What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant or Associate Professor of Music - Director of Music Therapy position at Pacific Lutheran University?

General Description :

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) at Pacific Lutheran University invites applications for a tenure track position, Director of Music Therapy, to be hired at the rank of assistant or associate professor, beginning September 1, 2025. The Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy is a new degree program at PLU, approved by the faculty and Board of Regents in Fall 2024. Filling this position is contingent upon pending approval of the program by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).The ideal candidate is one who demonstrates exceptional leadership and is well-positioned to build this new program while fostering an inclusive learning environment that attracts and sustains a diverse population of students. A commitment to excellence while working collaboratively with faculty colleagues and students is expected. The PLU SMTD is a nationally recognized center for musical performance, education, and community. The Mary Baker Russell Music Center, with its exquisite Lagerquist Concert Hall and outstanding rehearsal and learning facilities, is an architectural and aesthetic jewel carefully set amid majestic trees in the Pacific Northwest. The Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, a state of the art facility that opened in 2013, provides a venue for most Opera, Theatre, and Dance productions, and a secondary space for some music performances. Essential Functions and Responsibilities :

Provide leadership and direction of the undergraduate Music Therapy program at PLU, including : Ensuring that future curriculum development meets the competency-based objectives required by AMTA and NASM;Documenting all aspects of program evaluation, including learning outcomes, student progress toward proficiency assessments, and maintenance of professional competency standards;Advising Music Therapy majors;Ensuring the academic and clinical Music Therapy program will train students to earn a national Internship, pass the national certification exam, and be eligible for licensure in the state of Washington;The support of a Clinical Supervisor of Music Therapy, working to facilitate Practicum opportunities for Music Therapy students within the Puget Sound region;Developing and overseeing instrument collections, library resources, audio technology, etc., for use in Music Therapy classes and Practicum experiences.
Teach coursework, assigned in accordance with the qualification of the applicant and the instructional needs of the SMTD. Load assignments will primarily include core courses in the Music Therapy curriculum, but may also include supervision of practicum students and pan-university courses.
Pursue scholarly research and publication in Music Therapy.
Assume a position of leadership and high visibility in Music Therapy in the state and region, creating a network of community allies in the healthcare profession, education, and academia that will support and champion the benefits of Music Therapy. Serve as a primary liaison in the Puget Sound region for potential employers to hire graduates, families in need of Music Therapy services, and as a presenter to medical and educational associations in the field of Music Therapy.
Actively participate in state, regional, and national Music Therapy conferences. Pursue continuing education opportunities to be eligible to reapply for Board Certification every five years.
Actively recruit top high school students and participate in SMTD recruiting activities (e.g., department scholarship auditions).
Participate in College of Professional Studies and SMTD faculty activities, as well as relevant service to the university.
Other duties as assigned based upon the appointee’s strengths and School needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with, teach, and mentor diverse groups and / or diverse students.

Demonstrated ability to model and encourage a multi-varied approach to Music Therapy with innovative pedagogy.

Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Knowledge of AMTA and NASM standards, and current research and techniques in Music Therapy and / or related areas.

Strong communication, leadership, and advocacy skills.

Required Qualifications :

Terminal degree (DMA or PhD) in Music Therapy, Music / Music Education with a Music Therapy emphasis, or closely related area. ABD will be considered, but the degree must be completed by September 1, 2025. Master’s degree plus relevant and justifiable professional experience and recognition may substitute for a terminal degree.

Current CBMT certification with at least five years of full time clinical experience, or its equivalent in part time work.

The candidate must be licensed, or eligible to be licensed, in the state of Washington.

Preferred Qualifications :

Prior teaching experience at the college level, or background in the healthcare field.

Terminal degree (DMA or PhD) in Music Therapy, Music / Music Education with a Music Therapy emphasis, or closely related area.

Demonstrated experience with recruitment, curriculum, and clinical training development.

Piano proficiency.

Work Conditions : Physical Requirements : Special Instructions to Applicants : Applicants should submit :

Letter of application that specifically addresses your interest in, and qualifications for, the job responsibilities listed above.

Curriculum vitae.

Statement of teaching philosophy in which you describe your goals for student learning, the methods that you use to help students achieve them, and how you assess student learning. This statement should also explicitly address how you create an inclusive learning environment that is attuned to diversity and equity.

Two sample syllabi for academic courses that you envision teaching within the parameters of the position description (e.g., Introduction to Music Therapy, Music for Diverse Learners, Psychology of Music, Music Therapy in Medicine, Music Therapy in Mental Health & Wellness). The sample syllabi may be from a course previously taught, or one proposed for a future offering.

Full contact information for three references.

For questions or more information, please contact Dr. Brian Galante (galante@plu.edu), Associate Dean of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Chair of the Search Committee. Other Information : Pacific Lutheran University purposefully integrates the liberal arts, professional studies and civic engagement in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Our faculty lead with a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice and instill this commitment in their students. PLU educators work to create an environment where students feel heard and valued, nurturing lifelong learners who aren’t afraid to do things differently to make the world better for everyone. PLU supports faculty as they help students turn ambition into purpose, skills into tools, and their caring into a transformative force.Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a faculty, staff, and student body from all religions, races, socioeconomic groups, sexual orientations, and gender expressions and from all over the world. For the 2023–24 academic year, 41.0 percent of PLU undergraduate students are from the first generation in their families to attend college; 50.0 percent self-identify as students of color; and 36.0 percent are Pell Grant–eligible.Offering distinctive opportunities for global engagement, collaborative student-faculty research, and purposeful learning, our faculty guide 2,700 students from all faiths and backgrounds to discern their purpose through relevant coursework, inclusive mentoring, and internships at world-class Puget Sound-area businesses and institutions. PLU is located on a 156-acre woodland campus in the Parkland neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington and about 40 minutes south of downtown Seattle. The campus reflects consciously green practices and is in proximity to the natural beauty of Mount Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and the Puget Sound.PLU administration supports and respects the strong culture of faculty-shared governance by working closely and collaboratively with faculty leadership to sustain and strengthen existing structures and procedures while working together on key institutional, academic and curricular decisions. PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research, or other work activities. For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and / or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 253-535-7185 or humr@plu.edu . Click here for detailed benefits information.

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