OPT Professor Jobs
Professor roles on OPT require employers to file an H-1B visa or offer a cap-exempt position, since most tenure-track and full-time faculty jobs qualify as specialty occupations. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your field qualifies) shapes which positions and timelines are realistic.
Find OPT Professor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 4,540+ Professor jobs
See all 4,540+ Professor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Professor roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This position is located on WCU’s main campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
The School of Stage & Screen at Western Carolina University invites applications for one semester, fixed-term Visiting Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre. We seek an energetic, collaborative, and student-centered artist-educator with expertise in music direction and musicianship who is excited to contribute to the continued growth and national visibility of our BFA Musical Theatre program. The anticipated start date is January 2027.
The successful candidate will join an engaged community of working artists and educators committed to preparing versatile, thoughtful, and resilient musical theatre professionals. We welcome candidates who bring an active professional practice, a passion for undergraduate teaching, and an interest in helping shape the evolving future of musical theatre training.
The expected workload for this position is 60% teaching and production activity, 20% service, and 20% creative scholarship, research, or publication. The standard teaching assignment is nine credit hours per semester, with course releases provided for assigned production responsibilities such as music direction. Specific teaching and production assignments will be determined by program needs and the successful candidate’s areas of expertise.
The BFA Musical Theatre program is guided by four core values: Authentic Curiosity, Daring Experimentation, Joyful Contribution, and Radical Critical Thought. Through our shared commitment to these values, we cultivate a compassionate and inclusive artistic community that honors its members, encourages meaningful risk-taking, and holds space for growth, inspiration, belonging, and excellence.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
- Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate musical theatre courses, which may include musicianship, song study, acting the song, audition preparation, vocal coaching, and musical theatre ensembles.
- Ability to sight read and accompany musical theatre performers in class, auditions and performance on piano.
- Broad knowledge of musical theatre repertoire, styles, and performance practices, including contemporary commercial music.
- Demonstrated skill in music directing theatrical productions and preparing students for professional rehearsal and performance expectations.
- Ability to develop students’ musicianship, sight-reading, score preparation, musical interpretation, and stylistic versatility across a range of prior training and experience.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with directors, choreographers, designers, accompanists, production personnel, faculty, guest artists, and student artists.
- Ability to advise and mentor students in their academic, artistic, and professional development.
- Ability to contribute collaboratively to curriculum development, assessment, recruitment, retention, shared governance, and the broader work of the School of Stage & Screen.
- Commitment to supporting students from a broad range of backgrounds, identities, experiences, and levels of prior access to musical training.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must possess one of the following:
- A terminal degree in Musical Theatre, Music Direction, Music, Theatre, Vocal Performance, Music Education, or a closely related field, completed by the anticipated start date;
OR
- A Master’s degree in an appropriate field combined with significant professional experience in musical theatre and/or substantial teaching experience at the university or professional level;
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional experience as a music director, conductor, vocal coach, vocal director, arranger, and/or composer.
- Experience teaching or coaching healthy, sustainable vocal production across varied musical theatre styles.
- A record of excellence in undergraduate teaching and the successful engagement of students in creative or professional activities.
- Experience with curriculum development, program assessment, or academic program growth.
POSITION TYPE
Permanent Full-Time
NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK
40
NUMBER OF MONTHS PER YEAR
9
POSTING TEXT
Open Date 09/22/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
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:
- A letter of application addressing their qualifications for the position, teaching philosophy, professional or creative practice, and interest in joining WCU’s Musical Theatre community
- A curriculum vitae or professional résumé
- Unofficial transcripts from the institution awarding the applicant’s highest degree
- A statement describing the applicant’s approach to supporting students with varied backgrounds, identities, experiences, and levels of prior musical training
- A list of three professional references, including full contact information
- Links to conducting, accompaniment, coaching, teaching, or production-work samples
For questions or additional information please contact Tory Depew at vdepew@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
This position is located on WCU’s main campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
The School of Stage & Screen at Western Carolina University invites applications for one semester, fixed-term Visiting Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre. We seek an energetic, collaborative, and student-centered artist-educator with expertise in music direction and musicianship who is excited to contribute to the continued growth and national visibility of our BFA Musical Theatre program. The anticipated start date is January 2027.
The successful candidate will join an engaged community of working artists and educators committed to preparing versatile, thoughtful, and resilient musical theatre professionals. We welcome candidates who bring an active professional practice, a passion for undergraduate teaching, and an interest in helping shape the evolving future of musical theatre training.
The expected workload for this position is 60% teaching and production activity, 20% service, and 20% creative scholarship, research, or publication. The standard teaching assignment is nine credit hours per semester, with course releases provided for assigned production responsibilities such as music direction. Specific teaching and production assignments will be determined by program needs and the successful candidate’s areas of expertise.
The BFA Musical Theatre program is guided by four core values: Authentic Curiosity, Daring Experimentation, Joyful Contribution, and Radical Critical Thought. Through our shared commitment to these values, we cultivate a compassionate and inclusive artistic community that honors its members, encourages meaningful risk-taking, and holds space for growth, inspiration, belonging, and excellence.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
- Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate musical theatre courses, which may include musicianship, song study, acting the song, audition preparation, vocal coaching, and musical theatre ensembles.
