Political Science - Full-Time, Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
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About the role
Preference Date: January 11, 2027
Review of completed applications will begin January 11, 2027, and will continue until the position is filled.
Position Overview:
The Department of Political Science and Public Affairs at the University of Central Oklahoma invites applications for a full-time, renewable position at the rank of Assistant Professor.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to teach and mentor students in Oklahoma’s flagship metropolitan university. The successful candidate will join a vibrant department featuring a NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, graduate degrees in Political Science and International Affairs, and three active undergraduate majors. We seek a dynamic educator eager to contribute to public service education, engage with students, and participate in collaborative departmental life.
Note on Appointment: This is a full-time, annually renewable faculty appointment with eligibility for promotion through faculty ranks. It is a non-tenure-track position
Teaching & Departmental Responsibilities:
- Teaching Load: Typical class load is four courses per semester (4/4) across undergraduate and graduate levels in multiple formats (in-person, hybrid, and online).
- Instructional Focus: Teaching responsibilities will support courses across the department’s programs, with opportunities to teach at both the graduate and undergraduate levels depending on departmental needs and candidate strengths.
- Service & Mentorship: Mentors and advises undergraduate and graduate students; contributes to department, college, and university committees; participates in departmental assessment and accreditation support.
- Professional Activity: Sustains appropriate professional development, instructional improvement, and scholarly activity, including an active research agenda aligned with a 4/4 teaching commitment to support renewal and promotion
Required Qualifications
- An earned doctorate (Ph.D., D.P.A., or terminal degree) in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, or a related field from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution. (ABD candidates will be considered, provided all degree requirements are completed by the appointment start date. A J.D. alone without an accompanying master’s degree or relevant doctorate in a related field is not sufficient for this role).
- Evidence of commitment to effective university teaching and student success
Preferred Qualifications
We welcome applications from candidates with expertise across the discipline and encourage those with a broad range of substantive and methodological interests. Expertise that complements existing departmental strengths includes:
- our core freshman-level government course;
- undergraduate courses in public law and judicial politics;
- undergraduate and graduate-level courses in political science and public administration;
- graduate-level courses in tribal sovereignty governance, disaster management, policy analysis, nonprofit leadership, and research methods; and
- experience developing curriculum, advising students, and/or supervising graduate-level capstone/applied research projects
Application Instructions & Required Documents:
To ensure full consideration, applicants should submit all materials by December 1, 2026. Please submit the following documents through the UCO employment portal:
- Letter of Interest (Cover Letter) addressing your qualifications for teaching in an accredited MPA program and your approach to teaching and mentorship.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Teaching Portfolio:
- Statement of teaching philosophy (1–2 pages).
- Sample syllabi and recent course evaluations or teaching artifacts (if available).
- List of References: Names and complete contact information for three professional references.
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire)
About the Department and University:
The Department of Political Science and Public Affairs develops leadership qualities in students, expanding the scope of their career opportunities through student-centered education, professional training, and graduate education. The Department offers seven degree programs and three graduate certificates:
- Undergraduate: B.A. in Political Science, B.A. in Public Service, and B.A. in Public Law and Courts.
- Graduate: M.A. in Political Science, M.A. in International Affairs, MPA in Public and Nonprofit Management, and MPA in Urban Management (with an MPA in Tribal Sovereignty Governance program awaiting formal approval). In addition, we offer graduate certificates in Disaster Management, Policy Analysis, and Professional Development in Nonprofit Management.
Our MPA program has been accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Administration, and Affairs (NASPAA) since 2021 and is widely recognized for excellence in public service education.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.