Assistant Teaching Professor of Special Education

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

About the Role

This is a Full-Time, Non-Tenure-Line faculty position with a renewable 36-week appointment to support the Special Education certification program. We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals who share our commitment to teaching, scholarship, and service. The successful candidate will contribute to efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for students, foster robust, collaborative scholarship, and engage in service activities supporting institutional goals.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Special Education or a related area and a special education teaching certification (required before starting appointment in August 2026).
• Expertise in special education, literacy, and teacher preparation.
• Understanding of the role of special education services for schools, communities, students, and families.
• Working knowledge of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements for special education courses and certificate programs.
• Record of teaching, understanding of current special education practices, and scholarship in a relevant field.

About the School

Penn State Harrisburg is a campus of the Pennsylvania State University, enrolling 4,600 students in residential instruction and an additional 1,000 students in online programs. The college offers two associates, 35 baccalaureate, 25 master's, and three doctoral degrees.

The School of Behavioral Sciences and Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs in health and social sciences and teacher education, including degrees in biobehavioral health, human development and family studies, kinesiology, nursing, communication sciences and disorders, psychology, sociology, elementary and secondary education, clinical psychology, applied behavior analysis, speech-language pathology, and teaching and curriculum.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans.
• 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children.

Responsibilities

• Teach 12 credits (usually four courses) each semester in person on campus, including educational psychology, social foundations, early childhood courses, and general education courses.
• Design courses according to Pennsylvania Department of Education teacher education competencies.
• Assess students appropriately and model best practices.
• Supervise student teachers (if requested).
• Advise and mentor students.
• Engage in service to campus and university.
• Pursue continuing scholarly and professional development.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. (preferred); a master's degree with teaching experience may be considered.
• Background in elementary education and experience teaching in early childhood classrooms and in higher education (preferred).
• Evidence of successful teaching experience and a professional development plan.

PA Act 153 clearance (PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, and PA Child Abuse History Clearance) may be required prior to commencement of employment.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Special Education for the PDE Instructional I certification program (PK-12).
• Teach three courses per semester (in person), including core curriculum and first-year program courses.
• Produce research output in the relevant field of specialization.

Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or its equivalent from an accredited institution by August 2026.
• Special education certificate or equivalent expertise at the pre-college level.
• Expertise in and experience working with children and young adults.
• Expertise in and experience utilizing best practices and current research in teaching methodologies.
• Proficient college teaching experience, including face-to-face and online formats.
• Familiarity and experience using instructional technologies for teacher education, including cloud computing, collaborative environments, game-based learning, and augmented reality technologies.
• Demonstrated potential for or record of research in teacher education, leading to a sustained record of scholarship.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, effective collaboration, and collegiality.

About the School

Westminster College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college known for its collaborative environment, outstanding experiential learning programs, and focus on student success. The college enrolls 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students in 41 majors, 10 pre-professional programs, and 80 organizations. Westminster’s historic campus is located in New Wilmington, PA, a rural setting near Pittsburgh and Cleveland.