Assistant Professor - Social Studies Education

Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

The Mary Frances Early College of Education (MFE COE), one of the nation’s largest colleges of education, consistently ranks in the top ten national Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction programs. The College offers significant possibilities for interdisciplinary research collaborations, program development, and school-community partnerships. The college’s Research Office provides strong pre- and post-award grant support. The College is named for the University of Georgia’s first African American graduate, a pioneering educator who played an integral role in the campaign for racial equality in Georgia and across the South. The department and college are recognized leaders in developing partnerships with local communities and schools to provide pre-service and inservice professional development, and to expand students’ experiential learning and service-learning opportunities.

As the 4th largest public college of education in the country and the 3rd largest college at UGA, the Mary Frances Early College of Education (MFE COE) improves the lives of residents of Georgia and beyond through our instruction, research, and service. The MFE COE is a comprehensive college with disciplines focused on teacher preparation, counseling and human development, communication sciences, human movement sciences, career development, student affairs, and educational administration and policy. We place significant emphasis on graduate education with approximately 40% of our students at the graduate level, making us the second largest college at UGA with respect to graduate education.

The Department of Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Education consists of 8 full-time science educators, 9 full-time mathematics educators, and 4 full-time social studies educators with a variety of research interests. The Social Studies Education Program offers BSEd, MEd, MA, MAT, EdS, and PhD degrees; attracts and supports national and international doctoral students; and has strong collaborative relationships with colleagues across the social sciences, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and area school districts.

For more information about the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education, visit https://coe.uga.edu/directory/math-science-and-social-studies-education; for UGA, visit www.uga.edu; for Athens, visit www.visitathensga.com; and for Georgia, visit www.georgia.gov.

College/Unit/Department website: https://coe.uga.edu/directory/math-science-and-social-studies-education/

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2027

Job Posting Date: 09/14/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applications received by October 15, 2026 are assured full consideration. We will continue to accept and screen applications until the position is filled. A complete application includes:

• A letter of application that addresses both research and teaching (not to exceed 4 pages).
• A curriculum vitae.
• Transcripts for all degrees earned and in progress (unofficial transcripts accepted initially).
• Two samples of scholarly writing combined into one .pdf document.
• Three letters of recommendation submitted directly by your references through UGAJobs

Please direct inquiries to the search committee chair, Dr. Tianna Dowie-Chin (tdowiechin@uga.edu).

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement:

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Assistant Professor

Faculty Rank: Assistant Professor

Contract Type: Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status: Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate (PhD or similar) in social studies education, curriculum and instruction, teacher education, education, or a closely related field by August 1, 2027.

Position Summary:

The Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education at the University of Georgia invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education, with a focus on elementary (PK–8) social studies education, to begin August 1, 2027. The position is a tenure-track, academic-year (nine-month) appointment based at the Athens campus, with the possibility of summer employment. The position is contingent upon the availability of funding.

We seek a scholar and educator who will provide leadership in elementary (PK–8) social studies education in teaching, program development, and mentoring doctoral students pursuing research and practice in this area. The successful candidate will contribute to the continued development of social studies teacher education at the University of Georgia and will be expected to engage meaningfully with the preparation and professional learning of teachers across grade levels, with particular expertise and leadership in elementary social studies education.

Additional Requirements:

• At least three years of professional PK–12 teaching experience, which includes social studies.
• An active record of scholarly productivity commensurate with career stage, including peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, developing an externally funded research program.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, effective teaching in social studies teacher education programs, including the preparation of elementary teachers.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, mentoring graduate students and contributing to graduate education.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification:

We are particularly interested in a colleague whose scholarship, teaching, and professional experiences position them to advance social studies education, broadly conceived. Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, elementary social studies teaching and learning; civic education and civic engagement; culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies; curriculum and curriculum development; social studies methods; history education; geography education; political science/civics education; economics education; critical approaches to social studies education; teacher education; and/or interdisciplinary approaches to elementary social studies.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Evidence of leadership in elementary social studies education through scholarship, teaching, professional organizations, curriculum development, school partnerships, or other forms of professional engagement.
• Evidence that social studies education, however broadly defined, is central to the applicant’s research agenda
• Record of, or potential for, mentoring or supervising graduate students, including doctoral students
• Proven history of working with students and/or communities representing varied backgrounds, identities, experiences, and learning preferences.
• Ability to teach face-to-face and online within the current program curriculum.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Is this a Position of Trust?: No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: No

Does this position require a P-Card?: No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): No

Credit and P-Card policy:

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy:

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication focused on social studies education.
• Seek and pursue external funding to support an active program of research.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in social studies education, including elementary social studies methods and other courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise and the needs of the program.
• Contribute to the preparation of social studies teachers across undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs.
• Mentor and advise doctoral students, particularly in research and teaching related to elementary social studies education.
• Direct theses, dissertations, and other graduate student research.
• Contribute to the development and strengthening of the Social Studies Education program through curriculum development, program leadership, and collaborative initiatives.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with PK–12 schools, teachers, school districts, professional organizations, and/or community partners.
• Contribute to the department, college, university, profession, and public through appropriate service and leadership.
• Participate in face-to-face and online instruction as appropriate to program needs.

Percentage Of Time: 100

Organization

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.