Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice

Florida Gulf Coast University; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Gulf Coast University invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, develop curricula, and conduct research with opportunities for student involvement.

The role includes service to the department, college, and university in both face-to-face and online environments. Responsibilities include delivering engaging lectures, maintaining an active research program, mentoring students, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Criminal Justice or closely related field from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
• ABD will be considered if degree conferred by August 7, 2027; appointment at Lecturer level if ABD.
• Experience in statistics and research methods or criminal law and policy.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including methods and statistics.
• Contribute to curriculum development and program advancement.
• Establish and maintain an active research agenda with undergraduate involvement.
• Provide mentorship and academic advising to students.
• Engage in service to department, college, and university.

Skills

Statistics & methods

Curriculum development

Student mentorship

Course design & delivery

Scholarly communication

Education

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice or related field

ABD considered if degree conferred by Aug 7, 2027

Tools

R

SPSS

Stata

SAS

Python

Job description

Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice

Florida Gulf Coast University

Job Summary

As Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, the successfulcandidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, asapplicable; contribute to course and curriculum development;conduct research and scholarship; mentor students; participate inDepartment, Program, College, and University service; and performother duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will contribute to the teaching needs ofthe Criminal Justice program and the Forensic Studies programs,with the ability to teach a range of undergraduate Criminal Justicecourses, including research methods, statistics, and preferablycourses addressing criminal law, the legal system, or relatedareas. The candidate will contribute to instruction in bothface-to-face and online/hybrid learning environments and supportstudent learning through effective use of instructionaltechnology.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to scholarlyresearch, student mentorship, and the integration of academicknowledge with contemporary criminal justice practice.

Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive universitydedicated to quality education, research, and service. All facultyare expected to: be excellent teachers, responsive to changingprofessional needs; be committed to innovative delivery ofinstruction resulting in improved student learning; be committed toeffective use of technology including distance learning; producepeer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College,University and Community. Teaching assignments may be on the maincampus or at off-campus sites within our region.

FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment andcollaboration. We value employees who successfully work with othersand drive positive change through critical thinking and decisiveaction. If you thrive in an environment of innovation,accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good homehere.

Job Description

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Plans, prepares, and teaches assigned courses, includingdeveloping syllabi, instructional materials, and assessments.
• Delivers consistent, interactive, and engaging lectures alignedwith curriculum goals and accreditation standards.
• Maintains the highest standards of classroom instruction andengages in reflective self-assessment to ensure continuousimprovement.
• Holds regular office hours and provides academic advising andindividual support to students.
• Utilizes the University's learning management system and otherinstructional technologies effectively.
• Collaborates with departmental faculty on curriculumdevelopment and program advancement.
• Ensures curriculum outcomes and accreditation standards aremet.
• Establishes and maintains an active research program, includingopportunities for undergraduate student involvement.
• Demonstrates evidence of scholarly publication andgrantsmanship.
• Engages in continued professional development and maintainsprofessional skills appropriate to rank and field.
• Actively participates in departmental, college, and universitycommittees and meetings.
• Contributes to community, institutional, and professionalservice in support of the University's mission.
• Participates in faculty evaluation, student learningassessment, and required training activities.
• Communicates professionally and in a timely manner withstudents, colleagues, staff, and administrators.
• Upholds the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, andexcellence in all professional activities.
• Complies with University policies, procedures, and theCollective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensic Studies,Psychology with a Criminology focus, Law/Policy/Society, or aclosely related field from a regionally accredited institution orequivalent accreditation.
• Experience in either Statistics and Research methods orCriminal 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 aLecturer level on a fixed contract.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional or practitioner experience within the criminaljustice or legal system.
• Experience seeking, developing, or managing external researchor programmatic grants.
• Demonstrated proficiency with R for statistical analysis, datamanagement, or research is preferred; experience with otherstatistical or research software, such as SPSS, Stata, SAS, Python,or comparable platforms, is also desirable.
• Experience with interdisciplinary teaching, research, orprogramming involving Criminal Justice and related fields such asForensic Studies, Legal Studies, Psychology, or other relevantdisciplines is preferred.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students inresearch, applied projects, internships, capstone projects, orother experiential learning activities is also preferred.
• Demonstrated experience teaching undergraduate Criminal Justiceand Forensic Studies courses across a range of substantiveareas.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly research and peer-reviewedpublication in criminal justice, forensic studies, or a relatedfield.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students inquantitative research projects, capstones, theses, or data‑driveninternships.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of contemporary Criminal Justice theories, research,practices, and issues, including major concepts, assumptions,debates, processes of inquiry, and ways of knowing that are centralto the discipline(s).
• Knowledge of research methodologies and statistical conceptsrelevant to Criminal Justice and related fields.
• Knowledge of critical thinking processes and inquiry-basedinstructional models and strategies.
• Knowledge of digital and interactive technologies and theirapplication to specific learning goals across face-to-face,synchronous online, asynchronous online, and hybrid teachingmodalities.
• Skill in integrating academic research with applied CriminalJustice practice and connecting research, theory, and practicewithin the classroom.
• Ability to teach effectively across a range of Criminal Justiceand Justice Studies Department courses, including criminal justicepolicy, legal-based courses, and research methods and statistics atthe undergraduate level, and to apply quantitative and/orqualitative research methodologies within Criminal Justice andForensic Studies.
• Ability to develop engaging, student-centered instruction;communicate research and statistical concepts effectively tostudents; and help learners develop critical thinking andhigh-level questioning skills.
• Ability to mentor students in research, applied projects, andother experiential learning activities across the Criminal Justiceand Forensic Studies programs.
• Ability to teach criminal justice legal-based classes forForensic Studies, Legal Studies, and Criminal Justice programs andcontribute Criminal Justice perspectives to mock trials, mootcourt, courtroom simulations, and interdisciplinary programmingwith Legal Studies.
• Ability to use digital and interactive technologies effectivelyto achieve specific learning goals across various teachingmodalities.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders both within andoutside the University in the development and delivery ofinstruction, resulting in improved student learning.
• Proven ability to think strategically and approach challengeswith creativity.
• Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, andholding oneself accountable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectivelyacross teams.

Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectations:

In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open tofeedback and new ideas.
• Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work;persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achievedeliverables.
• Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnershipsacross departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues toachieve common goals.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Appointment will be made on a 9-month multi-year appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2027.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review andretention under Florida's Public Records Law, please DO NOT sendexamples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so.Therefore, all submitted materials, including articles, disks,slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BERETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need tosubmit specific additional materials. Such materials will becomethe property of FGCU. Under Florida's Public Records law,applications will be available for public review uponrequest.

Required Application Materials:

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Statement of Research
• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Five (5) Professional References

The position is listed as "open until filled", howeverapplications received by November 30, 2026 will receive priorityconsideration.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an EqualOpportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicantswill receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, orprotected veteran status.