The Criminology Department invites applications for a tenure-track, assistant professor appointment for the Academic Year 2027-2028, specialization open. Preferred candidates will be those able and willing to teach both in-person and online; one or more core required courses; elective courses in their area of specialization; and contribute to the first-year Liberal Studies Program.
The Criminology Department at DePaul University is a rapidly growing undergraduate major in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Located on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus in Chicago, the Department provides students with an in-depth understanding of the various aspects of the criminal legal system, emphasizing courses that examine community justice; criminal justice administration; and race, class, gender, and the criminal legal system. DePaul’s Criminology major emphasizes critical thinking, strong analytical and writing skills, ethical considerations, and social justice.
Qualifications
The preferred candidate will have a Ph.D. in Criminology, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field, with effective teaching and research experience in criminology or criminal justice. ABD candidates with significant progress toward dissertation completion and individuals with lived experiences are encouraged to apply.
The search involves a two-step process: a Zoom interview and an on-campus interview. Candidates invited to an on-campus interview will be asked to complete two presentations to students and faculty: one research and one teaching presentation.
Successful applications will be required to support the Department and the University’s mission through teaching, scholarship and research activities, and service.
Teaching expectations include:
- supporting student learning, retention, persistence, and program completion;
- completing professional development;
- teaching assigned courses that may include day, evening, online, or hybrid courses;
- teaching at the Lincoln Park campus or online as needed;
- posting and holding office hours;
- maintaining and improving competence in the subjects taught; and
- advising students about career opportunities.
Scholarly or research expectations include:
- conducting research or producing scholarly works in criminology or criminal justice, including community-engaged scholarship or applied research;
- seeking opportunities to engage students in research activities;
- presenting at professionally recognized venues; and
- sharing one’s scholarship and research activities through peer review journals or other professionally recognized publication types.
Service expectations include:
- supporting student organizations or activities;
- participating in Department, College, and University committees;
- supporting local, state, national agencies or communities through research or other service activities; and
- participating in leadership positions with professional or community organizations.
Application Instructions
A complete application contains the following:
- a cover letter indicating your interest and qualification for the position, including any personal statements related to teaching, research-scholarship, and service,
- curriculum vita, and
- three reference letters.
Applicants may also submit evidence of effective teaching, including student teaching reviews, and evidence of research, including scholarly works such as peer-reviewed journal articles, dissertation chapters, etc.
Reviews of eligible applicants will begin on September 15, 2026, and continue until the position has been filled. Only complete applications will be considered, and priority will be given to those applications submitted by September 15, 2026. Questions about this position can be directed to Dr. Megan Alderden, Department Chair, at megan.alderden@depaul.edu.
General Compensation/Benefits Statement DePaul University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the qualifications, education, experience, and training of the selected candidate, the scope and responsibilities of the position, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. The salary range for this 10-month position is $67,900 - $72,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
DePaul University offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefit. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.
About DePaul University's Academic Calendar Except for the College of Law, DePaul University operates on a quarter system. Classes in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters are 11 weeks in length (including finals week) and Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length. The College of Law operates on the semester system. Classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length (including finals week) and it offers a Summer Session of 7 weeks (including final exams).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer with a strong commitment to hiring for our mission and diversifying our faculty and staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion (except where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification for the job), national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by law.
DePaul University and Our Mission
As an innovative Catholic, Vincentian university anchored in the global city of Chicago, DePaul supports the integral human development of its students. The university does so through its commitment to outstanding teaching, academic excellence, real-world experience, and community engagement. DePaul prepares its graduates to be successful in their chosen fields and agents of transformation throughout their lives.
Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul passionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. Through education, creative endeavors, and research, the university addresses the great questions of our day, promoting peaceful, just, and equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges. Since its founding in 1898, DePaul University has remained dedicated to making education accessible to all, with special attention to including underserved and underrepresented communities.
Comprised of ten colleges and schools, offering 130+ undergraduate majors and 170+ graduate programs, DePaul’s faculty challenges its students to analyze and solve real-world problems with rigor and innovation.
As an urban faith-based institution with a diverse student body, DePaul is committed to growing and maintaining a faculty dedicated to advancing the Vincentian mission through research, teaching, and service. DePaul upholds a fair and equitable recruitment, interview, and hiring process where supporting diverse populations and academic excellence are compatible goals. Our vibrant and diverse faculty is supported through academic and professional development resources. Successful candidates thrive and are at home in an environment where diverse cultures and identities, ideas, backgrounds, and experiences are welcomed and supported.
