Assistant Professor of Composition-Music Theory

School of Music
College of the Arts
Assistant Professor
Fall 2025

The School of Music at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure‐track Assistant Professor in Composition-Music Theory with an appointment to begin in August 2025.

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a minority-serving institution, affirmative action, and equal opportunity employer. CSUF is firmly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum and fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences. Individuals advancing the University’s strategic diversity goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.

CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has established affinity groups you can join to support your success. 

Position
The School of Music at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Composition-Music Theory. Preference will be given to applicants with teaching and research experience in Music Composition, Music Theory in traditional, art music curriculum, and Music Technology. Experience in teaching music theory and music composition to music majors is required. Applicants must effectively use current technologies in teaching and be conversant with emerging theoretical research and teaching methods. We seek applicants who can help the School of Music update its general education offerings, have experience with diverse traditions, and are interested in and experienced with teaching music in online instruction.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate music theory courses, graduate music theory seminars, music composition, and music technology and assist in directing the New Music Ensemble. The successful candidate will have an established record of college or university-level teaching and peer-reviewed publications and recordings; will supervise undergraduate and graduate music composition and theory theses; and will share in departmental responsibilities, including student advisement and service on committees. Applicants must have a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, peer-reviewed research, and professional and university service.

Job Duties to Include:

• Develop and teach any of the following courses, based on the candidate's qualifications: Music Technology; Elements of Music; Music Theory I, II, and III; Musicianship I, II, and III; Beginning Composition; Orchestration, Instrumentation and Arranging; Form and Analysis, Advanced Form and Analysis, Counterpoint; Graduate Music Theory; Graduate Music Theory Seminar.
• Teach applied composition lessons.
• Establish or maintain an active career as a composer in any style or medium, with recognition at the national and international level.
• Recruit in collaboration with colleagues.
• Serve on School of Music committees.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D./D.M.A. or equivalent terminal degree in Music Composition/Music Theory. If ABD, the doctorate must be completed by the start date.
• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness.
• Successful prior college or university-level teaching experience.
• Performance and recording of original music, research, and peer-reviewed publication experience indicative of strong potential for tenure.
• Ability to interact effectively with students and faculty in a culturally diverse university community.
• Demonstrated potential for effective integration of technology into instruction.
• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students from intersecting and marginalized social groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as an innovative and skilled instructor of record at the collegiate level.
• Established record as a successful composer at the national level.
• Evidence of ability to teach analysis and performance of a broad spectrum of genres, including contemporary, vernacular, and non-Western music.
• Experience with and ability to teach the artistic use of music technology.
• Evidence of ability to teach composition and improvisation in the classroom and direct a New Music Ensemble.
• Evidence of ability and interest in student recruitment and community outreach.

Application
A complete online application must be received by electronic submission to be considered. To ap