Position Function:
The Assistant or Associate Professor of Physical Education and Coaching is under the administrative supervision of the Head of the Department of Kinesiology. This is a tenure-track position. The faculty member will be responsible for teaching, research, and service.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Mississippi State University (MSU) is the only Southeastern Conference school to make the 2024 Top 50 list of “America’s Best Large Employers” recently published by Forbes. At No. 41, Mississippi State is one of only three universities in the U.S. ranked in the Top 50—joining the University of Notre Dame (20) and Purdue University (47). In the expanded Top 100 list, the SEC’s University of Tennessee, Knoxville and University of Kentucky are No. 79 and 97, respectively. In 2023 and for the eighth consecutive year, MSU was honored by the national publication, The Chronicle of Higher Education, as a “Great College to Work For.” Based on survey feedback from employees, only 50 four-year institutions achieved this highly respected recognition last year. Also for the eighth straight year, MSU was named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll for achieving outstanding results in multiple recognition categories.
The Department of Kinesiology is housed within the College of Education and features numerous exceptional areas of study for graduate and undergraduate students. The department has over 20 faculty serving approximately 1,100 students. The department is slated to move into a brand new 67,000 sq ft “state of the art” kinesiology facility, housing over 16,000 sq ft of research space in addition to four classrooms and offices, in the fall of 2025. Collaborative opportunities exist in the department, across the university, and in the local community.
The Partnership Middle School is a collaboration between MSU and the Starkville Oktibbeha School District to serve all 6th and 7th graders in the district on the MSU campus. This 128,000 sq ft building houses up to 1000 students and includes facilities for athletics, band, music, arts, robotics, foreign languages, labs, and outdoor resources including an activity field, walking track and outdoor gardens and dining. Preservice educators in MSU degree programs observe and learn innovative practices they can bring into the schools they will serve in. In-service educators have opportunities to collaborate with MSU faculty and staff for programs and research, as well as, opportunities that allow them to provide insight in how to best shape the preservice teacher experience and to learn more about curriculum and teaching practices to carry back into their classrooms.
Undergraduate students can choose one of six concentrations: Clinical Exercise Physiology, Performance Fitness, Sport Administration, Physical Education and Coaching, Physical Activity and Coaching, Neuromechanics. Master's students can choose from one of four concentrations: Sport Administration, Sport Pedagogy, Disability Studies, and Exercise Physiology. Doctoral students have two concentrations to choose from: Sport Studies and Exercise Science.
The physical education and coaching program is designed to meet the need of students interested in becoming physical education teachers in public and private schools. Students who complete the program will be eligible for teacher licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education.
The physical activity and coaching program integrates coaching and recreation courses to prepare students with careers in Coaching in Non-Traditional settings along with Recreation management settings in the sport industry. Upon graduation, students will have many opportunities to select their careers that include, but are not limited to, park and tourism, recreation camp organizations, YMCA and YWCA facilities, parks at the local, state, and national levels, youth sports coaching (AAU, Club teams, etc.), and intercollegiate sports coaching.
Area of Specialization:
Physical Education and Coaching; Physical Activity and Coaching
Anticipated Appointment Date:
August 16, 2025
Tenure Track Status:
Tenure-Track
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Physical Education and Coaching (PECO)/Physical Activity and Coaching (PACO) curriculums
• Develop and enhance Sport Pedagogy at the graduate level
• Coordinate K-12 teacher credential programs in PECO
• Conduct and publish research, scholarly and creative activities in area of expertise
• Develop and sustain external funding
• Collaborate and supervise undergraduate and graduate student research, including graduate projects
• Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students regarding career and secondary degree options
• Establish service-learning opportunities for students
• Participate in service to the department, college, university, and profession or community
Minimum Qualifications:
• Doctoral degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, with a specialization in physical education teacher education or related field
• ABD will be considered with completion date within 1 year of hiring
• Demonstrated potential to teach at the college level
• Demonstrated potential to conduct research, and engage in other scholarly and creative activities
Preferred Qualifications:
• Teacher certification or the ability to obtain a teaching certification/license.
• Demonstrable evidence of high-quality teaching a variety of exercise and sports science courses at the university level
• Demonstrable evidence of using a variety of instructional strategies, including face-to-face, online, and hybrid delivery, experiential learning, or field-based experiences to engage students
• Commitment to working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and other institutional employees
• Prior certified public school teaching experience at K-12 level
• Evidence of successful undergraduate and/or graduate teaching in Physical Education Teacher Education coursework
• Focused research agenda with a record of research publications and/or presentations
• Potential to develop and/or obtain grants and external funding
• Evidence of professional and leadership activities
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team of scientists is desirable.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required.
Instructions for Applying:
Applicant must apply online. Please include cover letter and resume along with names and addresses of three references.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
