Faculty in Criminology

Rank: Assistant or Associate Professor

Start Date: 07/01/2026

Department/School Summary:

The Social Sciences Department, housed in the School of Arts and Sciences, offers undergraduate programs in Psychology and Criminology in both online and on-campus formats across accelerated and traditional semester schedules as well as providing for the general education in social sciences of all undergraduate students.

The Criminology program at Fresno Pacific University serves adult and traditional learners with interests in criminology, restorative justice, and victim issues. The program prepares students for careers in criminology-related fields by providing a strong foundation in the study of crime, society, and justice systems. Instruction emphasizes the application of justice-oriented approaches, engagement with social and psychological theories of crime and criminal behavior, and the integration of a Christian/Anabaptist perspective throughout the curriculum.

Responsibilities:

• Teach in the Criminology curriculum across all modalities (face-to-face, blended, and online), on all campuses, as well as evening classes.
• Curriculum development and management including course sequences, faculty assignment, and ongoing assessment of the curriculum’s relevance to the field.
• Hiring, training, and evaluation of adjunct instructors within the program.
• Contribute to ongoing program assessment and evaluation.
• Work collaboratively with other Criminology faculty to continue the growth of Criminology at Fresno Pacific University.
• Remain current with new trends and developments in her/his field of expertise.
• Mentor students in the Criminology major and coordinate with academic advisors to support and engage students.
• Respond to student, faculty and staff requests, needs, complaints, and/or grievances as needed in a timely manner.
• Organize/supervise co-curricular activities in criminology.
• Represent the Criminology program at recruitment and enrollment events.
• Pursue an active scholarly agenda.
• Initiate relationships/partnerships with external organizations, agencies, and educational institutions to support student learning, engagement and recruitment.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students in an academic context that integrates your Christian faith and learning.
• Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the FPU Faith Expectations, and support the ideals and practices articulated in "The Fresno Pacific Idea."
• Other job duties as assigned.

Required:

• Earned MA or MS in Criminology, or a Master’s in Criminal Justice, or a related field. Candidates with a master’s degree only will be considered for a clinical faculty position without tenure.
• Record of scholarly achievement, evidenced by publications in respected, peer-reviewed academic journals or similar publications.
• Demonstrated experience of exceptional college-level teaching as evidenced by high-level course development in face-to-face, blended, and online modalities.
• Commitment to the Christian faith and the university’s mission of Christ-centered teaching and learning, and involvement in a local church.
• Ability to work collegially with students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
• Ability to teach and work with people with diverse cultural, religious, political, and education perspectives.
• Strong relational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve problems and barriers to organizational success.
• Commitment to the Christian faith and the University’s mission of Christ-centered teaching and learning and involvement in a local church.

Preferred:

• Earned Ph.D. in Criminology, Criminal Justice, or a related field (the J.D., Ed.D., or similar degree is not an acceptable credential for this position). ABD candidates will be considered; completion of a terminal degree is a requisite for continued employment. Applicants with the Ph.D. will be considered for a tenure-track faculty position.
• Demonstrated success in leadership and program administration.
• Ability to pursue an interdisciplinary approach to Criminology, in both research and teaching.
• Experience with and knowledge of the theories, principles, and application of restorative justice and peacemaking and conflict studies as demonstrated by research and publications, and/or professional experience.
• Experience living and working outside the United States, and/or the ability to bring an international perspective to the role.
• Successful teaching or administration in a Christian higher education setting.
• Evidence of successful goal setting and achievement under minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with Fresno Pacific University and/or the areas where the regional campuses are located.
• College level teaching experience demonstrated by course evaluations.

Environmental Conditions:

• Indoors in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation, up to eight hours per day.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
• Public contact position requiring professional apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

Physical Demands:

This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with light to moderate noise associated with business office equipment. The position may involve travel for meetings and events. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: remain in a stationary position 80 % of the time, be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets/office machinery etc., operate a computer and keyboard and other office productivity machinery such as calculators/copy machines/printers. The employee is occasionally required to position self to reach items on the floor and in high cabinetry. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members and be able to read a computer screen and paper documents. Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statements: brief statement (1 page or less) on each of the following topics:
  • Philosophy of Education
  • Relationship & Commitment to Jesus Christ and the Church
  • Relating Christian faith to discipline and teaching
• Official Transcripts (showing highest degree earned)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Christian Faith Reference
  • This person should have extensive knowledge of your Christian life and relationship with Jesus Christ. This knowledge should be expressed in the letter.

$70,304 to $120,963 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, FPU offers a competitive benefits package.

Faculty Salary Scale can be viewed at Human Resources | Fresno Pacific University

UNIVERSITY DESCRIPTION

Fresno Pacific University is the only accredited Christian university founded in the Central Valley. FPU connects every student’s untapped potential with unlimited opportunity for professional, personal and ethical growth. FPU offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs that stress solid academic preparation and a strong ethical foundation to more than 3,500 traditional and adult students on the main campus in southeast Fresno and regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online. The university also reaches about 8,000 students through professional development studies. FPU has the highest four-year graduation rate of any Central Valley college or university, and is a Hispanic Serving Institution, with a Hispanic student population of 47 percent. FPU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and ranked in the top tier among western universities—master’s category by U.S. News & World Report. Both U.S. News and Washington Monthly include FPU on their “Best Value” and “Best Bang for the Buck” lists, U.S. News places it at number 13 in its category for student social mobility and Money has ranked it at number 11 among 50 Best Colleges for Transfer Students. FPU is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church, and all employees express a personal Christian commitment and support the Christian mission of the university. A description of the unique quality of FPU as an academic community can be found in the Fresno Pacific Idea at fresno.edu/about/fpu_idea.