Assistant or Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Job Title

Assistant or Associate Professor Tenure-Track of Occupational Therapy

Agency

Tarleton State University

Department

Occupational Therapy Program

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

Tarleton State University, a distinguished Doctoral National Comprehensive University, invites applications for the position of Assistant or Associate Tenure-Track Professor for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program. As part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, this role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a university that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth. Join us in advancing knowledge and transforming lives—on campus and beyond. Tarleton State University continues to grow its impact across Texas, with four distinct campuses located in Stephenville, Fort Worth, RELLIS-Bryan and Waco, along with a robust online community that extends our reach even further.

At the heart of it all is Stephenville, where Tarleton State offers a dynamic environment for faculty and staff. From a lively live music scene and numerous local festivals to rich traditions rooted in the surrounding community, Stephenville provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

No matter where you're located—on campus or online—you are part of a mission that transforms lives and makes a difference across the state of Texas and beyond.

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Important Immigration Information:

A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Please be advised that Tarleton State University will NOT pay this fee. Therefore, if you need immigration sponsorship for your employment, we recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense to ascertain whether your current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Tarleton State University subject to this fee. 

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbot issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate. 

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This is a 10.5-month faculty appointment based on Tarleton’s main campus in Stephenville, TX. Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work and teaching requirements indicate. Successful candidates will be passionate about serving rural communities and committed to advancing the role of occupational therapy in both traditional and emerging practice settings. May be assigned to teach at various campus locations or through approved instructional modalities, as determined by the institution based on operational needs. Serves as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).

Primary Need for 2025-2026 Academic Year

• Adult Rehab

• Pediatrics

• Mental Health

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

60% Teaching and Service: 

• Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to graduate students using transformative learning models that foster critical thinking, active learning, collaboration, and hands-on experiences.

• Develop curriculum and course syllabi in alignment with ACOTE guidelines and program goals; select instructional materials, and design assessments such as exams, quizzes, papers, etc. 

• Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements. 

• Engage students in active learning, foster critical thinking skills, and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning. 

• Provide academic support and mentorship to students through office hours, guidance on assignments, and advising doctoral-level capstone projects. 

• Adhere to university policies, academic integrity standards, and accreditation requirements related to teaching responsibilities. 

• Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement.  

• Engage in ongoing professional development activities to stay current in the field, improve teaching skills, and explore new instructional strategies.  

• Collaborate with colleagues, departmental faculty, and university staff to coordinate course offerings, share resources, and contribute to program development and improvement. 

• Serve on Program, Department, School, Division or University committees and participate in institutional service roles, including student/faculty recruitment and mentoring of new and part-time faculty. 

• Participate in curriculum design, interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary planning, program evaluation, accreditation responsibilities, and holistic application review.

• Maintain and monitor lab spaces, and collaborate and monitor clinical services onsite and within community, as appropriate.

• Demonstrate a commitment towards building an accessible scholarly environment.

40% Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity:  

• Maintain an active agenda for research, scholarship, or creative activity appropriate to the applicant’s academic discipline.  

• Make original contributions to the advancement of knowledge/creative expression in the applicant’s discipline through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition. 

• Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition. 

Required Education and Experience:

• Completed doctoral degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting body required (or equivalent).

• Must have an active Texas state license (or be license eligible) as an Occupational Therapist and possess an initial NBCOT certification, if practicing as an Occupational Therapist.

• Minimum 3-5 years clinical experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Previous teaching experience for an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy education program. However, Occupational Therapists new to academia are encouraged to apply. They will have the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment with active and supportive mentoring and faculty development training.

• Experience in rural care.

• Record of research line and maintenance of credentials.

• Evidence in responsiveness to current trends in occupational therapy practice and/or education and evidence of professional service at the local, state, and/or national level.

Academic Rank:

• Rank will be determined by reviewing the faculty member’s record of years of experience and professional achievements in teaching, service, and research consistent with the Texas A&M system guidance.

***Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience***  

Application Procedure:

During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents and Submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via “Submit” action.

Employment applications must include (required):

• Completed online application

• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualifications

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume

• At least 3 current professional references and their full contact information

• Unofficial transcripts

  • Applicants with degrees earned outside the United States must submit transcripts translated into English, along with an official credential evaluation from a recognized service.  

• Philosophy Statement related to Teaching, and Research – no more than 1500 words.  

Applications received by Tarleton State University must have all job application data entered. Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. “See resume” is not an acceptable entry in the job application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  

Official transcripts must be received directly from each degree‐granting institution prior to a letter of appointment being issued.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.