Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice.

Position Details

Location Hattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001

United States

Division School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security

Position Type Faculty

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded No

Pay Grade

Generic Grade

Posting Close Date Aug 1 2025

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must complete an online application at https://jobs.usm.edu. Along with the application, applicants should include: (1) a cover letter detailing potential for high-quality teaching and scholarship; (2) a curriculum vita; (3) a detailed research agenda; (4) a list of three professional references along with contact information for each; and (5) unofficial transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions. Review of materials will begin on November 7th, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Official transcripts will be required prior to a campus interview. Anticipated start date for this position is August 2025.

All questions concerning this position should be directed to:

Dr. Laura Gulledge or Dr. Ragan Downey, Search Committee Co-Chairs,

School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security

The University of Southern Mississippi

118 College Drive #5127

Hattiesburg, MS 39406

laura.gulledge@usm.edu or ragan.downey@usm.edu

Job Summary

The University of Southern Mississippi invites applicants for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor within the School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. The ideal candidate for this position would be well qualified to teach a wide variety of criminal justice courses, including criminal courts and law-based criminal justice courses such as criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and child abuse and law.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Teach, advise and mentor both undergraduate and graduate students.

Prepare and submit syllabi, grades and other required course documentation and assessment materials in a timely manner.

Scholarly and service activities commensurate with university, college, and school expectations, to include publication, pursuit of external funding, presentations at conferences and working within the University committee structure.

Hold regular office hours.

Attendance at school, college and university meetings and recruitment events.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Earned doctorate in Criminal Justice or Criminology (or a closely related field) from an accredited university. ABDs will be considered, but it is expected that the Ph.D. will be earned by the date of appointment. A J.D. degree alone (without a Ph.D. in addition to the J.D.) is not sufficient to meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Potential to develop a research agenda in the discipline of Criminal Justice, as evidenced by submission of peer-reviewed publications, professional presentations, and/or grant submissions.

Potential for undergraduate and graduate instruction in the discipline of Criminal Justice in both seated and online modalities.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Ability to teach effectively (both online and in traditional settings) at the university level

Ability to effectively advise and mentor students.

Strong written and oral communications skills.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds, programs, and colleges.

Preferred Qualifications

Expertise and ability to teach a wide variety of criminal justice courses, including criminal courts and law-based criminal justice courses such as criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and child abuse and law.

Demonstrated expertise in the area of courts and legal issues in criminal justice, as evidenced by any of the following: experience teaching criminal courts and/or law-based criminal justice courses; peer-reviewed publications focused on courts and/or legal issues in criminal justice; and/or an earned J.D. degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school (in addition to the required earned doctorate in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or a closely related field from an accredited university).

Demonstrated scholarship in the discipline of Criminal Justice, as evidenced by a record of peer-reviewed publications and external grants.

Record of undergraduate and/or graduate instruction in the discipline of Criminal Justice in both seated and online modalities.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nations leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.