State Board of Education, Council for Exceptional Children standards, or comparable bodies.
• Higher education teaching experience, particularly in educator preparation programs.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, coaching, or evaluating special education teachers, related-service professionals, or other school personnel.
• Experience with special education program administration, compliance, instructional leadership, systems-level implementation, or improvement initiatives in schools or districts.
• Expertise in advanced special education practice, including curriculum adaptation, behavioral intervention, assessment, inclusive education, instructional technology, or collaboration.
• Experience teaching or mentoring graduate candidates preparing for advanced leadership or specialist roles in special education.
• Evidence of successful scholarly activity, including peer-reviewed publications and professional conference presentations.
• Experience using candidate, program, or outcome data for accreditation reporting, program evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Experience developing or revising university curricula, academic programs, endorsements, certificates, or educator preparation pathways.
• Experience establishing partnerships among universities, schools, districts, professional organizations, or community agencies.
• Demonstrated potential for leadership within university-based special education programs.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses across the Special Education programs and campus locations in online, hybrid, and in-person formats, according to program needs and the candidate’s expertise.
• Teach topics including disability characteristics and education, assessment, evidence-based instruction, behavioral support, curriculum adaptation, collaboration, inclusive practices, policy, and leadership.
• Maintain an active scholarly program resulting in peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and other scholarly or professional contributions.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate candidates as they progress through academic, clinical, licensure, and professional requirements.
• Participate in curriculum development, program assessment, and continuous program improvement.
• Contribute to program, department, college, university, and professional service.
• Collaborate with faculty, school districts, community partners, and stakeholders to strengthen educator preparation and professional learning.
• Participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating clinical and field-based special education experiences.
• Support educator preparation accreditation, state approval, licensure, and program review activities.
• Contribute to recruitment, retention, and support initiatives for undergraduate and graduate candidates.
• Pursue external funding, grants, partnerships, and other initiatives advancing the programs and college.
• Participate in shared governance and collaborative work within the programs and department.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

What This Job Offers

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