Assistant Clinical Professor

TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY—DENTON CAMPUS

ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF CHILD LIFE

SCHOOL OF HUMAN SCIENCES

The School of Human Sciences invites applications for an Assistant Clinical Professor in Child Life. The position is expected to begin August 2026.   

Texas Woman’s University’s online master’s program in Child Life is one of only a few in the country, and one of only two in the state of Texas. In addition, we also offer a bachelor’s degree in Child Development with an emphasis in Child Life. Both degree options meet the academic eligibility requirements for certification through and are endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals. 

The School of Human Sciences houses programs in Child Development, Child Life, Early Childhood Education, Family Studies, Family & Consumer Sciences, Family Therapy, and Counseling & Development. The Child Life faculty member will be responsible for teaching foundational courses in child development and child life at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as conduct scholarship appropriate an assistant clinical professor and participate in university and professional service.  

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION 

Founded in 1901 as a women’s college, the university has grown its mission of serving marginalized populations in higher education over the past 120-plus years. For eight consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report recognized the university as having one of the top 10 most ethnically diverse student bodies in the nation and in 2023 ranked the university among the nation’s best for social mobility. Additionally, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal recognized the university as a top pick in 2023, and the Wall Street Journal ranked the university 7th in the nation for overall student experience. Also in 2023, Texas Woman’s earned the coveted Seal of Excelencia, a certification that demonstrates a university’s commitment to accelerating Latino student success. Less than 1% of colleges and universities have earned this distinction. The nation’s largest woman-focused university system, TWU produces leaders in the fields of education, the arts, sciences, business, nursing and the health professions. Students have described their experience on the picturesque, flagship Denton campus as “a private feel at a public cost.” It is the only public, general academic university in Texas to offer doctoral degrees in occupational therapy, physical therapy, dance and multicultural women’s and gender studies. Men account for about 10% of the student population. Since becoming a system in 2021, the university plans to form independent universities for its health science centers in Houston and Dallas. Denton, just north of the DFW area, is consistently named one of the nation’s best college towns, and Dallas and Houston have world-class museums, performing art centers, entertainment districts and professional and collegiate sports venues. As a whole, the university has a $1.8 billion annual economic impact on the state.

TWU prides itself on providing students with a well-rounded educational experience focused on service, integrity, and health and well-being. Respect for diversity in all dimensions (currently ranked 6^th in the nation for diversity) and a safe campus environment (Texas Woman’s is among the safest campuses in the nation) are among the hallmarks of a TWU education. TWU faculty and staff are passionate defenders of a “learn by doing” experiential learning environment where they provide students with opportunities to engage in campus, workplace, and community activities that can help shape their sense of purpose, their appreciation for the importance of building quality personal and professional relationships, and their ability to address life’s challenges. This holistic, mentoring approach to developing students as engaged, productive citizens in the complex world of the 21st Century encompasses understanding of the balance of health, spiritual and mental well-being.

THE POSITION

Successful applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Child Development or a closely related field, be a Certified Child Life Specialist, and have a record of teaching in child development or child life. An academic collaborative leadership style and active memberships in professional associations are highly desirable. The successful candidate will have appreciation for a multidisciplinary environment and a commitment to excellence in graduate education. Faculty will be required to:

• Serve as a core faculty member in the Child Life and Child Development programs
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses
• Supervise students completing practicum and internship
• Serve as committee members for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations
• Demonstrate clinical expertise as a child life specialist through professional and public scholarship
• Serve the university, the profession, and the community

Required qualifications for the Assistant Professor rank:

• Earned doctorate in the discipline of Child Development or closely related field
• Certified Child Life Specialist 
• Evidence of successful teaching experience
• Record of demonstrated evidence of clinical expertise
• Experience supervising students in practicum or internship
• Willingness to engage in community/university partnerships

HOW TO APPLY 

Attachments to your email should include a letter of application addressing the qualifications and desired attributes; curriculum vitae; copy of graduate transcripts; teaching philosophy; and the names and contact information for 3 references. Calls to references will begin later in the search process, following notification of candidates. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Texas Woman’s University strives to provide an educational environment that affirms the rights and dignity of each individual, fosters diversity, and encourages a respect for the differences among persons. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is considered inappropriate.

Texas Woman’s University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, age, veteran’s status, or against qualified disabled persons.

All positions at Texas Woman’s University are deemed security sensitive requiring background checks.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government.  For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.