Job Summary
The Department of Criminal Justice at Purdue University Fort Wayne invites applications for a Visiting Instructor in Criminal Justice position beginning August 2026. This is a full-time, nine-month, non-tenure-track appointment with a 4/4 teaching load. The instructor will teach undergraduate courses in the criminal justice curriculum, mentor undergraduate students, and contribute to the instructional mission of the department. The position includes a competitive salary and benefits package. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching and student engagement.
The Department
The Department of Criminal Justice, housed in the College of Liberal Arts, is one of the largest departments in the college, with approximately 150 undergraduate majors. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Minor in Criminal Justice for non-majors, and a Minor in Forensic Investigations open to students across the university. The curriculum examines the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections, while addressing contemporary issues in crime and justice policy. The program prepares students for careers in criminal justice and public service, as well as for graduate study and law school.
The University
A modern campus sitting on nearly 600 beautiful acres along the banks of the St. Joseph River, Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) has a significant presence in the region as the largest university in northeastern Indiana and is a designated metropolitan campus within the esteemed Purdue University system. Our students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees from one of the most trusted and prestigious brands in higher education. With just under 6,000 students (46% of whom are first generation), over 300 full-time faculty members, and eight colleges and schools, PFW offers its students small classes, individualized attention and an array of high-impact learning experiences. Benefiting from a 13:1 ratio, students work alongside faculty to tackle real-world challenges through groundbreaking research, create exciting new scholarship, and explore new facets of creative expression. PFW serves the region as the hub of intellectual, social, economic, and cultural advancement.
Our campus is located within Indiana’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne, which has a population of 270,000 and resides within a greater metropolitan area of approximately 430,000. The city enjoys a diverse, active, and well-supported arts community, is home to several minor league sports teams, and has miles of pathways and trails that highlight the city and the three rivers that flow through it. Fort Wayne has been named an "All-American City" four times and is consistently cited for the high quality of life, low cost of living, and warm hospitality. Fort Wayne has been named one of the best places to raise children; US News & World Report ranked it a Top 50 Best Places to Live in 2022-2023.
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications include a master’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, or a closely related field. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. Preferred qualifications include university-level teaching experience, particularly at the undergraduate level, and professional or applied experience in the criminal justice field.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following materials: a letter of interest addressing teaching experience and teaching interests, unofficial transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching and advising philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and the names and contact information of three professional references. Candidates invited for a phone interview and subsequently for a campus interview will be expected to deliver a 45–60 minute instructional presentation for students as part of the interview process.
Applications must be submitted through the PFW employment portal: https://careers.purdue.edu/FW/go/FW-Faculty/7720100/?_ga=2.101656454.668269101.1774265351-2012700520.1702403129. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The position is contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory background check. Questions regarding the position or the application process may be directed to Dr. Nurgul Aitalieva (Department Chair) at aitalien@pfw.edu. Purdue University Fort Wayne is an EEO/AA employer.