Assistant Professor of Commercial Music

Faculty are essential to Liberty University's mission of Training Champions for Christ. It is expected that a faculty member model a personal commitment to the goals and values of Liberty University, engage in an active commitment to, and experience of, personal spiritual formation within a biblically informed Christian worldview. Faculty should view their teaching, engagement with students, and scholarship as a means to a significant educational end. They should strive to employ a variety of techniques for the development of good learning conditions, view each student as a unique individual, and insofar as it is possible, provide for individual differences, abilities, and interests.


The Assistant Professor's primary role is to teach in their areas of expertise, maintain the integrity of course and instructional programs, and to ensure that their delivery is in alignment with the University mission and vision for the student experience. As such, faculty are responsible for creating an academic atmosphere of mutual respect and consideration for individual dignity. Faculty members may be asked to aid in the development of curriculum in the residential and distance education environments, as well as engage in research/scholarship or creative activity that varies depending upon the expectations of their respective college or school and any additional activities involving service to students and their professional discipline.


Faculty attain the rank of Assistant Professor based upon scholarly and professional achievements. An earned doctoral degree or a terminal master's degree at an accredited institution in an area relevant to the faculty member's area of teaching or a professional certificate (e.g., CPA) is preferred but not required.

Assistant Professors are contracted for 10, 11, or 12 months (30, 33, or 36 load hours, respectively). Release from contracted teaching load is determined each semester by the Dean, per Liberty University Faculty Handbook.

The Michael W. Smith Center for Commercial Music at Liberty University seeks a dynamic and innovative faculty member to join our growing program. This full-time, residential faculty position focusing on teaching and mentoring students in the areas of music production, music business, and songwriting, preparing them for careers in the contemporary music industry- all grounded in a biblical worldview.

ABOUT THE CENTER

The Michael W. Smith Center for Commercial Music provides comprehensive training in contemporary music performance, production, and business, preparing students for diverse careers in the modern music industry while equipping them to serve as champions for Christ in the marketplace.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach undergraduate courses in music production (studio recording, mixing, digital audio workstations), music business (copyright, publishing, marketing, entrepreneurship), and songwriting (lyric writing, composition, arranging).

• Supervise student projects and mentor students in creative and professional development.

• Contribute to curriculum development and program assessment in Commercial Music.

• Maintain an active professional profile in the music industry.

• Participate in departmental meetings, student recruitment, and university service.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Music Production, Music Technology, Commercial Music, Music Business, Songwriting, or related field

• Demonstrated proficiency in professional music notation software and digital audio production platforms

• Industry certification or equivalent professional experience in music production technology

• Knowledge of music industry business practices, including intellectual property, contracts, and revenue streams

• Evidence of successful teaching or professional training experience

• Ability to effectively integrate biblical worldview principles into curriculum and student mentorship

• Personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and passion for training champions for Christ

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree (DMA, PhD, or equivalent) in relevant field

• Professional songwriting, production, or engineering credits

• Experience in music publishing, licensing, or other music business sectors

• Industry certifications in music technology platforms

• Experience teaching in the contemporary commercial music industry

• Active involvement in the contemporary commercial music industry

• Entrepreneurial experience in music-related ventures

• Ministry experience or involvement in church music leadership

Target Hire Date
2026-07-01

Time Type
Full time

Location
Lynchburg - In Office

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University's hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the "religion" component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.