Description
The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Criminal Justice program, invites applications for a full-time 9-month term (teaching) faculty position. This position is non-tenure eligible faculty at the rank of instructor or assistant professor, beginning August 16, 2026. Candidates with significant career and professional work experience within the criminal justice system will be highly considered.
We are specifically seeking an instructor who demonstrates a profound commitment to high-quality teaching and adds to the strength and diversity of our faculty. Successful candidates will have expertise in criminal justice and criminology, and have the ability to teach a variety of core undergraduate and graduate courses, including courts/sentencing and corrections courses. We are interested in faculty who will demonstrate through teaching, creative expression, and/or public engagement, the richness of diversity in the learning experience through integrated intersectional approaches and perspectives. The selected candidate will complement and expand our existing expertise in the field of criminal justice and join a dedicated group of colleagues with a strong commitment to service and community engagement.
For additional information, please visit https://wilder.vcu.edu/programs/criminal-justice/.
Position Responsibilities:
1. Teaching
This faculty will teach within the core requirements of the graduate and undergraduate programs in Criminal Justice and may contribute to the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration. The faculty will be expected to carry a teaching load equivalent to eight 3-credit courses per year (4/4), involving both in-class, hybrid and online delivery, with the possibility of summer teaching. Strong candidates will demonstrate innovation and leadership in developing instructional approaches which meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.
2. Service
Faculty member may serve on program, School, and/or University committees as necessary, as well as in a professional capacity in their field.
Required Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in the field of criminal justice, criminology, or a related field, plus 5 or more years of professional criminal justice experience.
Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications:
A career as a senior practitioner or a Ph.D. in criminal justice, criminology, or a related field (candidates with ABDs will be considered subject to demonstration of timely progress towards completion of all requirements for their Ph.D. before the start of the appointment).
Experience teaching criminal justice courses at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Application Process/Additional Information:
Applications must include a cover-letter, a detailed CV with the names and contact information of three references and evidence of teaching effectiveness. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning November 10, 2025.
Contact: Dr. Amy Cook, Search Chair
Email: cookak@vcu.edu
To apply for this position (Requisition # 45000704), please click here.
As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.
