University of North Georgia
Type: Full-Time
Posted:
Category: Criminal Justice and Sociology
Position: Department Head
Rank: Associate or Full Professor (12-month administrative appointment)
Location: Dahlonega Campus (with possible multi-campus responsibilities)
Start Date: August 2026
Position Number: 40098593
About the University of North Georgia
The University of North Georgia (UNG), a multi-campus institution with nearly 20,000 students, is one of the largest public universities in the University System of Georgia. Located in the fastest-growing region of the state and federally designated as a senior military college, UNG is committed to academic excellence, leadership development, and community engagement.
About the Department of Criminal Justice at UNG
The Department of Criminal Justice serves a growing population of undergraduate and graduate students across several different academic and professional programs. At the undergraduate level, students may pursue the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice or the B.S. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensics. The department also offers the Criminal Justice–P.O.S.T. Certification track in partnership with UNG’s Public Safety Academy, allowing students to complete Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) requirements while earning at B.S degree in criminal justice. At the graduate level, the department offers the fully online Master of Science in Criminal Justice, which emphasizes international crime and justice. The department also houses the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Intelligence—the first program of its kind in the state—designed to prepare scholars and practitioners for leadership roles in research, intelligence analysis, homeland security, and justice administration. Together, these programs reflect the department’s commitment to academic rigor, professional preparation, and engaged learning supported by faculty with both academic and practitioner experience.
Job Summary
The University of North Georgia invites applications for the position of Department Head of Criminal Justice. This 12-month administrative appointment reports directly to the Dean of Arts & Letters and provides academic, operational, and strategic leadership for the department.
Responsibilities
The Department Head provides strategic, administrative, and academic leadership for the Department of Criminal Justice. As a 12-month administrative faculty member, the Department Head oversees all departmental operations, supports faculty and students, and advances the mission of the College and the University. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Duties
- Build and manage semester course schedules, faculty teaching assignments, and workload distribution. Monitor enrollment trends each term and adjust course offerings to support student progression and timely program completion.
- Ensure the quality, integrity, and continuous improvement of all academic programs, including undergraduate degrees, graduate programs, and Public Safety Academy pathways. Direct academic assessments, program reviews, and learning-outcome evaluations. Provide vision, direction, and long-term planning for departmental programs and initiatives.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate full-time and part-time faculty. Conduct annual performance evaluations, goal-setting discussions, and semester check-ins. Ensure faculty syllabi, instructional materials, and teaching methods meet academic and institutional standards. Guide faculty through pre-tenure, promotion and tenure, and post-tenure review processes.
- Manage departmental budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation. Support development of grant proposals, external funding, and community-engaged projects.
- Lead regular departmental meetings and ensure effective communication with faculty, staff, and students.
- Participate in leadership meetings with the Dean and represent the department at other on-campus meetings, including Academic Affairs and department head meeting and effectively disseminate college and university initiatives to departmental faculty, staff, and students. Foster a collegial, inclusive, student-centered, and academically rigorous departmental culture. Support recruitment, retention, advising, and degree-completion initiatives for undergraduate and graduate students. Address student concerns, grievances, academic issues, and classroom-related matters.
- Served as an advocate for the department within the university and the broader community, representing the department’s interests and communicating administrative decisions to faculty. Works collaboratively with other department chairs, Dean, and university administrators to advance the institution’s strategic goals and initiatives.
- Teach within the department as appropriate (typically at a reduced load), supporting undergraduate and graduate instruction.
- Maintain an active scholarly record consistent with faculty rank and administrative duties.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or a closely related field.
- Scholarly record fitting appointment as a tenured Associate or Full Professor.
- Evidence of leadership, teaching excellence, and research productivity.
Preferred Qualifications
- Three or more years of administrative experience as a coordinator or director of an academic program
- Experience teaching and mentoring graduate students.
- Experience with curriculum development and assessment.
Institutional & System Expectations
UNG adheres to USG Core Values: Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. Employment depends on a successful background check and credential verification.
Application Instructions
Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Three References (names and contact information)
- Unofficial transcripts (official required upon hire)
Applications accepted via the UNG employment portal.
Equal Employment Opportunity
UNG is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender, religion, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status.