Position Function:
The MSU Department of Music seeks an energetic, collaborative, and experienced pedagogue to build and mentor a thriving elementary music education program at Mississippi State University.
The successful candidate will assume this role at an exciting time in the department with new facilities, strong enrollment, a strong relationship with the University administration, and planned growth in curriculum and community relations. The non-tenure-track Assistant Teaching Professor of Music is expected to bring an innovative and energetic approach to elementary music methods and foundations of music education courses, observe student interns in public schools, and a collegial spirit to department and university service. The candidate will also serve the department as the Assistant Coordinator of Music Education-Undergraduate, provide Pre-K music classes through the Community Music School, and clearly articulate a secondary area of specialty to serve the department (based on candidate expertise). The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in teaching and service, and will bring that dedication to our students at the undergraduate and graduate level. A research and/or creative agenda is supported, but it is not within the primary scope of this position. We seek a colleague that values respect, access, and opportunity for all, and will infuse those values into all aspects of their departmental and community interactions.
The position is considered a 9-month, promotable, non-tenure-track line (starting August 16, 2025). The university has a promotion system in place for non-tenure track faculty to be considered for and promoted to Associate Teaching Professor, and subsequently Full Teaching Professor, after required time in rank and review by the Tenure and Promotion Committee.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Mississippi State University is a comprehensive land grant institution ranked by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Very high Research Activity University. The university is a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Department of Music is a part of the College of Education and is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
In the fall of 2022 the department moved into a $21 million state-of-the-art music facility to compliment the Sills Band Hall. The 37,000-square-foot facility at 124 Hardy Road includes classrooms, a choral rehearsal hall, faculty offices, sound-proof practice rooms, recording studio, lecture/recital hall, student lounge and administrative suite.
See https://www.music.msstate.edu/ for more information about the department. Located partly in and adjacent to Starkville, a city of about 25,000 residents, MSU is served by the nearby Golden Triangle Regional Airport, which has daily connections to Atlanta.
Area of Specialization:
Elementary Music Education
Anticipated Appointment Date:
August 16, 2025
Tenure Track Status:
Non-Tenure Track
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Ranked, non-tenure-track music faculty teach an ideal 4.4 course load
• This position expects a 2.2 course load (or more) to teach within the music education curriculum
• Teach Elementary Music Methods and Foundations of Music Education courses
• Observe student interns in the public schools
• Serve as the Assistant Coordinator of Music Education – Undergraduate (service)
• Provide Pre-K classes through the Community Music School (additional pay)
• This position requires up to a 2.2 course load for a secondary responsibility in the department in ONE of the following:
Music Theory
Large-Scale Grant Writing
Applied Woodwind discipline
Applied Brass discipline
Applied Percussion
• An aptitude towards excellence in teaching and service; other activities consistent with Mississippi State University Promotion and Tenure guidelines [AOP 13.07]
• Participate in university, college, and departmental committees and service
• Exemplify an ideal personality to recruit for graduate and undergraduate music education students
Minimum Qualifications:
• Masters or Bachelors degree in Music Education
• Masters degree in Music or a related field
• Minimum of three years of experience teaching elementary music in public or private schools
• Clearly articulated secondary area of specialty to serve the department
Preferred Qualifications:
• Doctorate required for appointment as Assistant Teaching Professor
• Five or more years of experience teaching elementary music in public or private schools
• University teaching experience
• Experience working collaboratively in a variety of academic and community settings
• Experience recruiting and retaining outstanding students at the graduate and undergraduate levels
• Experience developing Graduate coursework in Music Education
• Experience advising and mentoring students within an academic setting
• Orff and/or Kodaly certification/training highly desirable
• Academic and professional characteristics consistent with the missions of the University, College, and the Department of Music.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
Instructions for Applying:
• Only complete application files will be considered
• Candidates must apply online at jobs.msstate.edu.
A complete application will include:
• Letter of application (clearly articulating expertise in elementary music education and a secondary area to serve the Department of Music)
• Curriculum vitae with names, telephone numbers and email addresses of five current references
• Copies of all academic transcripts (official transcripts will be required at the time of hire) *Any social security numbers should be redacted prior to submission online*
• A Word document with a video link (or links) to a sample of the candidate’s teaching, along with a description of the class or classes being taught (required). The links should be on a common video platform like YouTube or Vimeo. Samples might include the following:
1. An elementary music class setting
2. A university elementary music methods class
3. Other related teaching or performances
• A Word document with audio and/or video links, or other example files, representative of secondary area of specialty (optional).
• Three letters of recommendation will be requested at a later stage in the search process
• Open until filled
• For more information about the application process please contact Dr. Craig Aarhus, search committee chair, at cha18@msstate.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
