Assistant Professor of Education

Oakland University’s Department of Human Development and Child Studies (HDCS) invites applications for a tenure-track, benefits-eligible Assistant Professor position in the Special Education area, with a primary focus on the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) graduate program. The appointment begins August 15, 2027.

About the role

The successful candidate will teach graduate coursework in ABA, mentor graduate students, maintain an active scholarly agenda, and contribute to departmental, school, university, and professional service. The standard teaching load is three courses in one semester and two in the other. Teaching responsibilities include mentorship and supervision of graduate students in the Experiential Learning/Exit Project sequence and may include courses such as Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Behavior Change Procedures, and other graduate-level ABA courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise and program needs. The candidate will also support the growth and quality of the ABA program, including ABAI Recognition and future accreditation efforts.

Responsibilities

• Teach graduate-level ABA courses (e.g., Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Behavior Change Procedures).
• Mentor and supervise graduate students in scholarly, clinical, and experiential learning activities, including the Experiential Learning/Exit Project sequence.
• Maintain an active research agenda and pursue scholarly productivity.
• Contribute to departmental, school, university, and professional service.
• Support ABAI Recognition and future accreditation efforts for the ABA program.

Requirements

• Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or Psy.D.) in applied behavior analysis, behavior analysis, or a closely related field (e.g., psychology, special education, school psychology). Candidates who are ABD (all but dissertation) with expected degree completion by August 15, 2027, may be considered.
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in good standing, eligible for licensure in Michigan, and eligible to supervise trainees accruing supervised fieldwork (i.e., completion of the 8-hr BACB supervision training).
• Ability to mentor and supervise graduate students in scholarly, clinical, and experiential learning activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to the science-based practice of behavior analysis and evidence-based, data-driven decision-making.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity or strong potential for an active research agenda that complements existing faculty expertise.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and organizational communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications.
• Potential for obtaining extramural funding through grants and contracts.
• Evidence of successful teaching in face-to-face, hybrid, and/or online learning environments, or strong potential for excellence in teaching.
• Experience teaching graduate-level courses in behavior analysis.
• Experience supervising student research, capstone projects, theses/thesis-like activities, dissertations, or comparable scholarly activities.
• Experience providing behavior-analytic services across educational, clinical, community, vocational, employment, or post-secondary settings.
• Commitment to (or experience in) contributing to ABAI Recognition, accreditation, assessment, and continuous program improvement efforts.

About the department

HDCS includes Special Education and Early Childhood programs. The Special Education area offers programs in ABA, Emotional Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The department currently has nine faculty members, five of whom are primarily assigned to Special Education.

About Oakland University

Oakland University is located on 1,443 acres in Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills, Michigan. The university offers 142 bachelor’s degree programs and 138 graduate degree and certificate programs across the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Education and Human Services, School of Engineering and Computer Science, School of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing. As an anchor institution in southeastern Michigan, Oakland University is dedicated to community and civic engagement.

Review of applications will begin September 7, 2027, and continue until the position is filled. For further information, contact Dr. Michael Kranak, Chair of the Search Committee, at kranak@oakland.edu.