Assistant Professor – Family Financial Planning

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement

Bozeman (MT)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Job summary

Montana State University invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Family Financial Planning within the Human Development & Community Health program. The position supports teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, mentoring students, and maintaining an active research program.

Appointment is tenure-track with a 50% teaching, 40% research, 10% service plan, starting August 2027. The department values a diverse, collaborative community.

Qualifications

PhD or terminal degree in a relevant field.
Evidence of teaching at undergrad/grad levels.
Active research agenda with publications or funding activity.

Responsibilities

Teach ~15 credits per academic year across undergraduate and graduate courses.
Advise graduate students and serve on committees.
Conduct research in personal and family finance.
Provide outreach and engage with Montana communities.

Skills

Teaching experience

Graduate mentoring

Research agenda

Curriculum development

Education

Doctorate in Personal Financial Planning or related field

Job description

Position Details Position Information Announcement Number FAC - VA - 27016 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Nicole Wanago 406-994-5006 nicole.wanago@montana.edu Classification Title Working Title Assistant Professor – Family Financial Planning Brief Position Overview

The Department of Human Development and Community Health (HDCH) is seeking a tenure-track faculty member in the Human Development & Family Science program with expertise in personal and family financial planning. Primary responsibilities include teaching personal and family finance courses in the master’s degree program in Family Financial Planning as well as Human Development & Family Science undergraduate program, developing and/or sustaining a program of research, mentoring student research, and participating in professional/service activities. This position begins August 2027 and is an academic year tenure-track appointment (50% Teaching, 40% Research, and 10% Service) with potential for summer employment.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank TT Faculty, AY Position Number 4A3238 Department Human Development &Community Health Division College of Education, Health & Human Development Appointment Type Faculty Contract Term Academic Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details General Statement Montana’s rural context, rapidly aging population, agricultural economic pressures, and rising costs of basic needs create a critical and sustained need for expertise in family financial planning. These intersecting conditions make financial decision-making particularly complex for Montana individuals and families and highlight the need for professionals who can integrate technical financial knowledge with an understanding of behavioral, relational, and environmental influences across the life course. A faculty position in this area uniquely positions MSU to respond to the financial challenges facing Montana families through relevant research, preparation of financial professionals, and community-engaged teaching and outreach.

Duties and Responsibilities

Teach approximately 15 credits per academic year of undergraduate and graduate courses such as, but not limited to:
- HDFS 138: Survey of Family Finance and Consumer Issues
- HDFS 237: Managing Work and Family
- HDFS 337: Personal and Family Finance 1
- HDFS 339: Family Financial Counseling
- HDFS 457 Family Life Education
- HDFP 530: Estate Planning
- HDFP 515: Insurance Planning for Families
- HDFP 525: Retirement Planning
- HDFP 520: Investing for the Family’s Future
- HDFP 540: Personal Income Taxation
Advise graduate students and serve on graduate committees.
Conduct research in a specialized area of interest within Human Development and Family Science
Provide outreach and service to the university and the citizens of Montana
Provide leadership to the Family Financial Planning master’s degree and Personal and Consumer Finance minor

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

A doctorate is required. Applicants must have either (a) a doctorate in Personal Financial Planning, Consumer Economics, Economics, Finance, Business, Accounting, or a closely related field; or (b) a doctorate in Human Development and Family Science or Family and Consumer Sciences with a specialization in personal and family finance
Demonstrated successful teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
Possess an active research agenda, as indicated by publications, presentations, and/or seeking funding

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Ability to teach personal and family finance content in graduate and undergraduate coursework.
Holds a professional credential, such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) or Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®), or a master’s degree in Personal Financial Planning, Consumer Economics, Economics, Finance, Business, Accounting, or a closely related field.
Possess an active research agenda within personal and family Finance.
Ability to communicate personal and family finance from a family-centered perspective.
Ability to secure external grant funding
Evidence of integration of teaching, research, and service.
Ability to mentor students in undergraduate research opportunities.

The Successful Candidate Will

Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrate the ability to build innovative teaching, research, and outreach programs.
Commit to building and serving a diverse community.
Have the ability to work effectively across disciplines.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

Personal and family financial planning is a critical content area within multiple HDFS academic programs, including the Family Financial Planning master’s degree, Human Development and Family Science undergraduate program, and Personal and Consumer Finance minor. The Family Financial Planning master’s program expands access to graduate education for place-bound learners while preparing students to pursue the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certification and careers supporting the financial well‑being of individuals and families. At the undergraduate level, HDFS provides personal and family-centered financial education to students across the university.

The Personal and Consumer Finance minor provides an educational pathway toward the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) credential, while personal and family finance coursework also supports HDFS undergraduate program requirements for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential.

The Department The College

The College of Education, Health and Human Development (EHHD) consists of four separate departments: 1) Education, 2) Counseling, 3) Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology (FSNK), and 4) Human Development and Community Health (HDCH). The HDCH department has three primary programs: Community Health, Human Development and Family Science, and Early Childhood Education Preschool-Grade 3. This faculty position is housed within the Human Development & Family Science program that offers three options within the major: Child Development; Family and Consumer Sciences Education; and Human Development and Family Science. Two undergraduate minors (Human Development; Personal and Consumer Finance) and master’s degrees in Family and Consumer Sciences and Family Financial Planning are also offered. While each faculty HDFS member has a focused specialization, all contribute to the broader program mission to promote human well-being across the lifespan.

Posting Detail Information

Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date August 2027 Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be

Screening of applications will begin on October 25, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

FLSA Details

FLSA Determination

FLSA Status Exempt

Applicant Documents