Assistant Professor in Special Education

The School of Education and Human Services at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Special Education beginning in Fall 2027.  

We seek a scholar-practitioner with expertise in inclusive special education methods for K–12 learners with disabilities, including curriculum access, assessment-informed instruction, and specially designed instruction. The successful candidate will join a collaborative faculty committed to preparing future educators through inclusive, equitable, and evidence-based teaching and will contribute to the preparation of educators, counselors, and human service professionals who positively impact schools and communities. 

The successful candidate will contribute to teacher preparation in cross-categorical special education, maintain an active program of scholarship, and engage in meaningful service to the university, profession, and community. 

This is a 9-month academic year appointment with a standard teaching load of 12 credits per semester. During the first four years of employment, new faculty receive a 3-credit research release each semester, reducing their teaching load to 9 credits per semester while they establish their research and scholarship. 

Join us in Oshkosh, WI 

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, offers an outstanding quality of life in a vibrant and welcoming community. Nestled along the shores of Lake Winnebago and the Fox River, Oshkosh blends natural beauty with the amenities of city living. Conveniently located just 90 miles from Milwaukee and Madison and 55 miles from Green Bay, residents enjoy easy access to larger metropolitan areas while benefiting from the charm and affordability of a smaller city. Outdoor enthusiasts will find abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and other recreational activities nearby. The scenic Northwoods of Wisconsin, picturesque Door County, and the Wisconsin Dells are all within a short drive, making weekend adventures easy and accessible. You can find more information about Oshkosh, WI on the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce website here. 

• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with K–12 schools that support high-quality clinical experiences, program development, and community engagement.  

• Prepare teacher candidates to use inclusive, evidence-based instructional practices, including explicit instruction, differentiated instruction, assessment-informed decision making, progress monitoring, accommodations, modifications, and IEP-aligned planning.  

• Prepare future educators to understand and address issues of equity, disability, culture, language, and access to high-quality educational opportunities.  

• Maintain an active program of scholarship that advances the field of special education and contributes to the mission of the School of Education and Human Services.

• Teach undergraduate courses in cross-categorical special education with primary emphasis on K–12 methods, literacy, mathematics, curriculum access for learners with mild to moderate disabilities, assessment-informed intervention, specially designed instruction, instructional planning, family engagement and advocacy

• Contribute to curriculum development, program assessment, accreditation, licensure documentation, and continuous program improvement aligned with Wisconsin DPI requirements and CEC standards.  

• Supervise cross-categorical special education clinical and student teaching experiences, providing coaching and feedback while collaborating with K–12 educators, related service providers, families, and community partners.  

• Participate in department, college, university, professional, and community service, including recruitment, retention, committee work, and collaborative initiatives. 

• Develop and teach coursework that prepares teacher candidates to design, implement, and assess evidence-based instruction for learners with disabilities across elementary, middle, and secondary settings. 

• Advise and mentor teacher candidates throughout their educator preparation program.  

School of Education and Human Services

Competitive commensurate with experience

• Earned doctorate or ABD in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction with a special education emphasis, Learning Disabilities, or a closely related field.  
• Demonstrated expertise in accessible special education methods for K–12 learners with disabilities, including literacy, mathematics, curriculum access, assessment-informed instruction, and specially designed instruction.  
• Minimum of three years of successful professional experience in K–12 cross-categorical special education.  
• Eligibility for, or equivalent preparation aligned with, cross-categorical special education licensure, including the ability to teach and supervise teacher candidates in coursework, clinical experiences, and student teaching.  
• Evidence of an active program of scholarship or the potential to develop a sustained research agenda related to special education.  
• Demonstrated commitment to accessible practices, culturally responsive teaching, collaboration, equitable access to the general curriculum, and the preparation of future educators to support students with disabilities.  

• Successful K–12 teaching experience in cross-categorical special education, particularly in elementary, middle, and/or secondary settings serving students with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other disabilities.  
• Demonstrated expertise in evidence-based literacy assessment and instruction for students with disabilities, including intervention planning and progress monitoring.  
• Experience teaching or the ability to teach augmentative communication (AC).
• Experience teaching special education methods, curriculum, assessment, IEP development, instructional planning, or specially designed instruction in a teacher preparation program.  
• Experience supervising teacher candidates during clinical placements or student teaching in K–12 special education settings.  
• Knowledge of CEC special educator preparation standards, Wisconsin DPI licensure and program requirements, evidence-based instructional practices, and collaborative service delivery.  
• Evidence of school partnerships, curriculum leadership, program assessment, or other leadership experiences related to special education. 

• Minimum Degree Required: Earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field (ABD considered with completion by appointment date). 

Applicants must submit the following documents using the online application:

• Letter of interest addressing qualifications and fit for the position.  
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Research statement describing current and future scholarly agenda
• Three professional letters of reference

Applicants should address the required and preferred qualifications throughout their application materials using specific examples from their teaching, scholarship, leadership, and professional experiences. 

Applicants are encouraged to describe their philosophy of preparing future educators to support students with disabilities through inclusive, evidence-based, accessible, and culturally responsive practices. Statements may also address experience teaching in environments that support belonging for all learners; the ability to prepare future educators who understand disability studies perspectives and promote equal access to education, employment, and full adult life for individuals across the disability spectrum; knowledge of disproportionality in special education and its impact on students, families, schools, and communities; and a commitment to advancing equitable educational opportunities for learners from multifaceted backgrounds and identities. 

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.  
Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application, you will not be able to go into the system and change them.
To Ensure Consideration: Applications received by the end of the day on 10/4/2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.
Contact Information:
For questions regarding your application and additional options to apply, contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 920-424-1166
Work Authorization
Unless otherwise indicated in the job posting, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. UW Oshkosh is not an e-verify employer; therefore, STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Reasonable Accommodations

UWO provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [email protected] or 920-424-1166. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWO is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWO will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.   
CBC & Reference Check Policy
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.   
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the UWO Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see https://uwosh.edu/police/, or call UWO Police Department, at (920) 424-1212 for a paper copy. 

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.