Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education

Job description

Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education

The Department of Special Education at Bridgewater State University (BSU) invites applications for the position of full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Special Education. The mission of the department is to prepare special educators and related professionals to teach, lead, and serve in a diverse and evolving global society. The department offers programs designed to meet the needs of undergraduate students who are interested in obtaining Massachusetts initial licensure area of Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-2, PreK-8, or 5-12) or as a Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (PreK-2, or all levels). The department also offers two minors designed to meet the needs of undergraduate students who have an interest in students with disabilities. At the graduate level the department offers nine different M.Ed. programs that provide initial and professional licenses in Moderate and Severe disabilities, non-licensure, and qualifications as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. There are also four certificate programs for transition specialists, autism, social emotional learning, and applied behavior analysis. The Department supports a variety of off-campus cohort programs that provide qualifications for licensure, complete M.Ed. programs, or complete certificate programs. The Department is growing its leadership capacity for this Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programming and is seeking a faculty member to guide the M.Ed. pathway to Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification and the graduate ABA certificate program.

The special education licensure programs at Bridgewater State University meet all Massachusetts Department of Education licensure requirements and standards established by the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC). The department's Applied Behavior Analysis coursework is designed to align with standards set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The Department of Special Education at Bridgewater State University is part of a cohesive campus community that provides professional opportunities for faculty advancement in teaching and scholarship and a clear path to tenure. Funding for faculty scholarship is available through the Center for the Advancement of Research and Scholarship as well as the Office of Teaching and Learning. There is also a significant institutional commitment to undergraduate research and international engagement. Bridgewater State University is committed to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among its faculty, staff and students, and to strengthening a justice-informed identity as identified in our strategic plan. This emphasis is reflected throughout the University's curricular and co-curricular activities. The University values scholarship and other ways in which faculty express their professional contributions and accomplishments. This flexibility sustains the need for faculty excellence, while also recognizing the diversity of talents and interests of our faculty as they move up the tenure ladder. Bridgewater State University is an inclusive community dedicated to the lifelong success of all students; focused on the continuous improvement of its people; and is responsible for leading innovation that benefits Southeastern Massachusetts, the Commonwealth, and the world. Bridgewater's accessible environment of teaching and learning stimulates critical thinking and the pursuit of new knowledge and deeper understanding. The teaching and learning environment at Bridgewater also cultivates meaningful and diverse interpersonal relationships and fosters an appreciation for global engagement aimed at transforming lives and improving the human condition. Our commitment to equity, and inclusion is reflected in our institutional values, which ensure that all students are supported and succeed.

The Department of Special Education invites applications for a tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin in September of 2027. The successful candidate will work with undergraduate and graduate students. Teaching responsibility include undergraduate Special Education major and graduate programs, both in licensure and non-licensure, supervising student practicum, and advising undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate will model effective practices relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Other responsibilities include academic advising and practicum supervision in the department's teacher licensure programs. The successful applicant will collaborate with departmental faculty and engage with College of Education & Health Sciences colleagues and other internal and external partners on the assessment, refinement, and expansion of existing programs. This position requires regularly scheduled office hours for student consultation.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the successful candidate will serve as lead faculty and program coordinator for the department's BCBA-qualifying coursework and Applied Behavior Analysis certificate program. This includes ensuring the curriculum meets Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) requirements and current task list standards; coordinating supervised fieldwork and practicum placements for students pursuing BCBA certification; and leading efforts to secure, maintain, or renew BACB program approval, including any transition to BACB Pathway 1 accreditation requirements.

Required Qualifications - Earned PhD or Ed.D. in Education or closely related discipline from an accredited university by September 1, 2027, along with documented coursework highly relevant to special education teacher education. Successful applicants must provide official transcripts documenting academic credentials required for the position as a condition of employment. Minimum three years experience teaching students with disabilities in P-12 settings. Commitment to public higher education. Experience in assessing and teaching courses in teacher education at the college/university level to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for teacher candidates. Ability to advise students working towards the Massachusetts special education licensure endorsement for teachers of students with moderate and severe disabilities. Demonstrated ability to design and teach online, and incorporate technology use into student learning. Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and advising; to working in a university community that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and multiple perspectives; and to excellence in PreK-12 education for all. Effective interpersonal, collaboration, and oral and written communication skills with students and colleagues, including those from diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. Current, active certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or BCBA-D, in good standing with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Experience providing BACB-compliant supervision to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or individuals pursuing BCBA certification.

Preferred Qualifications - Preference given to individuals with: Content knowledge and teaching experience in literacy across the lifespan. Demonstrated expertise in special education assessment (psychometrician). Expertise in cultural and linguistically sustaining pedagogy. Experience and/or knowledge of the special education teacher licensure processes in Massachusetts. Evidence of scholarly activity and contribution to the content of the discipline. Experience designing, coordinating, or securing BACB approval for a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) or comparable ABA/BCBA program. Experience leading or growing an Applied Behavior Analysis or BCBA-preparation program at the college/university level.

Special Conditions for Eligibility - Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. Bridgewater State University is an E-Verify employer. At present, the university can only sponsor employment-based visas, including H1-B petitions, that are not subject to the current $100,000 fee or any other similar or related fees imposed through U.S. immigration regulations, laws, executive orders, etc. The university will continue to monitor the ongoing changes in U.S. immigration regulations and it reserves the right to modify this policy as the regulatory and legal landscapes change. Salary is commensurate with experience in accordance with the Appendix O of the MSCA contract. A reasonable starting salary range to expect for a new faculty member appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor is $75,000 to $85,000.

EEO Statement - Bridgewater State University is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

Worksite address

bridgewater, MA, 02324, US

Who can apply

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