Assistant Professor, Tenure Track - Special Education

Department of Special Education

The University of Missouri - Columbia (MU) Department of Special Education seeks to recruit an energetic, highly motivated, and innovative scholar in special education, specializing in academic areas (e.g., literacy, mathematics, STEM) including a focus on academic assessment, intervention, and/or data-based instruction. The successful candidate must have an earned doctorate in special education or a closely related field, direct teaching experience with children or youth with disabilities, and qualities that will lead to development of a strong record in research, teaching, and service. This person will establish/maintain an active research program focused on evidence-based academic intervention and/or assessment. Teaching and advising will connect the faculty with students across our undergraduate, masters, and PhD programs. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate competence in contributing to continuous program improvement, national accreditation reporting, and service at the departmental, college, campus, state and national levels.

Candidates for this position must display evidence of initial scholarly productivity and ability to build/grow a competitive research portfolio aimed at securing external funding. This tenure-track position includes a start-up package containing reduced initial teaching, service, and advising loads, moving expenses, computer and technology resources, mentoring and support, a graduate assistant, research funds, and grant support. Merit, promotion, and tenure considerations are based primarily on scholarly productivity, excellence in teaching, participation in service to the college and the field, and procurement of external funding.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain an active program of research and scholarship with the potential for external funding.
• Teach courses related to academic interventions and assessment in education consistent with the program and departmental needs.
• Advise and provide research supervision to doctoral students and serve on dissertation committees for students in the department or college.
• Provide leadership to the program, department, college, and university.

An earned doctorate in special education or a closely related field, direct teaching experience with children or youth with disabilities, and qualities that will lead to development of a strong record in research, teaching, and service.

Applicants will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:

1. Record of (or demonstrated potential for) scholarly productivity
2. Success as a collaborator on a scholarly or instructional team
3. Ability to teach and mentor prospective and in-service teachers in special education
4. Ability to work and engage collegially with individuals from PK-12 settings as well as with department, university, and community members

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Apply on-line at http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic. Upload a complete application including:

1. Letter of application describing qualifications for the position and research agenda;
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) that details scholarship, prior teaching experiences, related work history, grants, advising, service, and awards/honors. In addition, at the end of the CV, include a list of names and contact information for three professional references.

Search Committee Chair: Dr. Delinda van Garderen

Review of applications will begin November 30, 2026, and continue until filled.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

The College of Education & Human Development and SPED

The University of Missouri College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) prepares and supports professionals in education, information, lifespan, and intervention sciences that improve the quality of life and economic development for the people of Missouri, the nation and the world.

The College's mission is fulfilled by taking a comprehensive, collaborative approach across a wide range of disciplines and professions, including educator preparation, leadership, counseling, early childhood education, special education, higher education, public policy, family and lifespan development, information sciences and technology.

The CEHD serves more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students across a broad portfolio of bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral programs. Nationally recognized for the strength and breadth of its academic programs, the College ranks among the nation's top 30 graduate schools of education and among the top 20 public institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report. Several of its programs also hold strong national rankings, including special education, online education, educational administration, and library and information studies. The College has a substantial research and outreach footprint, with nearly $47 million in annual research expenditures supporting work that advances education, human development, and information sciences, as well as outreach activities extending throughout Missouri and beyond.

The Department of Special Education (SPED), established in 1968, is the oldest stand-alone department of Special Education west of the Mississippi River, and one of six academic units within the MU College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). SPED offers programs for students seeking undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees. The undergraduate program is focused on pre-service teacher preparation in mild/moderate cross-categorical disabilities. Master's programs, both on-line and on-campus, focus on advanced teacher professional development in areas including: Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism, Behavioral Disorders, Early Childhood Special Education, Gifted Education, Learning Disabilities, and Special Education Administration. Department Faculty actively seek and secure federal funding to support masters and doctoral students through federal training and leadership grants. The department offers Doctoral programs to establish leaders in Special Education across research and teacher preparation in the following areas: Learning Disabilities, Behavioral Disorders, Assessment and Intervention, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Autism, and Early Childhood Special Education. Admitted doctoral students are encouraged to apply for tuition and fiscal support through federally funded research programs, as well as college and university funding.

SPED faculty members are consistently recognized - internationally and across the U.S. - for their individual and collaborative research excellence. SPED and CEHD are home to several state and federally supported training, demonstration, and research projects, including the Center for School-Wide Positive Behavioral Supports, the Center for the Prevention of School Violence, the Center for Social and Behavioral Competence, and the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. The department has the highest per faculty member external funding average in the College of Education and Human Development.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.