Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

Department Information

Department:
The Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies in the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi invites applications for two full-time, nine-month, tenure-track faculty positions in Criminal Justice at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor beginning August 2027. Department:
The Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies is a vibrant and growing academic unit committed to excellence in research, teaching, mentorship, and public engagement. The department serves approximately 1,000 undergraduate students and offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Law Studies, a traditional Master of Criminal Justice program, an accelerated online Master of Criminal Justice program, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies.

With a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs, the department provides faculty with opportunities to teach, mentor, and collaborate with students at all stages of academic and professional development. Faculty members engage in a wide range of research addressing contemporary issues in criminal justice, criminology, law, public policy, victimization, corrections, policing, courts, and related fields. The department values methodological diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and scholarship that advances knowledge while contributing to practice and policy.

Faculty maintain active research agendas and regularly publish in leading journals, secure external funding, and contribute to professional organizations and public discourse. The department is home to a collegial and collaborative faculty community that supports innovation in both research and teaching. As one of the largest criminal justice and legal studies programs in the region, the department continues to expand its academic programs, research profile, and external partnerships.

New faculty members will have opportunities to contribute to a dynamic and forward-looking academic environment with strong commitments to student success, scholarly excellence, and public impact. The University of Mississippi is a Carnegie-designated R1 institution and Mississippi's flagship university, providing faculty with extensive opportunities for research, interdisciplinary engagement, graduate education, and community partnership. The department fosters a collaborative, collegial, and student-centered environment that supports faculty success in teaching, scholarship, service, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies invites applications for two faculty positions in criminal justice and legal studies at our main campus in Oxford, Mississippi. This is a tenure-track position beginning Fall 2027 and is open for the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Areas of specialization are open.

The successful candidates will be expected to maintain an active research agenda, publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students, and provide service to the department, the university, the profession, and the community. Faculty members will contribute to the department's undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs through teaching, advising, graduate committee service, and other activities that support student success and the continued development of the department.

Areas of specialization are open. Applicants should demonstrate potential to contribute to the instructional and research needs of the department.

The successful candidates will be expected to maintain an active research agenda, publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students, and provide service to the department, the university, the profession, and the community. Faculty members will contribute to the department's undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs through teaching, advising, graduate committee service, and other activities that support student success and the continued development of the department.

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement
• Teaching statement
• Unofficial graduate transcripts
• Contact information for three professional references

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in criminology, criminal justice, law studies, or a related discipline (ABDs may apply, but the degree must be in hand by the start of employment). Successful candidates will have a record of peer-reviewed publications in peer-reviewed scholarly journals appropriate to career stage, the potential (Assistant Professor) or established record (Associate Professor) to secure and maintain extramural funding, a demonstrated ability to effectively teach undergraduate and graduate students, and a demonstrated commitment to academic, professional, and institutional service.

Expectations are commensurate with Research 1 institutions.…