Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Ferrum College • Ferrum, VA

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About The Position

Ferrum College invites applications for an open-rank position in Criminal Justice at the rank of Tenure‑Track Assistant Professor or, depending on qualifications and experience, an accelerated Tenure‑Track Associate Professor. The position will begin in August 2026. We seek a dynamic, student-centered educator to contribute to Ferrum’s Criminal Justice program. The successful candidate will teach a full course load (12 credit hours per semester) of undergraduate courses and support the continued development of the program through mentorship, curriculum development, and community engagement. Areas of teaching may include courses such as criminal investigation, forensic investigation, crime scene analysis, interviewing and crisis intervention, criminal profiling, and related areas depending on the candidate’s expertise and program needs.

Founded in 1913, Ferrum College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers a wide range of liberal arts and professional programs including business, recreation leadership, musical theatre, agriculture, environmental science, teacher education, criminal justice, and psychology. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, Ferrum provides an outstanding educational experience in a setting of exceptional natural beauty with close access to lakes, rivers, hiking trails, and state parks.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or doctorate in Criminal Justice or a closely related field by August 2026.
• Demonstrated ability to teach a range of undergraduate Criminal Justice courses.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with students, faculty, and community stakeholders.
• A commitment to teaching in a student-focused liberal arts environment.

Nice To Haves

• College-level teaching experience.
• Professional or applied experience in criminal justice or a related field.
• Evidence of effective teaching and student engagement.
• For tenure-track candidates, evidence of or potential for scholarly activity.
• Experience incorporating innovative or inclusive pedagogical approaches and instructional technologies into the classroom.

Responsibilities

• Teaching undergraduate courses in Criminal Justice.
• Advising and mentoring students in the Criminal Justice program.
• Participating in curriculum development and program assessment.
• Serving on departmental and college committees.
• Engaging with community partners and professionals in the criminal justice field to support experiential learning opportunities for students.
• Maintaining professional engagement and scholarly activity appropriate to rank.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time