H-1B Visa Assistant Professor Jobs
Assistant Professor roles at U.S. universities are among the most reliable pathways to H-1B visa sponsorship. Most academic employers are cap-exempt, meaning your petition bypasses the annual lottery. Your department typically initiates the LCA and I-129 filing, but knowing the timeline and requirements before you accept an offer puts you in a stronger position.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.
The School of Nursing (SON) invites applications for the position of Instructor/Assistant Professor of Practice in its prelicensure track. This is a 9-month, fixed-term faculty position. Anticipated begin work date is August 2026. Rank to be determined at the point of hire.
This position is funded with support from the UNC System and is considered time-limited. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon funding availability.
Rank will be commensurate with experience. The traditional BSN program is located in Cullowhee NC with courses delivered face to face. Some clinical teaching will be required. It is expected that the successful candidate will possess outstanding communication skills, evidence of sustained scholarly activity, teach and develop online and traditional courses, advise students, participate on committees, and other university activities. In addition, Western Carolina University has adopted the Boyer Model of Scholarship to support its commitment to integrated learning, the scholarship of engagement, and the stewardship of place.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Masters degree in Nursing or BSN and masters in a related field is required; eligibility for RN licensure in NC; two years teaching experience and two years prior experience in direct patient care as an RN. Applicants must also meet nurse educator requirements as outlined by the NC Board of Nursing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Doctoral degree in nursing or a related field is preferred.
POSITION TYPE
Time-Limited Full-Time
NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK
40
NUMBER OF MONTHS PER YEAR
9
OPEN DATE
06/16/2026
CLOSE DATE
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
No
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include the following: letter of application, current CV, list of three professional references with complete contact information, and unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master’s degree level and higher.
For questions or additional information please contact Terri Durbin, Director of the School of Nursing, at tdurbin@email.wcu.edu.
- All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master’s degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master’s degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.
BACKGROUND/E-VERIFY
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
UNIVERSITY SAFETY
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
INTRODUCTION
The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.
The School of Nursing (SON) invites applications for the position of Instructor/Assistant Professor of Practice in its prelicensure track. This is a 9-month, fixed-term faculty position. Anticipated begin work date is August 2026. Rank to be determined at the point of hire.
This position is funded with support from the UNC System and is considered time-limited. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon funding availability.
Rank will be commensurate with experience. The traditional BSN program is located in Cullowhee NC with courses delivered face to face. Some clinical teaching will be required. It is expected that the successful candidate will possess outstanding communication skills, evidence of sustained scholarly activity, teach and develop online and traditional courses, advise students, participate on committees, and other university activities. In addition, Western Carolina University has adopted the Boyer Model of Scholarship to support its commitment to integrated learning, the scholarship of engagement, and the stewardship of place.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Masters degree in Nursing or BSN and masters in a related field is required; eligibility for RN licensure in NC; two years teaching experience and two years prior experience in direct patient care as an RN. Applicants must also meet nurse educator requirements as outlined by the NC Board of Nursing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Doctoral degree in nursing or a related field is preferred.
POSITION TYPE
Time-Limited Full-Time
NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK
40
NUMBER OF MONTHS PER YEAR
9
OPEN DATE
06/16/2026
CLOSE DATE
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
No
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include the following: letter of application, current CV, list of three professional references with complete contact information, and unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master’s degree level and higher.
For questions or additional information please contact Terri Durbin, Director of the School of Nursing, at tdurbin@email.wcu.edu.
- All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master’s degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master’s degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.
BACKGROUND/E-VERIFY
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
UNIVERSITY SAFETY
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Assistant Professor
Verify your institution's cap-exempt status
Most universities and affiliated research institutions qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, letting them file year-round without lottery exposure. Confirm this directly with your hiring department before accepting any offer, since not all affiliated entities automatically qualify.
Align your degree field to your teaching area
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your highest degree and the courses you'll teach. If your doctorate is in a related but distinct field, ask your department to document the connection explicitly in the specialty occupation letter supporting your I-129 petition.
Request the LCA filing date from HR early
Your start date can't precede the certified LCA and approved I-129. Ask your department's international office for the expected DOL certification date as soon as your offer is extended, so your contract start date reflects realistic processing timelines.
Search H-1B-sponsoring academic employers on Migrate Mate
Filter verified LCA filing history by institution type on Migrate Mate to identify universities actively sponsoring Assistant Professor roles in your field. This surfaces real filing patterns, not just job postings, so you're targeting employers with a track record.
Check prevailing wage level before negotiating salary
Your employer's offered salary must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your occupation and location. Run your position's SOC code through the OFLC Wage Search before negotiations so you know the minimum wage level your employer must certify on the LCA.
Understand the tenure-clock and H-1B renewal overlap
A typical tenure-track appointment spans six years, but initial H-1B approvals cover three. Work with your international office to file the extension well before your status expires, since a gap can affect both your work authorization and your tenure clock.
H-1B Visa Assistant Professor: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Assistant Professor positions typically qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Yes. Teaching and research faculty roles at accredited universities consistently meet USCIS's specialty occupation standard because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific academic discipline directly related to the position. The O*NET classifies postsecondary teachers in Job Zone 5, which supports the specialty occupation argument. Your department will document the degree requirement in the H-1B support letter.
Are universities exempt from the H-1B cap and lottery?
Most accredited nonprofit universities and their affiliated nonprofit or government research organizations qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers. This means they can file petitions at any time of year and aren't subject to the 85,000-slot annual cap or the lottery. However, for-profit entities affiliated with universities don't automatically inherit this status, so confirm cap-exempt eligibility with your institution's international office before signing your offer letter.
How do I find Assistant Professor jobs at employers who sponsor H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate lets you search Assistant Professor openings filtered by verified H-1B LCA filing history, so you can see which academic institutions have actively sponsored positions before applying. This is more reliable than filtering by job posting language alone, since most university postings don't explicitly state H-1B sponsorship policies.
What documents do I need to provide for my employer's H-1B petition?
Your employer files the H-1B petition, but you'll need to supply several documents: your passport, all academic transcripts and degree certificates, a credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., your CV detailing relevant experience, and any prior U.S. immigration records. If your doctorate is from a non-U.S. institution, a foreign credential evaluation confirming U.S. degree equivalency is required by USCIS.
Can I start work at my university before my H-1B is approved?
Not unless you hold another work-authorized status, such as OPT or a previously approved H-1B. Because most universities are cap-exempt, they can file petitions with a requested start date tied to your actual hire date rather than October 1. USCIS premium processing can reduce the adjudication window to 15 business days if your department needs a faster decision.