Job Description

Department: Recreation, Tourism, and Sports Management

Rank: Assistant/Associate Professor

Search #: 26-017

Specialization(s): Occupational Therapy

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus-wide commitment to social justice. SCSU is the only R2 institution in the State of Connecticut and a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of approximately 9,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. We seek to instill in all students the value of discovery with the liberal arts and sciences serving as a foundation for professional development and life-long learning. The University is located in New Haven, Connecticut, a city rich and vibrant with arts and culture, and home to many universities and with easy access to New York City and Boston.

The Occupational Therapy Program at Southern offers a 2-year Master of Science Degree in occupational therapy. In addition to offering an innovative integrated curriculum, the program provides its students with a strong foundation in human occupation, community service learning, and the development of professional identity and presence within an interprofessional team.

Brief Description of Duties/Responsibilities:

The occupational therapy program is seeking applicants for a full-time, tenure-track faculty opening. This twelve-month position is available as of August 2026 or until the position is filled.

Southern invites applications from individuals who believe in the mission of public higher education and are committed to outstanding teaching and scholarship. Successful candidates are disciplinary scholars dedicated to on-ground learning and a student-centered approach.

The ideal candidate will excel in instructing graduate-level occupational therapy students using active learning approaches. Proficiency in employing contemporary teaching strategies is essential, with an emphasis on the use of flipped classrooms, peer learning, and community service-learning. This role involves co-teaching, commitment to interprofessional education, and frequent collaboration with fellow faculty members to provide an integrated curriculum centered on the study of human occupation. In addition to teaching, responsibilities include active engagement in scholarly activity consisting of collaborative departmental scholarship, professional presentations at conferences, and publications; department and university service and committee assignments; professional activity; and advising students.

Eligible candidates should have experience and interest in teaching, research, and clinical practice in the following areas: adult and geriatric clients, acute care and rehabilitation.

Required Qualifications:

• Licensed occupational therapist, with an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an accredited occupational therapy program.
• 5 years of full-time or equivalent occupational therapy clinical experience.
• Clinical expertise in either physical rehabilitation OR mental health, including community mental health, needs assessment, and running clinical groups.
• 3 years teaching experience in higher education or within clinical settings.
• Capacity to engage in scholarship that contributes to the profession’s body of knowledge.
• Earned doctorate in occupational therapy or related field or enrolled in a doctoral program by the start of hire, with the ability to complete the degree by the penultimate year for tenure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned PhD in occupational therapy or related field.
• Demonstrated record of engagement in scholarly activities.
• 5 years teaching experience at a university or via clinical education delivery.
• Experience teaching using active learning and online approaches.
• 7+ years of clinical occupational therapy experience.
• Demonstrated record of interprofessional practice and/or collaboration.
• Excellent oral/written communication skills.
• Interpersonal/team collaboration skills.
• Computer literacy skills for administrative, research, and instructional purposes.

Application Process:

Please submit electronically; letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, official graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to: Occupational Therapy Search Committee Chair, Dr. Heather Kuhaneck, OTsearch1@southernct.edu . Best consideration will be given to complete applications received by Monday, December 1, 2025. The position will remain open until filled.

SCSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University seeks to enhance the diversity of its faculty and staff. People of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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