Assistant Professor, School for Classical & Contemporary Dance at Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Christian University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Dance in the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance to teach contemporary dance technique and related courses on-campus in Fort Worth, Texas. This is a full-time, on-campus, tenure-track faculty role with a start date in August 2027.

We seek candidates with a terminal degree or MA with substantial professional experience, plus at least three years of pre-professional teaching and evidence of scholarly

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Dance or related area; or MA with degree completion expected by start date; or 7+ years of professional performing/teaching experience in Dance.
• Minimum three (3) years pre-professional teaching experience.
• Evidence of creative or scholarly research activity, and/or trajectory, consistent with tenure track expectations.

Responsibilities

• Teach contemporary dance technique and related courses.
• Join a collaborative faculty in a tenure-track, on-campus position.
• Engage with students, promote artistic and scholarly development, and participate in departmental activities.

Education

Terminal degree in Dance or related area

MA with degree completion expected by start date or seven years of professional experience in Dance

Job description

Position Details:

Qualifications and Experience

This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person.
The School for Classical & Contemporary Dance (SCCDance) in the College of Fine Arts at Texas Christian University invites applications for the position Assistant Professor of Dance to teach contemporary dance technique and related courses. The SCCDance seeks candidates who are experienced, committed, engaged, and passionate artist-educators who will provide a balance of expertise with current faculty members. This is a full time on-campus tenure-track faculty position. The successful candidate will join a collaborative faculty, dedicated staff, and motivated students in a community of artist-scholars and a culture defined by care and excellence. The start date of the position is August 2027.

Required:

• Terminal degree in Dance or related area; or with degree completion expected by start date; or MA with minimum seven (7) years of professional performing/teaching experience in Dance.
• Minimum three (3) years pre-professional teaching experience.
• Evidence of creative or scholarly research activity, and/or trajectory, consistent with tenure track expectations.

Preferred:

• Experience teaching at the university or college level in dance and related courses.
• Experience teaching a diasporic or culturally rooted dance form, including but not limited to: West-African, hip-hop, house, folklórico, Gaga, Dunham, técnica cubana, Butoh, Bollywood, etc.
• Experience teaching classroom-based courses in dance (theory, history, teaching methods, anatomy, etc.).

Department Details:

School for Classical & Contemporary Dance
The School for Classical & Contemporary Dance (SCCDance) was founded in 1949 and offers three BFA degrees dedicated to conservatory-style depth inside a liberal arts education. DanceTCU offers seven distinct productions each academic year, welcomes numerous guest artists, collaborates across disciplines, and pursues unique opportunities that support student professional and educational development. SCCDance alumni are performers, choreographers, artistic directors, arts administrators, educators, program developers, studio owners, designers, dance therapists, dance photographers, and more. They also take their TCU education into prestigious graduate programs and fields such as medicine, physical therapy, counseling, journalism, and law. With a mission to develop educated dance artists prepared to become ethical professionals and leaders in the global dance community, the SCCDance is committed to preparing students to enter the field of dance and beyond.

Texas Christian University’s School for Classical & Contemporary Dance offers conservatory-style dance programs in a rigorous academic setting. It houses a community of artist-scholars dedicated to valuing each individual’s unique pathway through the BFA. The SCCDance faculty provides opportunities and experiences to support student growth: artistically, intellectually, creatively, and collaboratively. Whether in the studio, on the stage, or in the classroom, a BFA from the SCCDance prepares students with essential skills in dance and beyond. TCU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

Admission to the TCU SCCDance is highly competitive.

Students must apply to the university through the Office of Undergraduate Admission and to the SCCDance. An audition for the SCCDance is required. The SCCDance offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet, Modern Dance, and Ballet and Modern Dance (double major).

School/College Description:

The TCU College of Fine Arts is home to six academic units: the School of Art, the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, the School of Music, the Department of Design, the Department of Fashion Merchandising, and the Department of Theatre. We offer 33 undergraduate degree programs and 24 advanced degree programs to prepare the next generation of creative leaders in the arts. Students in the College of Fine Arts study with renowned professors and guest artists, annually present more than 350 public performances, and regularly present art, design, and research in juried exhibitions and competitions.

University & Fort Worth Description:

About TCU

Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University is a world-class, private, Carnegie-classified national research university located in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by its mission and core values of integrity, engagement, community, and excellence, TCU consistently ranks among the top universities and colleges in the United States.

TCU’s campus — regularly ranked among the nation’s most beautiful — spans 302 acres in a primarily residential area just minutes from downtown.

The university comprises nine schools and colleges offering 117 areas of undergraduate study, 62 master’s level programs, and 37 areas of doctoral study. TCU is a leader across several disciplines, including health care, business, energy, and the arts. Total enrollment stands at 12,980, including 11,152 undergraduates and 1,828 graduate students. Students are supported by over 2,200 faculty and staff, including more than 700 full-time faculty members.

About Fort Worth

Fort Worth blends the approachable charm of a smaller city with the amenities, cultural energy, and distinctive personality of a major metro. As the nation’s 11th-largest city, with a rapidly growing population of more than 1 million, Fort Worth and TCU share a relationship that spans more than a century — one that continues to deepen as many Horned Frogs choose to stay after graduation, drawn by the region’s thriving job market. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area — the nation’s fourth-largest and a top tourism destination — Fort Worth earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report in 2025 as the No. 4 best big city to live in the United States.

Fort Worth offers an impressive array of cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities, anchored by three world-class art museums — the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Bass Performance Hall stands as one of the premier performance venues in the country. Throughout the year, residents and visitors alike enjoy concerts, film festivals, and other cultural events at Sundance Square, Dickies Arena, Panther Island, and Near Southside venues.

Required Application Materials & Application Instructions:

• 1. Cover letter/Letter of Application including the following: teaching philosophy, research/creative activity
  (2 pages maximum);
• 2. Curriculum vitae with links to website or professional activity;
• 3. Contact information for three professional references.

After the initial review of applications, candidates advancing to the second round of consideration may be asked to submit supporting materials, including evidence of academic and artistic excellence, and research and/or creative work. These may also include evaluations, teaching observations, syllabi, links to a professional activity website, and/or letters of recommendation. All materials are to be submitted online.

Questions regarding the application process may be directed to Human Resources at [e-mail] or 817-257-7790. Other questions may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Suki John, Professor of Dance, at [e-mail].

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.