Assistant Professor in Special Education

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley seeks an Assistant Professor in Special Education to join the Department of Human Development and School Services. The position begins in the 2027-2028 academic year and is tenure-track, with responsibilities across undergraduate and graduate teaching and active research.

The successful candidate will publish, secure external funding, and collaborate across college and university units while supporting student success in a diverse bilingual environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in person and online.
• Develop a research agenda with potential for funded projects.
• Commitment to scholarship and community partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Teach across undergraduate and graduate curriculum using diverse adult learning methods.
• Establish and sustain a productive research agenda with publications.
• Develop external collaborations and participate in service activities.

Skills

Teaching ability (in person & online)

Research agenda development

Grant writing potential

Education

Doctoral degree in special education

18 hours graduate work in special education

Job description

Office Location
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
1201 W. University Drive
Human Resources
MASS Building 2 nd Floor
Edinburg, TX 78539

Edinburg: [phone]
Brownsville: [phone]
Office hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Faculty Recruitment:
College of Engineering & Computer Science: [e-mail]

Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship: [e-mail]

Assistant Professor in Special Education

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Title Information

Faculty Title

Job Class Code

FLSA

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number FRGV2091

Working Title

Working Title Assistant Professor in Special Education

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Location

Division/Organization

Division/Organization Provost - Academic Affairs

Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position

FTE

FTE 1.0

Scope of Job

We seek applicants who are dedicated to enhancing the evidence base of special education practices through action research and who can teach and serve The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s student body as an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Human Development and School Services beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year. This is a tenure-track position.

The successful candidate will teach across the undergraduate and graduate curriculum using various adult learning techniques and technologies to present students with contemporary evidenced-based teaching practices. The candidate will establish a focused research agenda with a strong record of publication that reflects quality, impact, and significance, in addition to developing relationships with departmental and University colleagues to join existing, externally funded research and training activities and obtain new sponsored research. Finally, the successful candidate will participate in institutional, professional, and community service activities.

About UTRGV :

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.

Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.

UTRGV is a distributed campus, one University spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit the UTRGV website.

About the College of Education and P-16 Integration

The College of Education and P-16 Integration offers teacher preparation at the undergraduate level and master’s programs in Counseling, School Psychology, Special Education, Educational Technology, Educational Leadership, Early Childhood, Reading and Literacy, Bilingual Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and Teaching.

Two Ed.D.s are also offered in educational leadership and curriculum and instruction with several specialization areas. The College of Education and P-16 Integration is fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency ( TEA ), by the Counsel for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs ( CACREP ), and by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation ( CAEP ).

For more information about the College of Education and P-16 Integration, please see the following website: https://www.utrgv.edu/cep/

About The Department of Human Development and School Services

Our Department houses programs in special education at the undergraduate and master’s levels and also at the doctoral level (as a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction EdD program). Our 15 full-time faculty members across four program areas (special education, early childhood education, school psychology, and educational assessment) work collegially to provide high-quality programs for students and to conduct research that informs our respective fields in the southern frontera regions of the U.S. We provide our students with dynamic place-based and online instruction and value extensive field-based experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must hold an earned doctoral degree from an accredited institution in special education or a closely related field with at least 18 hours of graduate work in special education. If transcripts do not reveal this focus, candidates may explain how the courses taken address these fields in their cover letters.
• Candidates should demonstrate the potential to organize, implement, and sustain a research agenda in special education or a closely related field that meets the standards for excellence in education research as defined by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences.
• Candidates must be capable of teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in person and online.
• Candidates must show productivity or potential to acquire research grants from Private, State, and/or Federal sponsors.
• ABD candidates must have their doctoral degrees conferred by the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Authorship on peer-reviewed publications
• Full-time teaching experience in public schools
• Experience (academic and/or practical) in the area of bilingual special education
• A demonstrated commitment to school partnerships and community initiatives.

License or Certification Required?

License or Certification Required? No

Salary Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date 09/01/2027

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date

Open Date 11/04/2026

Close Date

Close Date 01/08/2027

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code§51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per weekand at least 135 days in length.

Please Note

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English todemonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-basedtest score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test ofEnglish as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on theInternational English Language Testing System ( IELTS ). Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).