William Paterson University invites applications for adjunct faculty within the College of Education, Department of Special Education and Professional Counseling for classes within the Disability Studies program.   

Thank you for expressing interest in serving as an adjunct faculty member at William Paterson University.

Please note that there may not be a vacancy at this time. Rather, qualified applicants may be contacted if and when there is an immediate need, or on an exploratory basis for a future opening.

For general questions, please email talent@wpunj.edu

Courses in this program generally taught by adjunct faculty include, but are not limited to:

• DIS 1010 - Rethinking (dis)Ability
• DIS 2010 - Identity and Disability
• DIS 2070 - Disability in Media and Literature
• DIS 3030 - Service Learning in Disability Studies
• DIS 4090 - Disability in a Global Society

Program Overview:

Disability Studies is an emerging academic liberal arts discipline that proactively explores the nature and meaning of disability as a social construct instead of as a medical deficit. Disability has always been one category of diversity and identity that has been a natural part of the human experience, permeating race, gender, age, and socioeconomic groups. However, individuals with disabilities continue to be marginalized and oppressed, and are traditionally not included in other efforts to increase diversity in society.

The program explores the models and theories of disability both nationally and internationally, looking at laws, policies, cultures, and history as a way to de-stigmatize disease, illness, and impairment. Instruction in Disability Studies seeks to provide students a level of understanding that will help remove the physical, legal, and attitudinal barriers that have continued to marginalize individuals with disabilities from fully participating in society.

For more information about the program, please visit   https://wpunj.edu/coe/departments/sped/programs/ba-disability-studies.html

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Using the course outline as a guide, develop relevant syllabi in order to deploy course content, objectives, and methods of student assessment for up to six (6) credits per semester in an undergraduate course (see course listing above)
• Participate actively in the online discussions: sharing experiences and perspectives; probing students with questions that require critical thinking skills; highlighting key learning points; answering student questions.
• Administer evaluations of student performance based on course deliverables and course rubrics. All course grades will be posted on the Blackboard Grade Center in a timely manner.
• Contribute to student success by providing consistent and effective support and guidance through role modeling and mentoring
• Use WPU email, Blackboard, and other WPU specific technology (Starfish / Banner) for a variety of teaching and administrative applications

Required Qualifications:

• Earned Master’s degree and relevant professional or personal experience with individuals with disabilities. Earned degrees should be in Disability Studies or a relevant field (Counseling, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Public Policy, Law and Legal Studies)

Preferred Qualifications:

• One or more years teaching in higher education

Personal Attributes and Traits:

• Thrives in a collegial, cooperative environment
• Dedicated to excellence and achieving positive outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Capacity to fulfill professional responsibilities with a strong sense of moral duty and obligation to the work at hand

Interested candidates should:

• Complete an online application
• Submit a curriculum vitae/resume and cover letter

About William Paterson:

William Paterson University is the third most diverse public university in New Jersey. As a longstanding member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), we have been designated by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. William Paterson University is also proud to be designated as a NASA MSI (Minority Serving Institution). The University offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs that range from liberal arts and sciences to pre- professional and professional programs; it enrolls nearly 10,000 students from across the country and from over 40 nations. The University is situated on a beautiful, 370-acre suburban campus in Wayne, New Jersey, just twenty miles west of New York City.

William Paterson University is an equal opportunity employer that actively values and supports diversity among faculty, staff and students. Women, minorities, and members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.