Jacksonville State University
Assistant or Associate Professor, Emergency Management and Public Administration
Jacksonville State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor beginning August 2027 in the Department of Emergency Management and Public Administration.
This position will be responsible for teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in both emergency management and public administration programs. The candidate will contribute to teaching the core curriculum of the MPA program, in particular courses in the areas of Organizational Studies, Public Personnel Management, and Nonprofit Management. The candidate should also be able to teach emergency management courses at the graduate level, including research methods and guide emergency management doctoral students in their dissertation research. The candidate must be committed to teaching in different modalities, especially in an online format. Jax State offers the most comprehensive emergency management programs in the nation, from bachelor’s to doctorate levels. JSU's NASPAA-accredited MPA program is also unique in that it offers concentrations in political science, emergency management, criminal justice, GIS, and administrative management.
Required Qualifications:
• Doctorate in a related discipline
Preferred Qualifications:
• Master's in Public Administration.
• Teaching experience at the college/university level.
• Experience in teaching online courses.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness in public administration and emergency management involving innovative teaching practices aimed at engaging students and enhancing program visibility.
• Evidence of consistent involvement in research and grant-writing experience in the field of public administration or emergency management.
• Success in scholarly activities such as publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Evidence of working with practitioners or prior work experience in the field.
• Experience or interest in monitoring graduate students and serving on doctoral dissertation committees and/or capstone projects.
• Experience or interest in curriculum development, student recruitment, and program growth.
• Willingness and ability to relocate to the Jacksonville, Alabama area upon appointment.
About the Department:
Jax State’s Department of Emergency Management and Public Administration offers a Graduate Certificate, Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Science (DSc) degrees in Emergency Management and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree.
The Department has 13 full-time faculty members and offers a NASPAA accredited MPA program. At the undergraduate level, the department offers a BS degree in Emergency Management and an APCO Public Safety Telecommunications International Certificate.
At the graduate level, the department offers a DSc in Emergency Management, an MS degree in Emergency Management, the Masters in Public Administration (with six concentrations) and a graduate certificate in Emergency Management. Preparing our students for a professional career in emergency management and public administration is of primary importance and we do so by focusing on professional practice, real-world experiences, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive analysis and applied research necessary for the complex work associated with the disciplines.
About the College:
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers quality academic programs through traditional, hybrid, and online course offerings. We proudly serve the central Alabama region, as well as students from all over the world who want an excellent and affordable education. Our College offers professional degree programs for immediate careers at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral level and preparation for success in graduate school.
Our faculty and staff seek to serve students in a manner that leads to transformative educational and interpersonal experiences. Students work with accomplished faculty who are engaged in innovative forms of teaching, scholarship, and service. Our goal is to provide students with opportunities and experiences that lead to life-long personal and professional success.
Graduates are prepared for work in aviation, criminal justice and forensics, emergency management and disaster preparedness, politics and public administration, psychology, sociology, social work, military and veteran services.
About Jax State:
Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State University, also known as Jax State, is a learning-centered comprehensive public university in Jacksonville, Alabama. Nestled in the Appalachian foothills of northeast Alabama, midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State is home to more than 10,000 students from more than 60 countries. As a learning-centered university, it strives to challenge students academically in a responsive environment and supports them in achieving their educational, career and personal goals. As an institution of higher learning, it seeks to produce broadly educated graduates prepared for global engagement while promoting scholarly research and service activities that align with its academic and professional strengths.
Jax State is recognized as a top-tier regional university, climbing steadily in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings over the past four years. Also known as “the friendliest campus in the South,” Jax State offers a diverse and comprehensive range of academic programs designed to prepare students for successful careers and lifelong learning. The University provides 46 undergraduate degree programs, 12 undergraduate microcredentials and certificates, 64 master's programs, three doctoral programs, seven Educational Specialist (EdS) programs and 15 graduate certificate programs and microcredentials. Many of these programs are available entirely online, offering flexibility to accommodate students' schedules and learning preferences.
The University maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, ensuring personalized instruction and mentorship in a supportive learning environment. With one of the highest percentages of accredited programs among universities nationwide, Jax State is committed to academic excellence and student success.
For more information, visit www.jsu.edu.
Application materials include:
• Cover letter that clearly summarizes the candidate's qualifications as a scholar and interest in this position.
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Teaching statement that conveys the candidate's interest in undergraduate/graduate teaching, describe the candidate's ideas or philosophy for teaching, and identifies courses which the candidate could offer.
• Contact information for three potential references.
Review of applications will begin immediately after the posting closes on December 31, 2026. Final candidates are required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. If you have questions you may contact: talentacquisition@jsu.edu.
Clery Notice: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, https://clerycenter.org/policy-resources/the-clery-act/ the Jacksonville State University Police provide information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three calendar years. The JSU Annual Campus Security and Fire Report is available online at: https://www.jsu.edu/police/docs/cleryannualreport.pdf
Equal Employment Opportunity: JSU is an Equal Employment, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.