Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice (Courts, Law, and Judicial Studies)/College of Liberal Arts

Title Information

Faculty TitleAssistant Professor

Job Class Code10031

FLSAExempt

Position Information

Posting NumberFRGV2057

Working TitleAssistant Professor of Criminal Justice (Courts, Law, and Judicial Studies)/College of Liberal Arts

Number of Vacancies1

LocationRio Grande Valley, Texas

Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs

Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position

Tenure StatusTenure Track

FTE1.0

Scope of Job

We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s student body as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year.

The Department of Criminal Justice invites applications for one full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice (Courts, Law, and Judicial Studies). Areas of interest may include courts and judicial processes, criminal law and procedure, sentencing, prosecution and defense, plea bargaining, bail and pretrial justice, judicial decision-making, specialty and problem-solving courts, wrongful convictions, legal decision-making, court policy and reform, or related areas. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses within the candidate’s area of specialization and core Criminal Justice courses as departmental needs require, with opportunities to teach in both Traditional and Accelerated Online graduate formats.

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 application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) 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 will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we 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 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website.

Department/College Background

The Department of Criminal Justice is part of the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is one of the University’s largest departments. The Department offers the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice ( BSCJ ) and the Master of Science in Criminal Justice ( MSCJ ), including Traditional and Accelerated Online pathways. Fall 2025 BSCJ enrollment was approximately 2,245 students, and Fall 2025 MSCJ enrollment was approximately 90 students. Faculty are based primarily on the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses and support undergraduate and graduate education, research, professional engagement, and community partnerships.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Criminology, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field is required. Advanced ABD candidates will be considered, but all Ph.D. requirements must be completed by the start date. A Juris Doctorate alone does not meet the minimum qualifications. Candidates must demonstrate potential for scholarly productivity and the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary academic department.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate a teaching and research specialization in courts, judicial processes, criminal law and procedure, sentencing, or a closely related criminal justice area.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates whose scholarship addresses contemporary issues involving courts and judicial processes, sentencing, prosecution and defense, criminal procedure, judicial decision-making, pretrial justice, wrongful convictions, specialty courts, or court policy and reform. Candidates with a demonstrated record of scholarly activity, experience teaching in classroom and online environments, potential for external funding and interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate research are especially encouraged to apply. A Ph.D. with a J.D. is desirable but not required; a J.D. alone does not satisfy the minimum qualification.

License or Certification Required?No

SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Desired Start Date09/01/2027

Posting Detail Information

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, the 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.

Open Date10/01/2026

Close Date11/01/2026

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, 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 the 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. This 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.

Please Note

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. All positions are subject to budget approval.

Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/52564

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae

• Unofficial Transcripts

• List of 3 References

• Letter of Interest

Optional Documents

• Resume

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

• Teaching Philosophy

• Writing / Publication Sample

• Reference Letter 1

• Reference Letter 2

• Reference Letter 3

• Multi Media

• Certifications and Licenses

• Training Certificates

• Other Document

• Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness

• Unofficial Transcripts 2

• Unofficial Transcripts 3