"One-year Lecturer for Department of Human Development and Family Science"

Job Details

One-year Lecturer for Department of Human Development and Family Science

Position Type: Faculty
School: School of Arts, Culture and Society
Department: Department of Human Development & Family Science (2057)
Discipline: Human Development and Family Science
Level: Undergraduate
Time Status: Full-Time
Campus: Main Campus (Grantham)

Position Summary:

This one-year lecturer position includes teaching undergraduate courses in areas such as family science, family and consumer sciences education, family life education, gerontology, and family resource management.

Responsibilities:

The lecturer may also have limited advising responsibilities for undergraduate students in one or more departmental majors. The position does not require the ongoing scholarship and service expectations of full-time term-tenured faculty, but it requires active collaboration with the HDFS department in order to support departmental identity, unity, goals, and objectives.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in Family Science, Human Development, Gerontology, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, or a closely related field is preferred. A master's degree in one of these fields, combined with suitable experience, may also qualify a candidate for this appointment. The successful candidate will demonstrate evidence of effective college-level teaching and a commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. Candidates should demonstrate a clear commitment to Christian higher education and the ability to integrate faith and learning both in and beyond the classroom. Eligibility for, or willingness to pursue, the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation through the National Council on Family Relations is preferred but not required.

The Program:

Messiah University's Human Development and Family Science Department houses majors in Human Development and Family Science; Human Development and Family Science with Child Life; Family and Consumer Sciences Education; and an Accelerated HDFS-MOT program. Minors are offered in HDFS, Children and Youth Services, Disability and Family Wellness, Multicultural Families, Gerontology, and Pre-Counseling and Therapy. The HDFS and FCSE programs are approved by the National Council on Family Relations to provide the educational requirements necessary for professional certification as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). The program has also passed the HDFS grad counseling. The HDFS program prepares students to understand and strengthen families across the lifespan and in diverse cultural contexts. Our curriculum emphasizes the integration of family systems, developmental theory, ethical practice, and applied research, preparing students for professional roles in family life education, child life, family services, and graduate study.

The Department:

The HDFS Department employs three full-time faculty members as well as a number of adjunct instructors with specialization and expertise in various aspects of human development, family dynamics, and family life education.

The University:

Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences and has a student body of over 2,700 undergraduate students including 21.3% under-represented and 1.5% international students from 23 countries and over 900 graduate students including 28.1% of students from under-represented populations.

The University is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Church. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. Messiah University is a teaching institution that emphasizes instruction but values research and public service. Strong support is given to faculty development in teaching and scholarship.

Starting Date for Position: August 1, 2026
Compensation: Salary and rank commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applications/Nominations:

Application materials will be reviewed upon receipt and will be accepted until the position is filled. Please provide a current curriculum vitae or resume as well as a letter of interest that clearly explains how your Christian faith represents a strong fit with the mission of Messiah University, which is "to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society."

Vitae Instructions to Applicants:
Curriculum Vitae must include: (1) education, (2) previous employment history, (3) scholarly and professional accomplishments (e.g., papers, publication, recitals, showings), (4) membership in scholarly, professional, or honor societies, and (5) awards and honors received.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application Deadline:
Open Until Filled: Yes

To apply, visit https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30731

Messiah University's commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission "to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society." The university has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that seeks to equip and enable educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through their teaching-learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.