Lecturer in Criminal Justice/College of Liberal Arts

Lecturer in Criminal Justice/College of Liberal Arts Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply for this Job link/button. Office Location: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W. University Drive, MASS Building 2nd Floor, Edinburg, TX 78539 Edinburg Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io | Brownsville Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Faculty Recruitment: College of Engineering & Computer Science – View email address on click.appcast.io; Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship – View email address on click.appcast.io Scope of Job We seek applicants committed to serving the student body of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as a three-year Lecturer in the Department of Criminal Justice, beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year. The Department of Criminal Justice at UTRGV invites applications for Lecturer positions to begin in Fall 2026. The area of specialization is open; however, preference will be given to candidates whose teaching and professional expertise align with departmental needs and complement the existing curriculum. Successful candidates will be expected to teach a combination of lower- and upper‑division undergraduate courses. Opportunities may also be available to teach in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program (both seats and online), depending on qualifications and departmental needs. Lecturers are expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching, engage in appropriate service activities, and contribute to the ongoing development of the department’s academic programs. Given UTRGV’s distributed campus model, candidates should be prepared to teach using a variety of instructional modalities, including face‑to‑face, online, and hybrid formats, and to utilize technology effectively to support student success and access. About UTRGV UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and the application of university discoveries, UTRGV supports sustainable development, community engagement, and well‑being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service. Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic‑Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV promotes student access and success by building on strengths in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, UTRGV will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high‑quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top three universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. Department Background The Department of Criminal Justice at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is grounded in a core mission of engagement with our students, our community, and the evolving field of criminal justice. As one of the largest departments within the College of Liberal Arts, we are committed to student‑centered teaching, applied learning, and meaningful faculty‑student interaction. Our faculty are active scholars and practitioners across key areas, including criminology, policing, corrections, and law, working collaboratively with community partners to generate new knowledge and address real‑world challenges. While our degree programs reflect the foundational areas of the discipline, the department continues to evolve through innovative research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong emphasis on social impact. As a Hispanic‑serving institution in a bilingual and culturally dynamic region, UTRGV provides a unique environment for teaching, research, and community engagement. We seek colleagues who are enthusiastic about contributing to this mission and helping shape the future direction of the department. Minimum Qualifications A Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Criminal Justice, or any closely related field with at least 18 graduate hours in Criminal Justice. Ability to function collegially in a multi‑disciplinary academic department. Discipline Specific Required Qualifications All substantive teaching and research focal areas will be considered, with preference being granted to substantive focal areas that best serve departmental need. Preferred Qualifications Ph.D. in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, or a Related Field from an accredited institution of higher education. Experience teaching in a classroom setting and online, as well as a demonstrated record of research activity, publications, and presentations. Ability to teach Statistics and Research Methods is strongly preferred. Work experience in the field of Criminal Justice. License or Certification Required? No Salary Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Desired Start Date 09/01/2026 Preferred Qualifications License or Certification Required? No Open and Close Dates Open Date: 04/23/2026 | Close Date: 05/22/2026 Additional Information UTRGV is a distributed institution. The position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. The position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Special Instructions to Applicants Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive: All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on‑campus interview. Required Fields Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). English Proficiency Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper‑based test score of 500 (computer‑based of 173 or internet‑based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Incomplete applications will not be considered. EEO Statement It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non‑discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Texas Rio Grande Valley