Lecturer and Graduate Program Director - Instructional Design/Critical and Creative Thinking

Job no: 529850
Position Type: Faculty Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Curriculum & Instruction
Pay Grade: 01
Date opened: 29 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

Position Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Massachusetts Boston invites applications for a full-time, benefitted, non‑tenure track lecturer position to lead our Instructional Design and Critical and Creative Thinking programs. Consistent with UMass Boston’s mission as an urban public research university, the College seeks an equity‑minded educator who will contribute to preparing educators, designers, learning professionals from diverse backgrounds who can advance justice‑centered, inclusive, and innovative organizations and learning environments.

Candidates should have academic and practice-based experience in Instructional Design or a closely related field. Candidates should be able to provide evidence of high-quality teaching practice at the higher education level in different modalities. Preferred candidates will have experience directing an Instructional Design or Critical & Creative Thinking program. Ideal candidates will be well-versed in Artificial Intelligence (AI) best practices in teaching and learning.

The successful candidate will teach graduate courses while also serving as Graduate Program Director, contributing to program development, supervising internships, mentoring part-time faculty, and advising students in both programs.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching (Primary Role): Four courses per semester with one course release for serving as Graduate Program Director.

Teach courses in areas such as:

• Instructional design models and learning theory
• Online and hybrid learning environments
• Multimedia development and authoring tools
• Learning experience (LX) and user‑centered design
• Assessment and evaluation of learning
• Critical Thinking

Develop accessible, inclusive, and evidence‑based instructional materials aligned with CEHD’s commitments to equity and social justice.

Provide mentoring, academic advising, and support to graduate students from admissions through graduation.

Curriculum & Program Development

Collaborate with faculty to design, revise, and assess curriculum for Instructional Design and Critical and Creative Thinking programs.

Explore collaborations with other programs.

Support development of innovative courses, certificates, or micro-credentials reflecting emerging trends such as learning analytics, AI‑supported design, information literacy, game-based teaching, and metacognition.

Build connections with industry and community partners.

Supervise student internships.

Service & Instructional Innovation

Contribute to CEHD and departmental committees consistent with expectations across UMass Boston lecturer roles.

Participate in community‑engaged initiatives aligned with the university’s urban and public mission.

Maintain current knowledge of research and best practices in instructional design, learning technologies, inclusive pedagogy, and critical and creative thinking.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Instructional Design, Learning Sciences, Educational Technology, or a closely related field.

Demonstrated successful face-to-face and online teaching experience at the college/ university level.

Practical instructional design experience in higher education, K–12, nonprofit, or corporate learning settings.

Proficiency with multiple learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, Moodle, etc.) and authoring tools (e.g., Articulate 360, H5P).

Evidence of commitment to equity, inclusion, and serving a diverse urban student population.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctoral degree (completed or in progress) in a relevant field.

Experience in online course development or digital learning environments.

Expertise in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), learning analytics, and emerging educational technologies.

Demonstrated success supporting multilingual, racially, and culturally diverse learners.

Affiliations with relevant professional and scholarly associations and organizations.

Appointment Details

This faculty position is full-time, benefited, and non‑tenure track, consistent with UMass Boston lecturer appointments.

Annual renewal is based on performance, program needs, and funding.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit:

Cover letter describing qualifications, teaching philosophy, and ways their teaching would advance our college mission.

Curriculum vitae

Sample instructional design work or teaching materials

Evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available

Contact information for three professional references

Review of applications will begin on June 1 and continue until the position is filled.

UMass Boston expects to pay within an approximate range between $60,000 and $67,500 for this position.

The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on the consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

Position Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Massachusetts Boston invites applications for a full-time, benefitted, non‑tenure track lecturer position to lead our Instructional Design and Critical and Creative Thinking programs. Consistent with UMass Boston’s mission as an urban public research university, the College seeks an equity‑minded educator who will contribute to preparing educators, designers, learning professionals from diverse backgrounds who can advance justice‑centered, inclusive, and innovative organizations and learning environments.

Candidates should have academic and practice-based experience in Instructional Design or a closely related field. Candidates should be able to provide evidence of high-quality teaching practice at the higher education level in different modalities. Preferred candidates will have experience directing an Instructional Design or Critical & Creative Thinking program. Ideal candidates will be well-versed in Artificial Intelligence (AI) best practices in teaching and learning.

The successful candidate will teach graduate courses while also serving as Graduate Program Director, contributing to program development, supervising internships, mentoring part-time faculty, and advising students in both programs.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching (Primary Role): Four courses per semester with one course release for serving as Graduate Program Director.

Teach courses in areas such as:

• Instructional design models and learning theory
• Online and hybrid learning environments
• Multimedia development and authoring tools
• Learning experience (LX) and user‑centered design
• Assessment and evaluation of learning
• Critical Thinking

Develop accessible, inclusive, and evidence‑based instructional materials aligned with CEHD’s commitments to equity and social justice.

Provide mentoring, academic advising, and support to graduate students from admissions through graduation.

Curriculum & Program Development

Collaborate with faculty to design, revise, and assess curriculum for Instructional Design and Critical and Creative Thinking programs.

Explore collaborations with other programs.

Support development of innovative courses, certificates, or micro-credentials reflecting emerging trends such as learning analytics, AI‑supported design, information literacy, game-based teaching, and metacognition.

Build connections with industry and community partners.

Supervise student internships.

Service & Instructional Innovation

Contribute to CEHD and departmental committees consistent with expectations across UMass Boston lecturer roles.

Participate in community‑engaged initiatives aligned with the university’s urban and public mission.

Maintain current knowledge of research and best practices in instructional design, learning technologies, inclusive pedagogy, and critical and creative thinking.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Instructional Design, Learning Sciences, Educational Technology, or a closely related field.

Demonstrated successful face-to-face and online teaching experience at the college/ university level.

Practical instructional design experience in higher education, K–12, nonprofit, or corporate learning settings.

Proficiency with multiple learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, Moodle, etc.) and authoring tools (e.g., Articulate 360, H5P).

Evidence of commitment to equity, inclusion, and serving a diverse urban student population.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctoral degree (completed or in progress) in a relevant field.

Experience in online course development or digital learning environments.

Expertise in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), learning analytics, and emerging educational technologies.

Demonstrated success supporting multilingual, racially, and culturally diverse learners.

Affiliations with relevant professional and scholarly associations and organizations.

Appointment Details

This faculty position is full-time, benefited, and non‑tenure track, consistent with UMass Boston lecturer appointments.

Annual renewal is based on performance, program needs, and funding.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit:

Cover letter describing qualifications, teaching philosophy, and ways their teaching would advance our college mission.

Curriculum vitae

Sample instructional design work or teaching materials

Evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available

Contact information for three professional references

Review of applications will begin on June 1 and continue until the position is filled.

UMass Boston expects to pay within an approximate range between $60,000 and $67,500 for this position.

The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on the consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

Applications close:

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