Master of Public Policy & Administration Program Dir./Tenure-Track Professor of Political Science

York College of Pennsylvania; York (York County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

York College of Pennsylvania invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in political science to serve as the Director for the MPPA graduate program beginning Summer 2027. The successful candidate will shape the future of this master’s program and engage with local policy communities in Central Pennsylvania.

Located near Harrisburg, the role combines graduate leadership with teaching in political science, public policy, and government.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Political Science or a closely related field by the start of the appointment.
• Minimum of 1 year of administrative experience, preferably directing one or more programs.
• Ability to offer upper-level courses in Public Policy and/or State and Local Government.
• Ability to offer introductory-level courses, such as American Government and/or Introduction to Political Science.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience teaching in higher education.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience teaching at the masters level.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience teaching in a variety of modalities (in-person, hybrid, online).

Responsibilities

• Teach five 3-credit courses, at least three at the graduate level, across fall, spring, and summer (2/2/1 teaching load).
• Maintain an active scholarly agenda consistent with college and disciplinary standards.
• Lead graduate recruitment initiatives by nurturing and expanding community partnerships.
• Admit, orient, and advise students in the MPPA Program.
• Manage graduate class scheduling and coordination of instructors.
• Participate in graduate initiatives led by the Director of Graduate and Professional Programs.
• Engage in additional service to the college, as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication

Education

Ph.D. in Political Science or closely related field

Job description

The Office of Graduate and Professional Programs and the Department of History and Political Science at York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in political science who will serve as the Director for the Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) graduate program beginning in Summer 2027.

The MPPA graduate program is established with approximately 25 graduate students enrolled. The successful candidate will help shape the future of civic engagement and graduate education at York College of Pennsylvania as the leader who will guide our MPPA graduate program for years to come. The candidate will embark on an exciting opportunity to establish a vision for the future of this masters program and promote it to the Central Pennsylvania policy and governance community and beyond. They will also be able to immediately connect with our local community through previously established partnerships and have opportunities to further extend these community connections and engagement as they work to build new partnerships and respond to community needs. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to shape the knowledge, skills, and mindsets that will equip our dedicated working professional masters and doctoral students in the next phase of their professional careers. As the MPPA Graduate Director, the successful candidate will work closely with the Director of Graduate and Professional Programs to support students from the very beginning of their graduate career through the review of applications, orientation of new students, advising throughout their program, and participating in graduation events. This position offers the unique opportunity to lead a graduate program and connect with graduate students from ‘app to cap’!

The successful candidate will contribute their expertise in public policy and American government to our vibrant undergraduate program in political science. In keeping with YCP’s signature focus on hands‑on learning, there are opportunities to collaborate with the Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy to connect classroom theory with actionable community solutions through nonpartisan research, public events, and civic partnerships for both graduate and undergraduate students.

YCP is located near the state capital in Harrisburg and within reach of Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., giving faculty and students ready access to government at the local, state, and federal levels.

• Teach five 3-credit courses, at least three at the graduate level, across fall, spring, and summer (2/2/1 teaching load)
• Maintain an active scholarly agenda consistent with college and disciplinary standards
• Lead graduate recruitment initiatives by nurturing and expanding community partnerships
• Admit, orient, and advise students in the MPPA Program
• Manage graduate class scheduling and coordination of instructors
• Participate in graduate initiatives led by the Director of Graduate and Professional Programs
• Engage in additional service to the college, as needed

• Ph.D. in Political Science or a closely related field by the start of the appointment
• Minimum of 1 year of administrative experience, preferably directing one or more programs
• Ability to offer upper-level courses in Public Policy and/or State and Local Government.
• Ability to offer introductory-level courses, such as American Government and/or Introduction to Political Science
• Minimum 2 years of experience teaching in higher education
• Minimum of 1 year of experience teaching at the masters level
• Minimum of 1 year of experience teaching in a variety of modalities (in-person, hybrid, online)

The candidate must demonstrate excellent communication skills and have a strong commitment to working as part of a collaborative team.

Qualifications include the ability to communicate with students and the public, apply supervisory skills, motivate students, be personable and professional, have patience with and understanding of students, and be able to learn and apply new concepts and ideas. Additionally, the candidate must have the ability to offer upper-level courses in Public Policy and/or State and Local Government and introductory-level courses, such as American Government and/or Introduction to Political Science.