Assistant Professor - Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy

Academic year (9-month) tenure-track faculty position starting August 2026.

About the role

The Department of Recreation Management and Recreational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse invites applications for an Assistant Professor. We seek candidates with expertise in Recreational Therapy and a focus in one or more of the following teaching areas: research methods and program evaluation, community-engaged learning, leisure and well-being general education, pediatric and youth populations, and/or physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Applications received by October 31, 2025, will receive full consideration; the search continues on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The College of Science & Health (CSH) is the largest academic unit at UW-La Crosse, offering state-of-the-art facilities such as the Prairie Springs Science Center and the Health Science Center. CSH supports interdisciplinary research, hands-on undergraduate and graduate education, and community engagement through partnerships like the Mayo Clinic Health System.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses, including maintaining currency in content areas, evaluating student work, assessing outcomes, providing feedback, and holding office hours.
• Maintain an active, ongoing program of scholarship appropriate to the discipline.
• Advise students and provide service to the department, college, university, community, and/or professional organizations.
• Engage in community-engaged learning and interprofessional education (IPE) through partnerships with health and human services agencies.
• Mentor student leaders, prepare students for practice in diverse therapeutic settings, and contribute to student recruitment and outreach.

Requirements

• Doctorate in Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation or related field (ABD considered; degree must be earned by the end of the first academic year).
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential.
• Evidence of effective instruction and clear communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching in higher education.
• Strong commitment to interprofessional education (IPE) and community partnerships.
• Meaningful scholarship (presentations, publications, grant involvement) supported by a focused research agenda.
• Experience mentoring student leaders and contributing to student recruitment.

Benefits

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions.
• Flexible health insurance with low co-pays and comprehensive coverage.
• Paid holidays and sick days.
• Vesting in the retirement system after 5 years of employment.
• Benefits are highly competitive and pro-rated based on appointment percentage.