Instructor/Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education

Essential Duties Teaching undergraduate courses (4-4 load). Leads recruitment for the B.S. in Early Childhood Education major. Academic advising, involvement in School of Education and university service (assessment reports, etc.) as requested, and service beyond School and university as appropriate. Carries out an agenda of scholarly work and professional development. Minimum Qualifications IEarned doctorate in the field of education from a regionally accredited institution required. The doctorate must pertain to early childhood education, child development, or a closely related education field that directly supports work in early childhood education (birth through age eight). Must have a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in early childhood education above the bachelor's degree. Applicants in the final stages of completion of the doctorate (ABD) will be considered. Doctoral coursework, research, or dissertation must demonstrate a clear focus on early childhood education, child development, or early childhood systems. Demonstrated practitioner experience within early childhood education systems required, including teaching in, leading, supervising, supporting, or partnering with early learning settings or community-based programs serving children birth through age eight. Evidence of instruction at the higher education level required. Familiarity with current early childhood education practices, developmental frameworks, inclusive practices for children with diverse needs, family engagement strategies, and policy and advocacy within community-based early childhood systems required. Preferred Qualifications Terminal degree in early childhood education preferred. Three years of higher education teaching experience preferred. Experience with NAEYC and/or CAEP accreditation preferred. Experience supervising student teaching or field-based internships preferred. Demonstrated application of best practices in applying educational technology to innovate curriculum and new models of course delivery preferred. Understanding of Mississippi community college early childhood technical credit programs preferred. Experience across various early learning settings, including public collaborative and/or Head Start programs preferred. Job Description Summary Mississippi University for Women (The W) invites applications for an Instructor/Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Education beginning Fall 2026. This is a full-time, nine-month faculty position in a teaching-focused institution. The position requires excellence in teaching, ongoing professional engagement, and meaningful service. Summer teaching may be available. This faculty position is designated for a terminally degreed education professional with demonstrated expertise in early childhood education (birth through age eight). The successful candidate will be qualified to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels and will carry a 4-4 teaching load. Responsibilities include leading recruitment efforts for the B.S. in Early Childhood Education major, providing academic advising, supporting student recruitment and retention initiatives, and contributing to learning outcomes assessment, program assessment, and accreditation reporting (including NAEYC and CAEP). The faculty member will participate in School of Education initiatives related to curriculum innovation and course delivery, maintain an appropriate agenda of scholarly and professional development activity consistent with a teaching-centered institution, and engage in service to the School of Education and the university. This faculty position will serve as a faculty supporter of the newly established Office of Early Childhood within the Center for Education Support, including engagement with the Wise Start Project. In this capacity, the faculty member will contribute to the Office's mission through innovative program development, dynamic professional learning initiatives, data validation and continuous improvement efforts, meaningful community engagement, and early childhood advocacy. The primary service component of this position aligns with the School of Education's goals to advance grassroots early childhood initiatives and strengthen regional early education systems across the communities the university serves and throughout the state of Mississippi. Founded in 1884, Mississippi University for Women offers personalized attention, high-quality instruction, and a strong liberal arts education to prepare women and men to become leaders across a wide variety of different disciplines. MUW has been named among the Best Schools to Work for Honor Roll by The Chronicle of Higher Education (six consecutive years), Best Master's Universities by Washington Monthly, and Top Public Southern Regional Universities by U.S. News and World Report. We are an equal opportunity employer. In addition to teaching, we value scholarly research, creative production, continued professional engagement, and service. The W (as it is called across the region) is located in one of the "50 Best School Towns to Live in Forever". Known as "The Friendly City," Columbus, MS, is a town of 23,000 located almost equal distance from Jackson, MS; Birmingham, AL, and Memphis, TN, and is home to Columbus Air Force Base. Background Check Statement Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation

DOES NOT

automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. However, failure to disclose may disqualify a candidate. Requisition Detail Information Requisition Number

FY20273F

Open Date 03/23/2026 Will this job have a specific close date? No Close Date Special Instructions to Applicants Being authorized to work in the United States is a precondition of employment, and MUW does not sponsor work visas. To be eligible for this position, you will need to be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis now and in the future. MUW does not hire individuals who require employer sponsored visas.