- Ability to sight read and accompany musical theatre performers in class, auditions and performance on piano.
- Broad knowledge of musical theatre repertoire, styles, and performance practices, including contemporary commercial music.
- Demonstrated skill in music directing theatrical productions and preparing students for professional rehearsal and performance expectations.
- Ability to develop students’ musicianship, sight-reading, score preparation, musical interpretation, and stylistic versatility across a range of prior training and experience.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with directors, choreographers, designers, accompanists, production personnel, faculty, guest artists, and student artists.
- Ability to advise and mentor students in their academic, artistic, and professional development.
- Ability to contribute collaboratively to curriculum development, assessment, recruitment, retention, shared governance, and the broader work of the School of Stage & Screen.
- Commitment to supporting students from a broad range of backgrounds, identities, experiences, and levels of prior access to musical training.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must possess one of the following:
- A terminal degree in Musical Theatre, Music Direction, Music, Theatre, Vocal Performance, Music Education, or a closely related field, completed by the anticipated start date;
OR
- A Master’s degree in an appropriate field combined with significant professional experience in musical theatre and/or substantial teaching experience at the university or professional level;
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional experience as a music director, conductor, vocal coach, vocal director, arranger, and/or composer.
- Experience teaching or coaching healthy, sustainable vocal production across varied musical theatre styles.
- A record of excellence in undergraduate teaching and the successful engagement of students in creative or professional activities.
- Experience with curriculum development, program assessment, or academic program growth.
POSITION TYPE
Permanent Full-Time
NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK
40
NUMBER OF MONTHS PER YEAR
9
POSTING TEXT
Open Date 09/22/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
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:
- A letter of application addressing their qualifications for the position, teaching philosophy, professional or creative practice, and interest in joining WCU’s Musical Theatre community
- A curriculum vitae or professional résumé
- Unofficial transcripts from the institution awarding the applicant’s highest degree
- A statement describing the applicant’s approach to supporting students with varied backgrounds, identities, experiences, and levels of prior musical training
- A list of three professional references, including full contact information
- Links to conducting, accompaniment, coaching, teaching, or production-work samples
For questions or additional information please contact Tory Depew at vdepew@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.
See all 4,540+ OPT Professor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Professor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Professor
Target cap-exempt institutions first
Universities and nonprofit research institutions are cap-exempt H-1B visa employers, meaning they can sponsor you outside the lottery. This significantly improves your chances of securing long-term status after OPT without waiting for a favorable lottery result.
Apply during your first OPT year
Most faculty hiring cycles run from September through February for positions starting the following fall. Beginning your search in your first OPT year gives you time to line up a sponsoring offer before your authorization expires or requires extension.
Confirm your STEM extension eligibility early
STEM OPT adds 24 months if your degree is in a qualifying field. Many STEM-adjacent academic disciplines qualify, including biology, chemistry, computer science, and economics. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before assuming you're eligible.
Understand the specialty occupation standard
Professor roles almost universally qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a master's or doctoral degree in a specific field. Your degree field must directly align with the subject you'll be teaching or researching for sponsorship to hold.
Ask about the hiring timeline before applying
Faculty search committees move slowly, often six to twelve months from application to offer. Knowing your OPT expiration date helps you assess whether the timeline is realistic and whether you need to negotiate a deferred start or rely on cap-gap protection.
Highlight research funding and grants in applications
Departments hiring on OPT weigh sponsorship costs against value. Candidates who arrive with external funding, active grants, or strong publication records reduce the perceived financial risk and make it easier for hiring committees to approve sponsorship internally.
Professor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Professor on OPT?
Yes. Professor roles qualify as specialty occupations and are eligible for OPT work authorization. Your position must directly relate to your degree field. Adjunct, visiting, and tenure-track appointments all count, provided the role requires the level of education your degree represents and your employer is willing to sponsor you for continued status afterward.
Do universities sponsor H-1B visas for Professors?
Most do, and universities have a structural advantage: they are cap-exempt H-1B employers. That means they can file an H-1B petition at any time of year without entering the lottery. This makes academic employers significantly more accessible for OPT students than private-sector companies subject to the annual 85,000-cap selection process.
How do I find Professor jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for finding Professor roles with employers who sponsor OPT students. Academic job boards list postings broadly, but Migrate Mate filters specifically for sponsorship-willing employers, saving you the time of researching each institution's immigration history individually. Focus your search on research universities and federally funded research centers.
Does my degree field need to match the subject I'd be teaching?
Yes, and this matters for both OPT authorization and future H-1B sponsorship. USCIS requires that the role constitute a specialty occupation, meaning there must be a direct relationship between your degree field and the position. A PhD in economics teaching finance courses will generally satisfy this. A degree in literature supporting a computer science appointment typically will not.
What happens if my OPT expires before the faculty hiring process is complete?
Faculty searches routinely take longer than a single academic year. If your OPT expires mid-process, your options include applying for a STEM extension if eligible, entering cap-gap protection if your employer filed an H-1B before your OPT expired, or negotiating a deferred start date. Work closely with your DSO to understand which bridge applies to your situation.