Assistant Professor

Department : Criminal Justice Salary : Commensurate with Experience/Education
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.


Description :


The Department of Criminal Justice & Social Work in the College of Public Service, at the University of Houston Downtown (UHD) invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice position, to begin in August 2027.


Candidates will be required to:

• Teach a 3/3 course load of undergraduate and graduate courses in multiple modalities during the first year and a 3/4 load thereafter
• Engage in meaningful and evolving criminological and/or criminal justice research
• Engage in service activities within the department, college, university, and broader community
• Collaborate with students and provide mentorship
• Contribute to the ongoing development of curriculum in the degree programs

Required Qualifications


The selected candidate is required to have earned a Ph.D. in Criminology, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited university by the time of offer. Candidates from related disciplines are required to possess a master's degree in Criminal Justice or Criminology or at least 18 graduate credit hours in those fields. A Juris Doctor alone is not considered a qualifying terminal degree.


Preferred Qualifications

• Instructor-of-record teaching experience in criminal courts and legal courses
• Research specialization in policing, corrections, and/or criminal courts
• Experience teaching in multiple formats including in-person, online, hybrid, and flex modalities
• A documented and clearly articulated research agenda
• Evidence of ongoing scholarly activity and productivity

The University:


Located in the heart of Harris County and the Houston metroplex, the University of Houston-Downtown is a public university that serves the fourth largest city and one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation. UHD offers bachelor's degrees in 44 areas of study and nine master's degrees. Current enrollment is approximately 15,000 students, making UHD the second largest member institution in the University of Houston System. UHD is a federally designated Hispanic and Minority Serving University.


The College:


The College of Public Service (CPS) has two departments: Criminal Justice & Social Work and Urban Education. The college offers four bachelor's degrees and three master's degrees. The college is within walking distance of major police agencies, correctional facilities, and county, state, and federal courts. Additionally, the CPS maintains relationships with key social service providing organizations that serve the greater Houston area.


The Department:


The Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work offers degree plans leading to the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice, the Bachelor of Social Work, and Masters in Social Work degrees.


The Program:


The criminal justice programs serve traditional and non-traditional student populations with diverse backgrounds and professional interests. Students in criminal justice have opportunities to join academic and professional student organizations, learn from adjunct professors who currently hold leadership and practitioner positions in the criminal justice system, and engage in high-impact learning opportunities such as service-learning courses, internships, and work with faculty on research projects.

To apply for this position, fill out the online application and submit a curriculum vita, cover letter, unofficial graduate transcripts, and contact information for three professional references.


The search committee will begin screening applications as early as October 2026 , although the system will remain open for applications until the position is filled. Ideally, we will complete the selection process by the end of 2026.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.


The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.