The posting
SALARY:
$54,656.00
POSITION TITLE:
Assistant Professor of Music Education
DEPARTMENT:
Music
JOB DESCRIPTION:
EMPLOYMENT TERMS: 9-month, Tenure Track
PRIMARY DUTY:
Northwest Missouri State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track appointment in the School of Fine and Performing Arts starting in August 2027. Primary duties include teaching elementary and secondary methods coursework to pre-service vocal & instrumental music teachers, coordinating field experiences, and supervising student teachers. The ideal candidate will actively participate in professional development for elementary/general music educators, develop and maintain positive relationships with in-service music educators, and partner with the School of Education.
As a regional, comprehensive, teaching-focused institution, Northwest Missouri State University values faculty versatility; secondary teaching responsibilities will reflect the candidate’s strengths and program needs, with preference given to candidates who demonstrate the ability to contribute beyond their primary area of expertise.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Teach coursework as described above
- Serve on committees as assigned
- Hold seven office hours/week
- Academic advising
- Actively recruit students for the music program
- Supervise elementary/general music practica/student teachers
- Perform other duties as assigned by the school chair
REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Doctorate in Music Education (ABD considered), or equivalent
Experience: Public school teaching experience in elementary and general music instruction
Skills: Effective collaboration skills, quality organizational and communication skills, and an active and visible recruiter with a focus on student success.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Typical university classroom and office conditions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervise elementary/general music practica/student teachers and serve as faculty advisor for our highly active C-NAfME chapter.
EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED:
Laptop computer, software/online course and information management systems as needed, university instruments
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Ability to lift and carry at least 20 pounds.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Review of applications will begin on November 9, 2026, and continue until the
position is filled.
DATE AVAILABLE: August 9, 2027
TO APPLY:
Required application materials include (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) a cover letter, (3) a 15-minute teaching demonstration illustrating the candidate’s primary area of expertise, and (4) contact information for three references. Finalists for this position may be asked to participate in an additional teaching demonstration or instructional activity relating to their secondary area of expertise.
INQUIRIES FOR THE POSITION CAN BE MADE TO:
Dr. Adam Zrust, Search Committee Chair
School of Fine and Performing Arts
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-
COMMUNITY:
Northwest Missouri State University located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information visit the city’s website at www.maryville.org.
UNIVERSITY:
With an enrollment of more than 8,500 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online.
Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their university experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.
Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 98 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.
Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.
Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.
The University’s vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.
For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.
