Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice

Florida Gulf Coast University • Lexington, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

As Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, the successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, as applicable; contribute to course and curriculum development; conduct research and scholarship; mentor students; participate in Department, Program, College, and University service; and perform other duties as assigned. The successful candidate will contribute to the teaching needs of the Criminal Justice program and the Forensic Studies programs, with the ability to teach a range of undergraduate Criminal Justice courses, including research methods, statistics, and preferably courses addressing criminal law, the legal system, or related areas. The candidate will contribute to instruction in both face-to-face and online/hybrid learning environments and support student learning through effective use of instructional technology. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to scholarly research, student mentorship, and the integration of academic knowledge with contemporary criminal justice practice. Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to: be excellent teachers, responsive to changing professional needs; be committed to innovative delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning; be committed to effective use of technology including distance learning; produce peer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College, University and Community. Teaching assignments may be on the main campus or at off-campus sites within our region. FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment and collaboration. We value employees who successfully work with others and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive action. If you thrive in an environment of innovation, accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good home here.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensic Studies, Psychology with a Criminology focus, Law/Policy/Society, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation.
• Experience in either Statistics and Research methods or Criminal Law and Policy.
• ABD will be considered if degree is conferred by August 7, 2027. If successful candidate is ABD, appointment will be made at a Lecturer level on a fixed contract.

Nice To Haves

• Professional or practitioner experience within the criminal justice or legal system.
• Experience seeking, developing, or managing external research or programmatic grants.
• Demonstrated proficiency with R for statistical analysis, data management, or research is preferred; experience with other statistical or research software, such as SPSS, Stata, SAS, Python, or comparable platforms, is also desirable.
• Experience with interdisciplinary teaching, research, or programming involving Criminal Justice and related fields such as Forensic Studies, Legal Studies, Psychology, or other relevant disciplines is preferred.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students in research, applied projects, internships, capstone projects, or other experiential learning activities is also preferred.
• Demonstrated experience teaching undergraduate Criminal Justice and Forensic Studies courses across a range of substantive areas.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly research and peer-reviewed publication in criminal justice, forensic studies, or a related field.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in quantitative research projects, capstones, theses, or data‑driven internships.

Responsibilities

• Plans, prepares, and teaches assigned courses, including developing syllabi, instructional materials, and assessments.
• Delivers consistent, interactive, and engaging lectures aligned with curriculum goals and accreditation standards.
• Maintains the highest standards of classroom instruction and engages in reflective self-assessment to ensure continuous improvement.
• Holds regular office hours and provides academic advising and individual support to students.
• Utilizes the University's learning management system and other instructional technologies effectively.
• Collaborates with departmental faculty on curriculum development and program advancement.
• Ensures curriculum outcomes and accreditation standards are met.
• Establishes and maintains an active research program, including opportunities for undergraduate student involvement.
• Demonstrates evidence of scholarly publication and grantsmanship.
• Engages in continued professional development and maintains professional skills appropriate to rank and field.
• Actively participates in departmental, college, and university committees and meetings.
• Contributes to community, institutional, and professional service in support of the University’s mission.
• Participates in faculty evaluation, student learning assessment, and required training activities.
• Communicates professionally and in a timely manner with students, colleagues, staff, and administrators.
• Upholds the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and excellence in all professional activities.
• Complies with University policies, procedures, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree