Open Rank Professor of Practice, Special Education

About the role

The Department of Teacher and Administrator Preparation in the College of Education, at the University of Texas at Arlington, invites applications for a 9‑month Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Practice, Academic Professional Track position, with a specific specialization of mild to moderate disabilities beginning Fall 2027.

The Department of Teacher and Administrator Preparation offers undergraduate teacher certification programs in elementary education, elementary bilingual and ESL education, secondary education, and special education. An expanding offering of on‑campus and online certification, endorsements, and master’s degree programs in areas such as literacy education; Mind, Brain, and Education; Instructional and Learning Design Technology; mathematics education; and science education, with additional programs in the planning stages. Home to 1,000 students, 29 faculty members, and 19 staff members, the College of Education prepares education professionals to lead North Texas in a dynamic and changing environment and contributes to the national dialogue surrounding education in the 21st Century. The Educator Preparation Programs in the College of Education are fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency. The College of Education is highly ranked, in 2026 earning an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality, and a ranking of 8 out of 323 universities for our online master’s degree programs by US News and World Report. The College is currently one of the state’s top producers of outstanding education professionals and is committed to meeting the goals of the UTA Strategic Plan/2030.

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas‑Fort Worth‑Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest‑growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R‑1 “Very High Research Activity” institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges” and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates’ salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic‑Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander‑Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 – including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas – UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy. UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community. Furthermore, UTA has launched the RISE 100 initiative, aiming to recruit 100 new tenure‑system faculty to strengthen its research enterprise and leadership in key academic areas.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate-level courses in both traditional and online formats;
• Contribute to curriculum development;
• Contribute to the department, college, and university’s mission through assigned service.

Requirements

• Earned doctorate in special education or related field (e.g., educational psychology, school psychology) with at least 18 graduate‑level credits in special education by August 2027;
• Evidence of strong teaching at the higher education level;
• Minimum of 3 years of PK‑12 classroom teaching experience in special education.

CBC Requirement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a criminal background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University. This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA‑48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.

Special Conditions for Eligibility: In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants must be legally able to accept work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is considered on an exception‑only basis and is not routinely available.

Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates who have experience related to PK‑12 teacher education in content areas such as mathematics, science, literacy, or technology.
• Candidates should have demonstrated excellence in university teaching in traditional and online environments, an understanding of the structures of schools and systems, and a commitment to developing and engaging in collaborative work relationships.

Benefits

Benefits at UTA: We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees at the University. To help you understand the full value of these benefits, we have created a tool that calculates the total worth of your compensation package. This tool takes into account all of the benefits that you are eligible for, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. To access this tool and learn more about the total value of your benefits, please click on the following link: https://resources.uta.edu/hr/services/records/compensation-tools.php.