Director of Undergraduate Studies in Criminal Justice - Assistant, Associate, or Professor

The University of Kentucky, College of Social Work (CoSW) is a renowned leader in higher education. Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition. As the state’s flagship university, CoSW is committed to actualizing this mission through innovative, accessible academic programming. The college offers several undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, including Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (traditional and online), Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and multiple certificate programs.

About the role

The Director of Undergraduate Studies in Criminal Justice serves as the academic leader for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice programs and undergraduate certificate offerings. Reporting directly to the Chair and Executive Director of Criminal Justice, the Director provides strategic leadership for curriculum, student success, faculty engagement, program quality, and academic innovation across both in-person and online learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and communicate vision, priorities, and goals for undergraduate degrees and certificate programs in Criminal Justice.
• Represent the interests of undergraduate programs and certificates at relevant international, national, state, and local venues.
• Provide leadership and support to faculty and staff assigned to undergraduate programs and certificates.
• Remain informed about emerging challenges and opportunities affecting undergraduate students and collaborate with faculty and staff to address needs and enhance opportunities.
• Actively engage in development initiatives that strengthen scholarship support for undergraduate Criminal Justice students.
• Partner with the Director of Recruitment to implement strategies that increase applications and admissions to the undergraduate Criminal Justice programs.
• Lead the deployment of new programmatic efforts associated with the undergraduate Criminal Justice programs and certificates.
• Develop strategic plans and frameworks consistent with programmatic goal attainment and broader CoSW and University plans.
• Oversee the delivery of the BACJ and BSCJ curricula and certificate programs.
• Build, submit, and track annual budget requests for the undergraduate Criminal Justice programs and certificates.
• Recruit and support PTIs assigned to the undergraduate Criminal Justice programs and certificates.
• Participate in personnel reviews and assessments for faculty teaching in the undergraduate Criminal Justice programs.
• Lead annual curricula reviews for the undergraduate Criminal Justice programs.
• Establish and lead quality assurance reviews and processes, with strict adherence to program-specific learning outcomes.
• Provide performance and other reports associated with the BACJ and BSCJ programs and certificates.
• Serve on the CoSW Academic Leadership Council and the CoSW Leadership Team.
• Serve as an ex officio member of the following college committees: Admissions and Retention, Advising and Student Concerns Committee, and the Curriculum Committee.
• Fulfill other assignments as outlined in the Distribution of Effort (DOE), including research, teaching, and service as assigned by the Dean.

Requirements

• PhD in Criminology or Criminal Justice.
• Strong potential for securing external funding and producing high-quality scholarship.
• Ability to foster, develop, and/or maintain positive professional relationships with local, state, federal, and private criminal justice-focused agencies/organizations/associations.
• Demonstrable administrative experience is preferred, although applicants with significant engagement in criminal justice education, leadership, curriculum review, and development will be considered.

Qualifications

The anticipated Distribution of Effort (DOE) for this position is roughly 50% administration, 25% teaching, 20% research, and 5% service. Faculty are expected to develop and maintain a dynamic, externally funded research program and a strong record of high-impact scholarship (e.g., publications, presentations). Successful candidates will teach undergraduate and graduate courses. Work in this faculty appointment, including course instruction, office hours, administrative meetings, and college-wide events, is expected to occur on-site.

Benefits

• Generous contributions to retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance.
• Optional benefits including dental and vision insurance, and additional retirement plans.

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability.