Instructor (POOL) - School of Public Affairs & Administration

Part- to full-time instructor positions for the development and instruction of in-person and online courses in the School of Public Affairs & Administration. This is an instructional, adjunct faculty role that is not eligible for tenure or promotion. Renewal is based on unit needs, funding, and performance. The primary responsibility is instruction; there are no research or service obligations. Appointment dates and course durations (8–16 weeks) vary based on programmatic needs.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics. As Kansas is a right-to-work state, union membership is optional without repercussions. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. prior to the start date.

About the Role

Instructors teach undergraduate or graduate courses in the School of Public Affairs & Administration, including programs such as:

• Undergraduate program in public administration
• Undergraduate program in law and society
• Master’s of Urban Planning (MUP)
• Master’s of Public Administration (MPA)

Course needs span areas like Public Finance, Public Management, Nonprofit Management, Performance Management, Auditing, Human Resources Management, Budgeting and Policy Analysis, Public Policy and Administration, Organizational Analysis, Ethics, Quantitative Methods, Organizational Change, Information Technology, Law & Society, Urban Planning, Housing and Development, Sustainable Land Use Planning, Transportation, and related electives.

Responsibilities

• Teach a specified number of courses per semester (undergraduate or graduate, face-to-face, hybrid, or online).
• Design course content and syllabi in accordance with departmental guidance and KU standards, using provided resources.
• Prepare for and attend all class meetings, ensuring timely feedback and instructor-student interaction.
• Develop and administer assignments and tests, evaluate student work, provide feedback, and assign grades.
• Hold office hours (including set contact times and timely responses to student inquiries outside those hours).
• Adhere to departmental, college, and university policies.

Requirements

For instruction of undergraduate-level courses:

• MA in discipline or relevant field OR BA in discipline and 5 years of relevant work experience directly related to the specific area of instruction.

For instruction of graduate-level courses:

• PhD in relevant field OR Master’s and 7 years of relevant work experience directly related to the specific area of instruction.
• Record of research, scholarship, or achievement in the discipline.

Application Details

A complete application includes:

• A letter of application, including a list of courses the applicant is qualified to teach (view course offerings).
• A curriculum vitae.
• Names and contact information (including email) for three professional references.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with hires made as positions become available throughout the academic year. Initial review begins July 23, 2026.