Early Chldhd Youth & Fam Studies

Assistant Lecturer of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies (Child Life)

Ball State University

The Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies welcomes applications for a full-time, on-campus, 10-month / academic year, Assistant Lecturer position beginning Fall 2026. This is a one-year contract faculty appointment, renewable for up to two additional years following the initial term.

Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State University’s ambitious goals for our second century:

• We pledge to provide a premier educational experience for every student.
• We pledge to partner with the community to improve the lives of our neighbors.
• We are dedicated to having a lifelong presence in the lives of our alumni.

And when we complement these promises with our commitment to our enduring values, we define that which makes our University and its culture distinctive.

Our faculty are collegial, collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive, both within and beyond one’s home unit. These attributes include commitments to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and enterprising learning practices.

Our faculty are expected to be innovative, adaptive, engaging teachers across modalities; producers of impactful creative and/or scholarly work; leaders in meaningful service activities to multiple communities. We seek faculty members who are strategic thinkers, engaging our dynamic communities. We are committed to student and faculty success, impact, and access, within an environment that prioritizes inclusive excellence. We inspire each other to be critical thinkers and responsible citizens, so that we can pursue fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.

Ball State University lives the values of Beneficence. We invite you to be part of our community.

At Ball State University, inclusiveness and freedom of expression are a part of our enduring values and inform all of our efforts. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Inclusive Excellence Plan to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.

Position Function: This position is a campus-based teaching role with responsibilities centered in the Child Life concentration. Primary duties include teaching undergraduate courses related to child life, along with one or more of the following areas: infant and child development; infant and child mental health; prosocial development; parenting; family wellness; family stress and resilience; family systems; family relationships; and other topics related to children and families.

Duties and Responsibilities: The standard teaching load is typically four courses in the fall and spring semesters, delivered primarily face-to-face on campus, with the possibility of additional online instruction as needed.

In addition to teaching, the Assistant Lecturer will provide academic advising to Child Life students, supervise child life practicum and internship placements, serve on the Ball State Child Life Advisory Board, and engage in service to the department, college, and university.

Minimum Qualifications: A Master's degree in child life or a related program from an accredited institution; active certification as a Certified Child Life Specialist by the Association of Child Life Professionals.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience working in a clinical setting as a practicing Certified Child Life Specialist; experience teaching undergraduate students in online and face-to-face modalities; a record of successful teaching in the area of child life, child development, or related topics; experience collaborating with hospitals, programs, and departments; membership and or participation in professional child life organizations; effective oral and written communication skills.

Required Certifications: Certified Child Life Specialist

Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 5/4/2026. at 12:01 a.m.

Apply online at BSU Careers. Include the following documents with your application: Curriculum Vitae and in support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University’s enduring values, including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’

The option to upload transcripts is available. Original, official transcripts showing the highest related degree earner is required at the time of hire (even if obtained at BSU). Degree verification will be conducted.