Assistant Professor of Social Sciences and Secondary Education

Description

Governors State University (University Park, IL) is a minority serving institution inviting applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Social Sciences and Secondary Education beginning the Fall 2026 semester. 

This full-time position will have the following responsibilities:

• teaching undergraduate and graduate social science methods courses 
• supervising Social Science student teachers 
• teaching history content area courses

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in history, education, or a closely related field or an Ed.D. with advanced content in history or a closely related field. The candidate must hold a secondary teacher license and have a subfield or extensive training and experience in teacher education.  

Qualifications include advanced knowledge in educational technology, curriculum design, and best instructional practices for teaching diverse learners. Candidates should also have knowledge of teaching reading in the content areas, social emotional learning, and teaching English language learners.  

Preferred qualifications include familiarity with the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP), National Council for Social Studies (NCSS), and Illinois State Board of Education licensure assessments.

In order to be a leading candidate in this search, in addition to the aforementioned requirements, the candidate must be fluent in the English language, be able to communicate well, demonstrate outstanding potential for excellence in teaching through a successful interview and/or classroom demonstration, and be experienced in the use of innovative curricular approaches that are experiential, student-centered, and inquiry-based. They should also be prepared to mentor students, maintain a program of scholarship, and provide meaningful service. The person hired in this position may be required to teach evenings, weekends, online, and at off-site locations.    

Candidates should submit a cover letter describing current scholarship, research interests, teaching experience, and teaching philosophy; curriculum vitae; unofficial transcripts; and contact information for three references.  

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  Initial interviews will be held via Zoom or Teams.

Governors State University is the only regional, public, comprehensive university in Chicago’s south suburban area, serving approximately 5,000 students annually. GovState provides accessible, high value undergraduate and graduate education to culturally and economically diverse students. GovState is designated as a minority-serving institution, a predominantly Black institution, and an emerging Hispanic-serving institution reflecting the demographics of the region and communities we serve.  With among the lowest undergraduate tuition in Illinois, GovState offers accredited programs that have earned high praise from national accrediting agencies. GovState has developed a state-of-the art General Education program and student academic and support services to foster student and community engagement. New faculty at GovState must demonstrate enthusiasm and ability to work with students at all levels, from first-year to graduate.

Through its Institutional Strategic Framework, Better Together, GovState emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university’s high academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasing hybrid and online offerings, and outstanding educational value. GovState is a national leader in successful transfer of community college students to universities, and is leading through the Kresge-supported Dual Degree Program, with features such as tuition lock-in at GovState for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time. GovState offers several applied doctoral degrees in health, counseling fields and Interdisciplinary Leadership.

The exceptionally beautiful campus is conveniently located within easy reach by road and rail to Chicago and surrounding communities that have a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. The highly diverse region GovState serves has a number of high performing schools and engaged communities as well as struggling urban, suburban, and rural communities. GovState serves as a public square, working to foster educational opportunities for all populations.

Salary and benefits package are commensurate with education and experience. 

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications include:

1. Ph.D., Ed.D, or other terminal degree in History, History Education or closely related field. ABD will be considered, all degree requirements must be completed by August 15, 2026.
2. License to teach secondary history/social sciences (grades 9–12) or ability to ensure license is in good standing prior to hire (e.g., renewal of lapsed license).
3. Evidence of proficiency in teaching.
4. Have a subfield or extensive training and experience in teacher education.
5. Demonstrated ability to maintain an active research agenda consistent with the maintenance of AQ (“Academically Qualified”) faculty status under accreditation standards.
6. Ability to complement the program’s strengths.

Preferred qualifications

1. Evidence of advanced knowledge in educational technology, curriculum design, and best instructional practices for teaching diverse learners.
2. Experience with non-traditional, first-generation, and/or traditionally underrepresented student populations. 
3. Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Social Science and Social Science teaching methods. 
4. Experience coordinating Secondary Education microteaching. 
5. Familiarity with the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP), National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) standards for educator preparation, and Illinois State Board of Education licensure assessments.
6. Experience with teaching online courses.
7. Demonstrated record of scholarship through publication and conference presentations.

Supplemental Information

 To apply, applicants should submit a cover letter describing current scholarship, research interests, teaching experience, and teaching philosophy; curriculum vitae; unofficial transcripts; and contact information for three professional references by February 15, 2026, to receive full consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will only be contacted prior to candidate interviews.

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