Assist/Assoc/Full Professor of the Practice - Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice at the University of Kansas (KU) is a program in the School of Professional Studies, located on the KU Edwards Campus (KUEC) in Overland Park, KS in the Kansas City (KC) Metropolitan area. KUEC has been a KU presence in KC for 30 years, playing a crucial role in the Greater KC professional community. The campus now offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs with classes geared toward working professionals, available in the evening, online and in-person.

The KU School of Professional Studies (SPS) was created in 2019 with a vision to transform students' lives and improve communities through innovative, student-focused, and exemplary academic programs that lead to rewarding careers in an array of fields that serve the workforce needs of KS and beyond. SPS offers a variety of disciplines, course formats, class schedules, student services, aid, and more to meet the needs of students who may work full-time, have considerable commitments outside of the classroom, have prior college-level education or otherwise need a different approach to earning academic credentials. SPS continues to launch new degree programs aimed at supporting the needs of future students and is poised for significant growth over the next 5 years.

KUEC and SPS have a reputation for employing innovative teaching techniques and serving the unique needs of non-traditional students. KUEC and SPS faculty enjoy an interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere focused on supporting faculty in building rewarding careers while improving the success of students we teach. Employees typically enjoy a hybrid work environment, providing sufficient flexibility for a healthy work-life balance.

KU launched baccalaureate programs in Criminal Justice in 2023 to meet the growing employment demands of law enforcement, corrections, policy, courts administration, and related workforce needs in the KC metropolitan area, the greater KS and MO region and nationally. The BA and BS in Criminal Justice are both delivered as online, degree completion programs and as a freshman admit 4-year traditional program, for those with a strong interest in understanding how agencies and institutions function as part of the criminal justice system. Students will learn about different ideas of justice and come to understand the impact the justice system has on lives of individuals and communities through law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. In addition to understanding the historical context that shaped current agencies and institutions, students will have the opportunity to engage timely topics like constitutional rights, police use of force, collaboration with tribal nations, alternatives to incarceration, and the use of evidence-based practices.

One degree path is for traditional, first-year college students at the Lawrence campus where they declare the major as a freshman and take their classes on the Lawrence campus. Another degree path is particularly designed for students who have already earned an associate's degree or equivalent hours and are looking to complete the last two years necessary for a BA or BS degree. That program can be completed fully online, or hybrid, based on students' location and preference.

Position Overview:
The Criminal Justice/Professor of the Practice is a 12-month, non-tenured position with both Teaching and Service responsibilities. The position is expected to maintain regular office hours and attend events on weekends or evenings as needed. The Asst/Assoc/Professor of the Practice serves a 3-year limited term, that may be renewed pending comprehensive evaluation. The Professor of the Practice works with the Program Director to provide courses and support for students in Criminal Justice (CRIM) and any extensions of this new program that may be developed in the future within SPS.

Responsibilities include managing course development and design (including course transitioning and development of new online and hybrid courses), delivering Lawrence classroom and online instruction, and providing academic support for these programs, related long-term curriculum development, student recruitment and admission, student retention, program quality and assessment, community outreach, and alumni development. The position requires an in-person presence at the KU Lawrence campus. The selected individual may office at either the KU Edwards or KU Lawrence location.

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

KU Benefits: KU offers an array of benefits to assist employees with their health, life, retirement, and other needs. Details regarding benefits offered to employees can be found here:Benefits | Human Resource Management (ku.edu)

Job Description:
Teaching - 80%

• Teach eight courses per calendar year in Criminal Justice in-person at the Lawrence Campus, and online during summer. Teaching responsibilities include: curriculum development, instructional design, classroom management, grading and teaching improvement in relation to student and colleague feedback, mentoring/advising students.

• Faculty are responsible for keeping curriculum up-to-date and engaging with external organizations to ensure relevance to a variety of workplace needs. In addition to the regular class teaching schedule, it is expected that transitioning courses to online, hybrid and different length formats as needed will be part of the position.

• Faculty adhere to program, School, and University policies.

Service - 20%
Curriculum Development/Recruitment:

• Develop mechanisms to receive constant feedback from the relevant constituencies, including the collaboration with an advisory board and participation in professional meetings to ensure the continued relevance of the curriculum to meet student and workforce needs.

• Coordinate with Program Director to identify program goals for students in appropriate language for marketing; and collaborating with faculty and staff at the KU Edwards and KU Lawrence for promotional activities; and recruiting highly qualified students.

• Work with faculty, staff, and the KU Center for Online and Distance Learning to transition/maintain courses for online delivery. Continuously monitor in-person and online course offerings to ensure content remains relevant and refreshed on a regular basis.

1. Master's degree from a nationally accredited university in Criminal Justice, or closely related field, is expected by the start date of the appointment.
2. Years of related experience in criminal justice required for each rank:

• Assistant Professor of the Practice: 3-5 years
• Associate Professor of the Practice: 6-15 years
• Professor of the Practice: 16+ years

3. Excellence in written communication skills as demonstrated in application materials

Only complete application packages submitted online will be considered. A complete online application will include:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Application review begins October 20, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified. The start date is as early as January, 2026, but as late as June, 2026.

Susan Whitford
susan.whitford@ku.edu

Commensurate with experience

Monday October 20, 2025

Thursday January 1, 2026