Adjunct Faculty - Criminal Justice (Undergraduate) - Corrections, Criminology, and Research Methods

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

Aurora University seeks talented adjunct faculty who are passionate about teaching and learning. Adjunct faculty are qualified part-time instructors offered teaching opportunities based on course demand and staffing.

Essential Job Functions:

The Criminal Justice Department is seeking qualified adjunct instructors for the 2026–2027 academic year to teach undergraduate courses in Corrections, Criminology, and Research Methods. This position requires on-ground, in-person instruction, often scheduled during daytime hours for the Spring 2027 semester.

Course Responsibilities:

• Corrections: Lead students through an examination of jails, probation, prisons, and parole. Key topics include institutional management, recidivism, rehabilitation, and current trends in the field. The instructor will be responsible for coordinating "field experiences" outside the classroom to help students apply course material.
• Criminology: Provide an introduction to theories of criminal causation and control, while covering the history and development of the criminological enterprise. Emphasis should be placed on the social meaning of crime, victims, and punishment.
• Research Methods: Instruct students on the basic principles of social science research, including ethics, data collection, and preparation. A critical component of this course is leading computer lab exercises where students utilize SPSS to enter and analyze data.

Necessary Experience & Qualifications:

• Teaching Experience: Candidates must have demonstrative experience teaching undergraduate criminological theory and research methods. Prior experience in a higher education classroom is strongly preferred.
• Quantitative Skills: Demonstrated experience using quantitative tools and methods is required, specifically proficiency in teaching students how to produce and interpret statistical information.
• Practical Experience: Relevant practical experience in the criminal justice or correctional system is preferred to provide real-world context to theoretical concepts.
• Other Skills: Ability to mentor students through practical "field experiences" and assist them in becoming informed consumers of criminal justice information.

Essential Job Requirements:

A master's degree in a related field, or a law degree, is required. College-level teaching experience is strongly preferred.

Skills:

The anticipated pay rate for this position is $1,100 per credit hour. This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.