Assistant Professor - Recreation Therapy

Assistant Professor – Recreation Therapy

College: College of Health and Human Services - 315 College
Dept/School: School of Health & Applied Human Sciences - 31530
Vacancy Number: 16F-826
Position Number: 6102
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The School of Health and Applied Human Sciences (SHAHS) within the College Health and Human Services (CHHS) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), seeks an outstanding faculty member for a 9-month tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Recreation Therapy program beginning August 2027.

The successful candidate will be capable of teaching a variety of undergraduate courses in the program’s curriculum. Further, the successful candidate will conduct research, publish, write grants, recruit and mentor students, and provide community engagement and professional service. This is a non-remote position, therefore, the successful candidate will be expected to reside in Southeastern North Carolina or the Wilmington area and maintain a campus presence to work in a collaborative interdisciplinary academic setting.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Doctoral degree in recreation therapy/therapeutic recreation, or a closely related field with at least 18 hours of graduate coursework in recreation therapy/therapeutic recreation.
• CTRS credential through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
• LRT credential through the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (or eligible for LRT credential)
• Evidence of successful college teaching in recreation therapy/therapeutic recreation.
• Emerging research success and strong potential for future scholarship evidenced through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and other scholarly products.
• Substantial experience working in recreation therapy/therapeutic recreation or closely related area of practice with diverse populations.

Note: Applicants who are ABD at the time of application will be considered. To be appointed to a tenure-track position, all degree requirements must be completed and the terminal degree officially conferred prior to the start of the appointment. Candidates who have not met these requirements by the appointment start date may be appointed to a Practice Track or lecturer position and may be considered for transition to the tenure-track rank upon successful completion and official conferral of the terminal degree.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Capability for grant activity in recreation therapy/therapeutic recreation or a closely related area of scholarship.
• Ability to form successful community engagement relationships including partnerships with relevant healthcare and other community agencies.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with constituents across the School, College and University.
• Previous experience with program accreditation, particularly with CAAHEP / CARTE.
• Evidence of successful technology integration in course delivery including the Canvas course management system.
• Previous successful experience serving on state, regional, and/or national committees or boards specific to recreation therapy/therapeutic recreation, or a closely related field.
• Experience with AI use in educational and professional settings.

Required Certifications or Licensure

• CTRS credential through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
• LRT credential through the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (or eligible for LRT credential)

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Recreation Therapy Program at UNCW has existed for over 40 years and became accredited by CAAHEP/CARTE in 2020. The program has four full-time and a mix of part-time faculty. The curriculum includes 15 required RT content courses and two field placements; electives in aquatic therapy, adapted sports, cognitive retraining, stress and pain management, child life, and assistance dog training, among others; as well as a 4+1 combined BA in RT and MS in Applied Gerontology.

The Recreation Therapy program is housed within the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences (SHAHS), which is a large and growing academic unit with over 1,900 students and 60 full-time faculty. See: https://uncw.edu/academics/colleges/chhs/schools/health-applied-human-sciences/

The SHAHS has six undergraduate degree programs:

• Public Health
• Exercise Science
• Healthful Living and Fitness Education
• Tourism, Recreation, & Sport
• Recreation Therapy
• Respiratory Therapy (Face-to-face and fully online option)

The SHAHS also has graduate degrees in:

• Athletic Training
• Healthcare Administration (100% Online program)
• Gerontology with 4+1 options:
  • (Bachelors / Masters) with Public Health / Gerontology
  • Recreation Therapy / Gerontology
  • Exercise Science / Gerontology
  • Physical Therapy (in preparation)

The SHAHS also supports:

• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) through the Watson College of Education
• Master of Education concentration in Physical Education and Health through the Watson College of Education

Minors are offered in:

• Gerontology
• Health & Wellness Coaching
• Whole Health & Wellness Studies
• Tourism, Recreation, & Sport
• Yoga Studies
• Assistance Dog Training

The SHAHS is also home to the Physical Activity and Wellness (WPA/L) program which delivers courses that fulfill University Studies requirements. The SHAHS is located in Veterans Hall which includes many state-of-the-art instructional and lab spaces utilized by the Exercise Science program.

College/School Information

The College of Health and Human Services was created in July 2010 to provide UNCW with a new mechanism to link and focus its health-related research, professional continuing education, and health knowledge dissemination and application. In the formative stage of development, the CHHS is currently home to three professional schools: School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, School of Nursing, and School of Social Work. This is an outstanding opportunity to join a dynamic College that seeks to be nationally recognized for its inter-professional collaboration, community engagement and impact, and implementation science. The faculty, staff and students of the CHHS are committed to the pursuit of excellence and enhancing health and quality of life across the lifespan for individuals, families and communities in southeastern North Carolina and beyond.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings: Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

Position Type: Permanent
Job Posting Date: 10/28/2026
Job Close Date: 11/30/2026

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vita
3. List of 3 Professional References
4. Combined Unofficial Graduate Transcripts
5. Teaching Philosophy
6. Research Summary

Optional Documents