Assistant Professor- Critical Corrections and Prison Education, Department of Criminal Justice at Bridgewater State University – United States

Summary

Bridgewater State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Critical Corrections and Prison Education within the Department of Criminal Justice, starting Fall 2027. The successful candidate will carry a 4-4 teaching load, advise students, conduct scholarly research, and engage in service. Applicants must hold or complete a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or a closely related field by September 1, 2027. The role requires evidence of involvement with prison education programs, corrections-related scholarly activity, or relevant activism/service. Applications must be submitted by November 25, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	Department of Criminal Justice
Position Type	Assistant Professor
Discipline	Criminal Justice / Criminology
Research Area	Critical Corrections and Prison Education
Degree Required	Ph.D. in Criminal Justice or Criminology (or closely related field)
Experience	Involvement with prison education programs, scholarly activity/teaching in corrections/penology, or activism/service regarding reentry, decarceration or abolition
Salary	$75,000 to $85,000
Funding	Salary in accordance with Appendix O of the MSCA contract
Contract Duration	Tenure Track
Deadline	2026-11-25
Required Documents	Minimum of three professional reference entries, Cover letter, CV, Statement of teaching philosophy and experience, Statement regarding research agenda and plan, Equity and Inclusion Statement, Instructional artifact
Employer Address	Bridgewater, MA

Key Responsibilities

• Teach a variety of criminal justice courses, particularly in prison education or corrections
• Advise students and mentor undergraduate research
• Maintain an active scholarly research agenda
• Provide service to the department
• Utilize effective technology and high-impact active learning strategies in teaching

Required Skills

• Ability to demonstrate evidence of involvement with prison education programs, scholarly activity, or relevant service/activism
• Demonstrated ability to use technology effectively in teaching and learning
• Commitment to inclusive, student-centered, and impactful teaching strategies
• Ability to dialogue impactfully with students from diverse backgrounds and varied learning styles

Who Should Apply

Scholars with or near completion of a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or a related field who have experience or involvement in prison education, corrections, penology, or activism around reentry, decarceration, or abolition. Applicants should be committed to inclusive teaching, undergraduate research, and equity.

Benefits

• Supported with significant professional development opportunities and guidance
• Starting salary range of $75,000 to $85,000 commensurate with experience under the MSCA contract

About the Employer

Bridgewater State University is an inclusive public institution dedicated to student success and community engagement in Southeastern Massachusetts, featuring a diverse Department of Criminal Justice with over 600 undergraduate majors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What degree is required for this position?

A Ph.D. in Criminal Justice or Criminology (or a closely related field) by September 1, 2027 is required. A law degree alone does not meet the requirement.

What is the teaching load for this role?

The position carries a 4-4 teaching responsibility, most often implemented with a three-course preparation.

What is the expected starting salary?

The expected reasonable starting salary range for a new Assistant Professor is $75,000 to $85,000, in accordance with Appendix O of the MSCA contract.

What is the application deadline?

The application close date is November 25, 2026.