About this role
Assistant Professor of Practice – National Security & Legal Studies
Position Description: The Honors College at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month Assistant Professor of Practice in National Security and Legal Studies to begin January 1, 2027.
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About the University: Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students.Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas — hard work, grit and authenticity — the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.
About the College: The Honors College at Texas Tech University is a nationally ranked home to nearly 2,400 students who have the unique advantage of experiencing an intellectually and socially vibrant environment while having access to the vast resources of a Tier 1 Carnegie Research university. All students who are admitted to Texas Tech and the Honors College also enroll in a disciplinary college and pursue one or more of the 150+ available majors and concentrations, including one major housed within the Honors College, Honors Sciences & the Humanities. The TTU Honors College is anchored by a full-time faculty who pursue scholarship in a variety of fields, but who share a commitment to high-quality pedagogy, interdisciplinarity, and educating the whole person, along with a steadfast responsibility to uphold the four core values of knowledge, courage, integrity, and service.
As the #2-ranked Honors college or program in the State of Texas, the Honors College at Texas Tech offers the only day-1 paid undergraduate research program in the state, the only Honors externship program in the state, and the leading Honors Resilience and Retention (R&R) Advising program nationwide. In addition, Honors students have access to a multitude of pathway programs (to medical or other professional schools) and scholarship funds, as well as a robust First-Year Experience program and the Honors Thesis program.
About the Department/School/Area: The Texas Tech University Honors College is a nationally recognized program serving nearly 2,400 students and providing the benefits of a close-knit, intellectually engaging community within a Tier 1 Carnegie Research university. Honors students pursue degrees across more than 150 majors while benefiting from dedicated faculty committed to interdisciplinary learning, outstanding teaching, and the college's core values of knowledge, courage, integrity, and service. Ranked among the top honors programs in Texas, the Honors College offers distinctive opportunities including the state's only day-one paid undergraduate research program, the only honors externship program, and a nationally recognized Resilience and Retention Advising program. Students also have access to specialized pathways to professional schools, competitive scholarships, a robust First-Year Experience program, and the Honors Thesis program, all designed to support academic excellence, leadership development, and student success.
Major/Essential Functions: At Texas Tech University, the Professor of Practice title is used to recruit individuals with exceptional backgrounds and achievements in academic, business, government, or other professional practice. Primary responsibilities normally will be to teach in an area of expertise, mentor students in professional and career preparation, and liaise with professional contacts and entities on behalf of the department or program.
In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with a breadth of student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.
As a faculty member in the Honors College, you will be expected to: • Contribute to the teaching mission of the College by teaching eight Honors courses per academic year (generally a 4/4 load), including two Honors sections each semester of POLS 2306: Texas Politics and Topics, and developing curriculum; • Mentor Honors students in scholarly and professional activities; and • Provide service to the college, university, and your academic community.
Faculty Qualifications: • Master's degree and at least 18 graduate hours complete in a discipline relevant to the study and teaching of national security, law, and/or legal studies; • Significant experience teaching related courses at the college or university level (including assignments as instructor of record while a graduate student or as a part-time instructor). • Demonstrated success as a classroom teacher (through strong teaching evaluations, teaching awards, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications: In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply: • Terminal degree (Ph.D. or JD) in a discipline relevant to the study and teaching of national security, law, and/or legal studies; • Demonstrated experience in an Honors environment as faculty, staff, or student. • Significant professional experience in law or public policy. • Specific experience mentoring undergraduate students in research or professional practice.
Safety Information: Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.
Pay Statement: Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.
EEO Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.