Job description

Sioux City, IA

The Department of Social Sciences at Morningside University seeks a faculty member for the Criminal Justice program as a tenure-track Assistant Professor. The position emphasizes the administration of justice, corrections, criminological theory, law adjudication, and research and analysis methods. This position is a nine-month appointment beginning August 10, 2026.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in criminal justice/criminology or a closely related discipline; ABD will be considered. The teaching load is 24 credits per year, including a May Term every three years. Candidates must be able to teach courses such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Law and Procedure, Corrections, and/or a Criminal Justice Capstone Seminar. Faculty may have the opportunity to develop new courses in their specialty. Candidates must also be willing to contribute to the general education curriculum by teaching statistics or first-year writing. Ideal candidates will have an active scholarly agenda that may include collaborating with students.

Morningside is a private university located in Sioux City, Iowa, that serves over 2,000 students from almost all 50 states and more than 30 countries. It was established in 1894 by The United Methodist Church, an affiliation it continues to maintain, and Chad Benson serves as its Interim President. The main campus comprises 69 acres nestled in a serene, park-like setting in the heart of Iowa’s fourth largest city. Lags Farm and Sioux Gateway Airport are both nearby extensions of the campus that serve the School of Agriculture and Aviation.

Morningside’s largest undergraduate programs are education, nursing, and business, and the Sharon Walker School of Education, Nylen School of Nursing and School of Business all offer well-established online post-baccalaureate and graduate program options for nontraditional and graduate students. A strong commitment to experiential learning has enabled Morningside University to maintain a remarkable 99% job and graduate school placement rate for its undergraduate graduates over the past decade.

Morningside University is home to the Mustangs Athletic Department, which fields 28 varsity sports and is a proud member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Residential undergraduate students may also enjoy more than 50 student-led clubs and organizations or choose to get involved with the School of Visual and Performing Arts regardless of their major.

Learn more about Morningside University at morningside.edu

Review of applications for the position will begin immediately and will continue until filled. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by October 5th, 2025. Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship. Successful completion of a background check and education verification is required. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, religion, creed, race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, national origin, or other characteristics protected by state and federal law. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact the Director of Human Resources at [email protected].

How to apply

Apply online only by submitting an email to [email protected] entering Criminal Justice Search in the subject line and attaching a PDF or Microsoft Word files for the following documents: A cover letter, current curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, a brief statement of research interests, and the names and contact information for three persons to provide professional recommendations. Questions about the position may be addressed to Dr. Jessica LaPaglia, Criminal Justice Search Committee Chair, at: [email protected].