Assistant or Associate Professor of Practice, Music Education (K-12 General Music)

Job Description

Position Summary: 

Colorado State University seeks a 9-month Assistant or Associate Professor of Practice, Music Education (K-12 General Music). This full-time, non-tenure-track position will contribute to the leadership, direction, and growth of well-established undergraduate and graduate degree programs in music education.  

Full Consideration Date:

March 30, 2026

Description of Work Unit:

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (SMTD) at Colorado State University empowers students to create, collaborate, innovate, and inspire. Through teaching, creative artistry, research, advocacy, and service, we elevate arts education. SMTD has 46 tenured and tenure-track faculty as well as 55 contract, continuing and adjunct faculty. There are currently over 550 students in SMTD, with 375 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in residential and online music degree programs. SMTD is housed in the University Center for the Arts, a nationally recognized state-of the art 350,000 square foot facility, that includes a 550-seat concert hall, a 275-seat organ and chamber music recital hall, a 320-seat thrust theatre, a 100-seat black box theatre, a 200-seat dance theatre, dedicated rehearsal, production and research spaces, along with classrooms, labs and practice rooms. 

Essential Job Duties:

• This faculty position is dedicated to two upper-division methods courses in elementary music education.  Other courses could include student teaching observation, keyboard competency specific to music education, and music education graduate course work. In addition, the successful candidate would be expected to proactively attract and recruit undergraduate and graduate music education majors; cultivate relationships with CSU Alumni and teachers across Colorado for student teaching and job placements; place and supervise students in practicum and student teaching;

• develop and maintain a record of scholarly work; 

• maintain and develop partner relationships with the CSU School of Education; participate in School governance, School Events, and demonstrate strong leadership within the state of Colorado, Western region, and emerging leadership in elementary education within the United States. 

Supervision:

• No formal supervisory responsibilities

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Background Check

Required Qualifications: 

• Earned Doctorate in Music Education or ABD conferred no later than August 16, 2026. Hiring is contingent upon the conferral of the degree.

• Three + years of successful elementary music teaching experience in public schools required.

• State Teaching Licensure in K-12 Music (or equivalent [e.g., 6-12 license in instrumental music is acceptable]; license may be currently lapsed but needs to have been active within the timeframe of your K-12 teaching as referenced by listing the state, title of license, and license number on your CV). 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Five + years of successful elementary music teaching experience in public schools preferred.

• Demonstrated record or the potential for scholarly work in the field of music education as defined by the SMTD Faculty Code 

• Interest in advocacy and national leadership in music education and active involvement in national and/or international music education organizations required.

• Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate-level college students in music education is preferred.

• Demonstrated initiative as a self-starter and ability to work well independently and as a part of a team.

• Earned certificate in any elementary-focused music teaching methodology. 

Application Instructions:

For full consideration, interested applicants must submit the following: 

• Letter of interest/Cover letter (2-page maximum)

• Curriculum vitae, which should clearly detail your State Teaching Licensure number (where applicable) for K-12 teaching positions, your research publication record, narrative regarding your research agenda, and evidence of advocacy and leadership. 

• Unofficial transcript for highest degree conferred 

• Statement of teaching philosophy (1-page maximum) 

Please Note: Semi-finalists will be asked to submit a 20–30-minute teaching video (can be of K-12 teaching, or teaching at the college level) and a sample course syllabus for an elementary methods course. 

Salary Range

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.