Position Summary
( UGA ) invites applications for the position of Clinical Assistant Professor in its Elementary Education program. We are seeking an individual with expertise in PreK-5 teaching, integrating theory and practice in teacher education programs, and experience with the scholarship of teaching or engagement. This is a nine-month academic contract, renewable appointment for the 2027-28 academic year that begins August 2027. In recognition of the important role that clinical faculty play, starting salaries for clinical faculty match those for tenure-track faculty, and the University has a well-structured promotion system for individuals in clinical track positions to advance to clinical associate professor and clinical full professor ranks. Opportunities exist for summer teaching appointments.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants should submit:
- A letter of application specifically responsive to the position’s responsibilities and required qualifications as described above
- A curriculum vitae
- Two writing samples
- The names and contact information of three persons who could provide letters of reference (transcripts and letters of reference will be required only from selected finalists)
Applications received by Sunday, October 25, 2026, will be assured full consideration, but this position is open until filled. Address questions to the search committee chair, Dr. Beth Tolley [contact details available in the full listing] .
Posting Details
Posting Number
F2811P
Working Title
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department
COE-Educational Theory & Pract
About the University of Georgia
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/) . The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department
As the 4th largest public college of education in the country and the 3rd largest college at UGA, the Mary Frances Early College of Education ( MFE COE ) improves the lives of residents of Georgia and beyond through our instruction, research, and service. The MFE COE is a comprehensive college with disciplines focused on teacher preparation, counseling and human development, communication sciences, human movement sciences, career development, student affairs, and educational administration and policy. We place significant emphasis on graduate education with approximately 40% of our students at the graduate level, making us the second largest college at UGA with respect to graduate education.
ETAP has contributed to this stature locally, nationally, and internationally. The department is characterized by critical, forward-thinking research and innovative, dynamic teaching. ETAP is committed to making equity, access, and belonging visible in its courses, programs, policies, and practice. Our outreach and research include a variety of multifaceted collaborations, including those with local school districts and local community-based informal education projects, as well as projects that extend across the state of Georgia, the United States, and a variety of international contexts. Information about the department is available at https://coe.uga.edu/directory/educational-theory-and-practice/.
The Elementary Education program at UGA, which includes Early Childhood Education, has been ranked among the nation’s top 10 elementary education programs by U.S. News and World Report for more than a decade. Our mission in the Elementary Education program is to blend theory and practice grounded in our shared philosophy of critical pedagogy. Upon program completion, we expect our students to demonstrate teaching competencies related to habits of reflexive practice, integrating scholarship and research, engaging in professional collaboration, and appreciating and supporting multiple backgrounds and perspectives. These elements of thought and action are viewed as key to supporting critically informed and equitable teacher decision-making. The Elementary Education program is designed to offer theoretically and clinically rich experiences in diverse environments. By the end of the program, teachers are prepared to enact these commitments as leaders in their classrooms, schools, and communities.
College/Unit/Department website
https://coe.uga.edu/directory/educational-theory-and-practice/.
Posting Type
External
Retirement Plan
TRS or ORP
Employment Type
Employee
Benefits Eligibility
Benefits Eligible
Underutilization
Advertised Salary
Anticipated Start Date
08/01/2027
Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings)
Job Posting Date
09/18/2026
Job Closing Date
Open until filled
Yes
Location of Vacancy
Athens Area
EEO Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( [contact details available in the full listing] ).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy [contact details available in the full listing] .
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom .
Position Details
Position Information
Classification Title
Clinical Assistant Professor
FLSA
Faculty Rank
Clinical Assistant Professor
Contract Type
Academic (9 mo.)
Tenure Status
Non-Tenure Track
Minimum Qualifications
An earned doctorate in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field by the time of employment.
Additional Requirements
- 5 years of relevant experience in early childhood/elementary educational settings or educator preparation
- Demonstrated potential for making significant contributions to the mission of the department, including but not limited to clinical practices in early childhood and elementary education settings, program improvement, and innovation
- Record of experience working with pre-service and/or in-service teachers in educational or professional learning contexts
- Record of experience working across a variety of educational settings and with diverse student, family, and community populations.
- Background in and/or expertise that relates to one or more of the following areas: clinical supervision and teacher preparation; STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics); school-university partnerships; positive early childhood/elementary learning environments for students and educators; early childhood/elementary education for children and youth from working-class and impoverished families and communities and/or bilingual and multilingual communities; family and community engagement; or assessment.
- Fluency with research literature in teacher education
- Knowledge of teacher certification programs, state and federal standards and mandates, and/or an awareness of current developments in student assessment and teacher evaluation
Work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office, classroom, or digital environment. Requires extended periods of sitting, standing, and using standard office equipment and technologies (such as computers and projectors) throughout the workday. May involve occasional movement within campus facilities and the ability to lift or move light materials (e.g., laptops, textbooks, or instructional supplies) weighing up to 25 pounds.
Is this a Position of Trust?
No
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?
No
Does this position require a P-Card?
No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?
No
Is driving a responsibility of this position?
No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?
No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)
No
Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website .
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website .
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses (face-to-face, online, and/or blended) and mentor and advise students, as assigned
- Instruct and supervise teacher candidates in clinical practice in PreK-5 settings
- Provide service to the program, department, college, university, and the profession
- Work across departmental and institutional boundaries and participate in sustained engagement with public schools
100
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample
- List of References with Contact Information
- Other Documents #1
- Other Documents #2
