Assistant Professor in Practice - Composition (Music)
- Location: Main Campus
- Job Type: Full-Time Faculty
- Job Number: 202700072
- Org: Music
- Opening Date: 11/05/2026
- Closing Date: 5/5/2027 11:59 PM Central
- Primary Contact: Stephen Lias
- Department Phone #: (936) 468-6282
- Department Email: slias@sfasu.edu
- Salary Grade: 0
- Projected Start Date: 09/01/2027
SUMMARY
The School of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University welcomes applications for an open rank, non-tenure track position, ranging from Lecturer to Assistant Professor in Practice, with a Starting date in the 2027 fall semester. We seek an active composer with college-level teaching experience and a growing or established professional reputation. The composition area at SFA strives to prepare students for success across a wide variety of styles and applications ranging from traditional concert and chamber music to film and game scoring. As one of the only online degrees in theory-composition in the nation, we also have a strong commitment to rigorous and engaging distance education. We seek candidates who share these objectives and are prepared to be inspiring teachers and collaborative colleagues. The teaching assignment will focus on applied composition, media scoring, and related classes at the undergraduate and graduate level (both in-person and online teaching). Candidates should have strong DAW skills and an understanding of music implementation in game/film, as well as experience with traditional arranging, orchestration, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Required Qualifications
- Masters degree in composition or media scoring.
- Two years teaching experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Earned doctorate or equivalent professional experience and college teaching experience in composition.
JOB DESCRIPTION
This is a part-time or full-time, non-tenure track faculty position in a professional experience program. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the academic unit head.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Assistant Professor in Practice will be a successful and effective professional in the discipline. A terminal or professional degree may be presented, but is not required, to support the requirements for consideration. Education requirements will be relative to position, professional experience and qualifications.
Practical experience sufficient to teach at the university level, through teaching or profession, is required. Experience teaching at the university level is preferred.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Prepares and delivers classes to undergraduate and/or graduate students.
- Performs a predetermined amount of teaching load credits (TLC) during the regular academic year; reduction of teaching load through reassignment of duties is possible under certain circumstances.
- Complies, administers, and grades examinations.
- Provides services to the university and the profession.
- May conduct supplemental instructional activities such as independent studies, internships and advising.
NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- May supervise the work of student and/or graduate assistants.
- May serve on departmental, college, and university committees.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Extensive knowledge and practical experience in the field in which the individual will be teaching.
- Ability to effectively teach undergraduate and/or graduate students.
- Ability to work within a collaborative faculty environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
- Ability to work effectively and patiently with students.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT
Please upload the following to the appropriate section of the application portal.
- Cover letter that addresses the following:
- Your experience teaching applied composition.
- Your experience with online teaching.
- Your command of technology and practices in media scoring, as well as any other compositional specializations and/or secondary areas of expertise in music.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Teaching philosophy, addressing general pedagogy and composition-specific practices.
- Unofficial transcripts for all college degrees.
- List of three references with contact information. Do not send letters at this time. References may be contacted via email to provide letters at a later date.
- Under "Other" please submit:
- Works list with important commissions, production credits, performances, collaborations, publications, and recordings (If not contained in CV).
- Three musical scores of original compositions in PDF format. Aim for contrast, variety, and breadth.
- PDF file with links to audio/video recordings of three representative works or demo reels featuring contrasting styles (do not need to match scores, although that is certainly appropriate).
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Safety Statement
Stephen F. Austin State University recognizes the potential for accidents in performing job-related tasks. SFA promotes a safe working environment. Employees will be responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently. Employee evaluations will include safe job performance.
This is a security-sensitive position subject to criminal record check.
This is an IT-sensitive position subject to Computer and Network Security policy.
Sponsorship Statement
In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants must be legally able to accept work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
This position is eligible for participation in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), subject to the position being full-time and at least 4 1/2 months in length, or the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirement plan, subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
For resources regarding retirement and benefits, navigate to the University of Texas System Employee Benefit page.
Additional benefits for SFA employees are detailed on the SFA Benefits page.
Required Question
01
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.
- Did not complete High School
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Some College
- Associate degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctorate degree or ABD
02
If you indicated that you have a degree, please list your field(s) of study. If you indicated ABD, please provide the expected date of degree completion. Enter N/A if this question does not apply.
Employer
Stephen F. Austin State University (TX)
Address
1936 North St
Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962
Phone
936-468-2304
