Assistant Professor of Music Education

Assistant Professor of Music Education

Department: Music

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 and 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

Inquiries for the Position:

• 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.

• 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 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/.