Assistant Professor - Criminal Justice/Legal Studies

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive, state-supported institution serving more than 5,000 students on a beautiful 744-acre campus about 45 minutes north of Kansas City. Missouri Western is an active partner in the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people and region it serves. A distinct focus on applied learning and applied research is a hallmark of the innovative teaching and learning environment.

TEACHING OPPORTUNITY!

We seek an Assistant Professor with either a Criminal Justice Focus or a Legal Studies Focus.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE FOCUS:
Responsibilities include teaching criminal justice courses in a traditional and online mode; serve as an advisor; and maintain an active scholarly research and service agenda. Instructor’s specialty area will be policing. Other duties as assigned by the department chairperson and/or dean. Areas of specialization sought include, but are not limited to: Policing, Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Investigations, and Crime Analysis. The Criminal Justice Program offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and a graduate certificate and master’s degree in forensic investigations. The Department has a fully integrated Law Enforcement Academy and a criminalistics teaching lab.

LEGAL STUDIES FOCUS:
Responsibilities include teach courses, advise students, and participate in department college activities in an ABA approved Paralegal Program. Legal Studies offers a B.S. and A.S. degree and a Minor in
Legal Studies. There is also a new Bachelor of Law degree program beginning in the fall 2021. Course responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, a combination of the following: Personal Conflict Resolution, Conflict Management, Selected Topics in Peace & Conflict Resolution and various Legal Studies Concentration courses such as Legal Research, Advanced Legal Research, Legal Computer Applications, Legal Drafting, and other courses as required. Additional responsibilities may include compliance with ABA requirements, scholarship and professional development related to the teaching of and practice of legal studies; advising students; providing departmental/university/community service.

Duties include:
• Teaching: teach undergraduate and graduate students in a specific field of expertise; participation in programs that promote instructional development in the discipline; develop and manage curricular materials, ensuring that they meet departmental and university standards; participation in campus initiatives related to teaching such as learning communities, honors programs, and applied learning.

• Scholarship: engage in scholarly and creative activities leading to peer-reviewed artifacts, performances, and/or exhibitions including basic research or creative expression, reviews and/or integrates prior research, applies current knowledge and innovations to important practices, and focuses on the nature and improvement of teaching.
• Service: document students’ attendance, participation, and academic progress by giving and grading assignments, projects, quizzes and/or examinations that lead to a final grade; plan and create lectures, in-class activities, and assignments; maintain currency in one’s area of expertise and discipline; provide academic advising and support related to the academic progress of students; is accessible to students outside the classroom, providing ample periods of time for counseling and mentoring students in matters related to academic success; engage in service activities in support of departmental, college, and university needs; service supporting community outreach; and service to relevant.

Ph.D., JD, or equivalent terminal degree, teaching experience in higher education.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Experience with distance education; and three years field experience. The candidate chosen will possess excellent communication skills; demonstrate successful instructional methods that address a variety of learning styles and demonstrate an ability to work effectively within a scholarly environment. A post-graduate degree in a dispute resolution discipline or other specialty relevant to this position.