Assistant Professor of Music Education

Employer: University of Colorado System

Location: Boulder, Colorado, United States

Salary: Competitive Salary

Date posted: Sep 9, 2025

Position Type: Faculty Positions, Music, Performing Arts, Education, Teacher Education

Employment Type: Full Time

Job Summary

The College of Music at the University of Colorado Boulder seeks an accomplished music educator, teacher educator, and scholar with a background in elementary-general music (a focus on classroom music for all students in grades PK to 8) as well as in general music for secondary students (grades 6-12) to serve on the Music Education faculty. This full-time tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor will commence August 13, 2026.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Music Education area is a comprehensive department that includes Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music Education, a Master of Music Education plus initial licensure track, and a PhD in Music Education. With 75+ undergraduate and 20+ graduate students, the department strives to be a nexus of teacher education scholarship and practice within an R1 research institution.

The College of Music, founded in 1920, is recognized as one of the top comprehensive music schools in the country. The College of Music offers seven degree programs in over 28 fields of study, at the bachelor’s level through the doctorate. Our dedicated and encouraging community of 550 degree-seeking students, 70 full-time faculty, 30 part-time faculty, and 40 professional, technical and administrative staff produces over 350 performances and numerous guest lectures, master-classes, and outreach events each year!

The warm and collegial climate of the College of Music as a whole reflects the genuine respect among faculty and staff and the unified goal of providing a nurturing and encouraging environment for the students.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

The final assignment of duties will be based on the expertise of the candidate. Teach and create innovative curricular offerings based on opportunities and needs within the department, which may include: teach undergraduate classes for music education majors in the area of candidate’s specialization (elementary-general music and secondary-general music); supervise student teachers; teach graduate classes at the master’s and/or doctoral level based on areas of expertise and the readiness of the candidate; supervise graduate research including PhD dissertations; advise graduate students and serve on graduate committees. Teaching in the summer is optional and may be available as an additional appointment. Participate in active recruitment of undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students. Achieve a high profile of professional activities including maintaining an active research agenda, presentation at major conferences, and publication in peer-reviewed journals. Contribute to service within the department, College, and to local and national professional organizations; develop a mutually supportive relationship with local K-12 music educators.

What You Should Know

This position will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track).

The University of Colorado Boulder has implemented a reference check program with respect to final candidates for tenured faculty appointments. The reference check program is intended to allow CU Boulder to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their current and previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination, before making hiring decisions. All final candidates for tenured faculty appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information.

What We Can Offer

Annual Salary Range for Assistant Professor rank is $73,000 - $81,500. Onboarding assistance is available within department guidelines.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be inspired. Be talented. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Completed all but dissertation (ABD) for a doctoral degree in music education.
• Note that if an offer is made to a candidate whose doctoral degree is not complete by the August 13, 2026 start date, candidate will be appointed at the lower rank of Assistant Teaching Professor with a lower initial salary and a two-year contract during which the doctoral degree must be completed before converting to the rank of Assistant Professor and beginning the probationary period for tenure.
• A minimum of three years of successful music teaching experience in classroom/general music at the elementary, middle school, or PK-8 combined levels.
• Candidates must demonstrate a record of and/or potential for significant scholarly contributions to the field.
• Hold or be eligible to hold an initial or professional Colorado teaching license with K-12 Music Endorsement. See https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof for details on requirements, including reciprocal certification process for out-of-state license holders. Note that it is not necessary to apply for or receive licensure to be considered for or be offered this position, merely that applicants be eligible according to CDE requirements.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Completed earned doctorate in music education by the start of the appointment (August 13, 2026).
• Five or more years of successful music teaching experience in grades K-12.
• Successful experience teaching in higher education, including graduate student thesis/dissertation advising.
• Experience teaching with and/or level certification in one or more paradigms such as Orff-Schulwerk, Kodály, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, or Gordon Music Learning Theory.
• Expertise teaching within inclusive settings and successful experiences teaching students with exceptionalities in multiple K-8 grades.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas is desirable: undergraduate methods for elementary-general music; undergraduate general music methods for secondary levels (grades 6-12); contemporary musical practices (e.g., “modern band,” informal learning, or other current paradigms); qualitative research; historical research; and/or music technology.

Special Instructions

Applications received by Friday, October 31, 2025, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current Curriculum Vitae.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
3. During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for three (3) references. We may request confidential letters of recommendation at a later time. This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.

A teaching video may be requested later in the search process.

For questions, please contact: Dr. David Rickels, Music Education Search Committee Chair, david.rickels@colorado.edu.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.