Job Description

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computing & Engineering; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, RN, & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change in their own lives, professions, and communities. Sacred Heart University has earned national recognition for academic excellence, student success, career outcomes, and campus experience. The Princeton Review recognized SHU in its Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2027 Edition, while additional national recognitions highlight the University’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers and lifelong success. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; Division I athletics; and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance, and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

View SHU’s Faculty Experts Here

The Department of Sociology, Criminology & Criminal Justice in the College of Arts & Sciences at Sacred Heart University invites applications for an on-ground Tenure-Track Assistant Professor position to begin in August 2027. We seek a colleague committed to excellent undergraduate teaching and an active scholarly agenda. Generalists are welcome, and we encourage applicants from all areas of criminology and criminal justice to apply. We are particularly interested in candidates who can teach core courses in the criminal justice major such as introduction to corrections, along with introduction to criminal justice, research methods, as well as courses that support our criminology minor.

The Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice at Sacred Heart University brings together faculty who study crime, justice, and social inequality from sociological and criminological perspectives. Our undergraduate programs combine rigorous theoretical grounding with applied learning, preparing students for careers in the justice system, human services, and public policy, as well as for graduate and professional study. Faculty are active scholars who mentor students closely, and our students benefit from small classes, research opportunities, and internship experiences. The department is growing and, in the Spring of 2028, we will launch a new Master of Arts in Criminology & Criminal Justice (MCCJ). The program will prepare students for advanced roles in the justice system and related fields and provide a foundation for doctoral study. Our forthcoming MCCJ program reflects the department's commitment to evidence-based practice, social justice, and community engagement. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to teach and mentor graduate students.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Teach core courses required of the criminal justice major, including Introduction to Corrections, along with Introduction to Criminal Justice, Research Methods, and courses that support our Criminology minor.
• Develop and teach upper-level electives that reflect their expertise and complement existing departmental offerings
• Advise and mentor undergraduate students, including in research and internship experiences
• Maintain an active program of scholarship, including peer-reviewed publication
• Contribute to departmental, college, and university service

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Criminology or Criminal Justice. A J.D. alone will not satisfy the degree requirement. Candidates who are ABD will be considered, though a Ph.D. must be in-hand by the start date.
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching
• Evidence of scholarly productivity or clear promise of it
• Ability to teach across the Criminology and Criminal Justice curriculum

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates are invited to submit:

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• A research statement
• contact information for three references (letters of recommendation will be required from final candidates)
• Graduate transcripts. Copies of transcripts are acceptable during the initial stage; however official transcripts will be required upon a formal offer of employment.

Review of applications will begin November 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.

Please direct any questions to the Department Chair, Dr. Bethany Van Brown at vanbrownb@sacredheart.edu

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.