Assistant Professor - Department of Criminology and Justice Studies #26-03

The California State University; Kentucky; On-site; USD 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in California is seeking an Assistant Professor in Criminology with a primary specialization in mental health, substance use, or disability in the criminal legal system. The successful candidate will teach and mentor students, engage in research, and participate in community engagement. A Ph.D. in a relevant field is required, along with a dedication to inclusivity and excellence in mentoring first-generation students. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and is committed to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Excellence in teaching Criminology and Justice Studies courses using student-centered pedagogy.
• Skills in mentoring students, especially first-generation and underrepresented students.
• Potential for successful scholarly publication.

Responsibilities

• Teach core courses and specialized subjects in Criminology and Justice Studies.
• Engage in high-impact mentoring practices.
• Conduct research and produce peer-reviewed publications.
• Participate in service responsibilities at departmental and university levels.

Skills

Teaching

Mentorship

Research

Inclusivity

Education

Ph.D. in relevant field

Job description

Assistant Professor - Department of Criminology and Justice Studies #26-03

Apply now Job no: 551910
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Northridge
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Behavioral Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time

Department: Criminology and Justice Studies

Faculty Hire Number: #26-03

Effective Date of Appointment: August 19, 2026(Subject to Budgetary Approval)

Salary Scale: $80,000(Dependent upon qualifications)

CSUN’s Commitment to You:

CSUN is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning, and inclusion. Our values include a respect for all people, building partnerships with the community, and the encouragement of innovation, experimentation, and creativity. CSUN strives to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. CSUN is especially interested in candidates who make contributions to equity and inclusion in the pursuit of excellence for all members of the university community.

As a Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI), inclusiveness and diversity are integral to CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. As of Fall 2024, CSUN enrolls nearly 37,000 students, where 56.3% are Latinx, 18.9% are White, 8.7% are Asian American, 5.3% are Black/African American, 0.1% are Native American, and 0.1% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences' motto is "Locally Engaged, Globally Prepared." This is reflected in all we do, ranging from faculty to students. We are the home of educators who are committed to decreasing the distance between communities and the campus. Our faculty connect to communities through applied research, internships, and clinics, and as a result of engagement with faculty-led initiatives, students are prepared to contribute to solving global problems and competing in the global market. We are equipping students with the tools for achievement to successfully address social problems. Scholars in the College are preparing the next generation of educators, researchers, and leaders

The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies was established in Fall 2017. The Criminology and Justice Studies undergraduate program promotes the theoretical, analytical, and practical understanding of crime, victimization, and the criminal justice system from a social scientific perspective. The program provides a foundation for the study of criminology and the legal system based on critical thinking and application, theory, and research methodology, understanding diversity and global perspectives, writing, and fundamentals of law and ethical practice. The department also emphasizes the intersections between the academic and professional, which provide students with a meaningful learning environment rooted in pursuing social justice. Partnerships between the department and both the University community and the community-at-large provide the fertile ground for these intersections.

The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is seeking a tenure-track faculty member in Criminology and Justice Studies at the rank of Assistant Professor with a primary specialization in mental health, substance use, or disability in the criminal legal system and a sub-specialization in forensic psychology, disability studies, and/or social inequality.

Responsibilities:

• Teaching assignments: The standard teaching assignment is 9 units (3 courses) per semester for the first two years, and then 12 units (4 courses) per semester thereafter. However, there may be opportunities for course reductions through external or internal research grants and/or university/college/departmental service assignments. CSBS also generally permits teaching one fully online (asynchronous) course per semester. Other course styles, such as hybrid teaching (e.g., online and in-person combination), are also common.
• Teaching responsibilities for the successful candidate will include core courses in the Criminology and Justice Studies undergraduate program, along with courses in mental health, substance use, or disability in the criminal legal system that emphasize perspectives from forensic psychology, disability studies, and/or social inequality. Candidates who intend to teach law courses should also hold a JD to be eligible to teach those courses.
• Mentorship and collaboration: The successful candidate will be expected to participate in high-impact mentoring practices that promote the academic success of university students, particularly first-generation and underrepresented students, including advising them toward accomplishing their short- and long-term professional objectives. The department, college, and university provide opportunities for mentorship support.
• Research expectations: The successful candidate will be expected to produce peer-reviewed scholarly publications, participate in professional conferences regularly, and remain current in their research field through professional development. In addition, student involvement in research is highly encouraged.
• Service responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to department, college, and university committees, advise students, and connect to community-based agencies in crime and justice. CSBS further emphasizes community engagement that prepares our students for careers that impact both the local community and global society.

In addition to teaching, the position requires weekly office hours, attending faculty meetings, participation in assessment of student learning, and service to the department, college, and university. The successful candidate may be required to teach on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and/or online and will be held to the standards and requirements of the college and department in which they are housed for recommending tenure and promotion. Given CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement in a diverse environment, the successful candidate will help the Department achieve equitable academic outcomes for all students through teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work/Social Welfare, or a closely related area, with a primary specialization in mental health, substance use, or disability in the criminal legal system and a sub-specialization in forensic psychology, disability studies, and/or social inequality. Evidence of degree(s) required by the appointment start date. The J.D. alone is not sufficient for this position.
• Evidence of, or clear potential for, excellence in teaching Criminology and Justice Studies courses using student-centered pedagogy
• Evidence of, or clear potential for, inclusive approaches to mentoring students, including first-generation students and those from historically underserved backgrounds
• Evidence of, or clear potential for, successful scholarly publication.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of, or clear potential for, engaging students in research, including first-generation students and those from historically underserved backgrounds
• Evidence of, or clear potential for, developing interdisciplinary links with programs and/or departments across the University
• Evidence of, or clear potential for, effective engagement with students through inclusive approaches that support success beyond the classroom, such as career readiness
• Evidence of, or clear potential for, building partnerships that expand opportunities for students through community engagement, applied research, or experiential learning

Application Deadline:

Priority application deadline is October 24, 2025, and applications received after this date may be considered on an as-needed basis. However, the position will remain open until filled.

How to Apply:

Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN online application. To apply and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers

Applicants must submit the following to the website in the section above:

• a letter of application (cover letter), not to exceed 2 single-spaced pages, including a section about past and future scholarly work and a brief description of inclusive approaches across teaching, scholarship, and service.
• a curriculum vitae (CV) that includes contact information for three professional references
• a teaching and mentorship statement, not to exceed 2 single-spaced pages, describing inclusive approaches to teaching and mentorship, prior experiences, and plans to engage students, including first-generation students and those from historically underserved backgrounds
• evidence of, or clear potential for, excellence in teaching, such as sample syllabi, sample assignments, peer evaluations, and/or student evaluations

In later stages of the search process, applicants may be requested to provide additional materials, including teaching evaluations, examples of scholarly publications, letters of recommendation from their professional references, and verification of terminal degrees, licenses, and certificates.

At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work in the United States.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy . Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting [e-mail] at 818-677-2117.

Advertised: Sep 29 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: