Political Science - Full-Time, Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor

Job Details

: Job Location: Edmond, OK 73034,

Position Type: Faculty,

Job Category: OTRS Classified, Preference

Description

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.