"Assistant Professor - Criminal Justice - 000829"

Assistant Professor - Criminal Justice - 000829

Western Carolina University

Department: Criminology & Criminal Justice

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including: 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list. Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice awards undergraduate degrees in criminal justice to residential and distance students, and maintains an online emergency management B.S. degree program. The department, housing one of the University's largest majors, is a progressive, theoretically oriented program. Western Carolina University is one of the 16 state supported institutions in North Carolina and is located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.

The Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice is seeking applications for one tenure-track member at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning August 1, 2025. This is a nine-month position with summer teaching possibilities. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Responsibilities include teaching, research, and service.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Criminology, Criminal Justice, or closely related discipline with a clear criminological focus from an accredited institution, a clearly articulated research agenda, and a commitment to academic excellence and collegiality. Highly qualified ABD candidates will be considered if degree is completed by December 2025.

Preferred Qualifications:

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin 10/1/2024 and will continue until the positions are filled. Please include the following: cover letter, curriculum vitae, evidence of teaching experience/philosophy, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned*, list of three professional references with full contact information. For questions or additional information please contact: Search Committee Chair, Dr. Tasha Youstin, at tjyoustin@wcu.edu. *All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state 'Degree Awarded,' 'Degree Conferred,' or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your masters degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The masters degree transcript must have a notation such as 'Degree Awarded,' 'Degree Conferred,' or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

AA/EOE Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.