What are the responsibilities and job description for the Open Rank of Occupational Therapy (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor) position at Appalachian State University?
Posting Details
Request to Recruit
Tenure Status
Tenure Track
Provide Rank
Assistant / Associate / Full Professor / BCBS Distinguished Professorship
Position Number
091451
VISA Sponsorship?
VISA sponsorship is available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
Department
Rehabilitation Sciences - 273100
Working Location (City, State)
Boone, NC
Position Summary Information
Minimum Qualifications
- An earned terminal doctoral degree in occupational therapy or occupational science, or an entry-level degree in occupational therapy combined with a doctoral degree in a related field
- A minimum of three years of practice experience in occupational therapy
- Training or experience demonstrating the potential for effective teaching, student mentoring, and conducting research in the area of expertise
Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.
Areas of Interest and Preferred Qualifications (No Minimum Level Required)
Appalachian State University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in May 2026 and recently graduated its first cohort of students. The program seeks an experienced faculty member with established expertise, leadership, and scholarly perspective to join a collegial academic community committed to excellence in occupational therapy education, meaningful scholarship, and service to the profession and surrounding communities. As a faculty member, this individual will have opportunities to help shape the continued growth and direction of the occupational therapy program, mentor students and faculty, advance an established program of scholarship, and build interdisciplinary and community partnerships across the Beaver College of Health Sciences, the University, and region. Appalachian State University is classified as a Research 2- Doctoral University, characterized by high research spending and doctorate production by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and has expanding opportunities for research and innovation.
For appointments at the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must demonstrate a documented record of effective teaching, student mentoring, and independent research in the area of expertise as evidenced by scholarly dissemination and pursuit of funding.
For appointments at the rank of Full Professor or Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Distinguished Professor, candidates must meet all departmental, university, and college requirements for appointment with tenure, including demonstrating a documented history of exemplary teaching, successful mentoring of students and other faculty, institutional and professional service, and an established program of research including dissemination and extramural funding. Candidates at this rank are also anticipated to have a record of successful mentoring of other faculty.
Highly qualified candidates whose experience and credentials demonstrate the capacity to provide leadership and vision will be considered for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Distinguished Professorship. Competitive candidates will present:
For appointments at the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must demonstrate a documented record of effective teaching, student mentoring, and independent research in the area of expertise as evidenced by scholarly dissemination and pursuit of funding.
For appointments at the rank of Full Professor or Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Distinguished Professor, candidates must meet all departmental, university, and college requirements for appointment with tenure, including demonstrating a documented history of exemplary teaching, successful mentoring of students and other faculty, institutional and professional service, and an established program of research including dissemination and extramural funding. Candidates at this rank are also anticipated to have a record of successful mentoring of other faculty.
Highly qualified candidates whose experience and credentials demonstrate the capacity to provide leadership and vision will be considered for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Distinguished Professorship. Competitive candidates will present:
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in an occupational therapy educational program with a focus on student-and subject-centered pedagogy
- Strong record of mentorship of both students and faculty
- Evidence of an independent and sustained line of research
License/Certification Required
Initial national board certification as an occupational therapist. Licensed or eligible for licensure as an occupational therapist in North Carolina, USA
Description of the Department or Unit
The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, within the Beaver College of Health Sciences, includes fully accredited graduate programs in Athletic Training, Speech-Language Pathology, and Occupational Therapy, an undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and minors in American Sign Language and Communication Sciences and Disorders. Our students are trained to empower people of all ages to improve/restore their functional abilities, fulfill their daily routines and roles, mitigate limitations or disabilities following injury or illness, and live full lives in the context of differing abilities. In addition, the department is home to the Charles and Geneva S. Scott Scottish Rite Communication Disorders Clinic, which provides speech-language pathology, audiology, and pediatric occupational therapy services as an outreach to the community and serves as a primary site for student clinical training. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences graduates transition into their respective positions as qualified healthcare practitioners with enhanced clinical skills, knowledge, and values. They will be well-prepared to improve the health and wellness of people across the region, state, and world. The department emphasizes interprofessional education, clinical-academic collaboration, and academic excellence. For more information, go to https://rhs.appstate.edu/
Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) is transforming the health and quality of lives of individuals, families, and communities through inclusive practices, interprofessional collaboration, and innovation in teaching, scholarship, service, and clinical outreach. The BCHS supports over 3,400 students in ten undergraduate and ten graduate degree programs, organized into seven academic departments with 240 faculty and staff. The programs are located in Boone in the Holmes Convocation Center and the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences, the cornerstone of Boone’s Wellness District. We also have a clinical presence at the Hickory campus. The college supports the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness and has a collaborative partnership with the Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program and multiple health and human service agencies across the region. Learn more at https://healthsciences.appstate.edu
Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) is transforming the health and quality of lives of individuals, families, and communities through inclusive practices, interprofessional collaboration, and innovation in teaching, scholarship, service, and clinical outreach. The BCHS supports over 3,400 students in ten undergraduate and ten graduate degree programs, organized into seven academic departments with 240 faculty and staff. The programs are located in Boone in the Holmes Convocation Center and the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences, the cornerstone of Boone’s Wellness District. We also have a clinical presence at the Hickory campus. The college supports the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness and has a collaborative partnership with the Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program and multiple health and human service agencies across the region. Learn more at https://healthsciences.appstate.edu
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach graduate courses related to occupation-based therapy; maintain expertise in areas of teaching responsibility
- Conduct and disseminate research in area of expertise and seek funding to support this research
- Collaborate with faculty in the MSOT program to ensure compliance with ACOTE accreditation and assist in collaborative program development including involvement in student recruitment and success
- Work with the program director to advance program sustainability and leadership
- Perform academic service appropriate for academic rank and professional or community-based service related to scholarly interests
Type of Position
Full Time Position
Appointment Type
1.0 FTE
Number Of Months Per Year
9 months
Physical Demands of Position
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Posting Details Information
Proposed Date of Hire
08/09/2027
Suggested Salary Range
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
ABD Consideration:
No ABD consideration (see desc. below)
ABD Description
ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate’s salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.
No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.
No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please provide with your application the following documents: Letter of Interest, Curriculum Vitae, Professional Reference List, Unofficial Transcripts, Teaching and Mentorship Philosophy, and Research Agenda.
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.
Posting Date
09/11/2026
Closing Date
11/15/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Evaluation of Applications Begins
10/01/2026
Search Chair Name
Dr. Jennifer Howard
Search Chair Email
howardjs@appstate.edu
Quick Link
https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/55953
Posting Number
FA00603P
Benefits:
Professional Development, Paid HolidaysSalary : $66,442 - $112,847