About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Public Leadership and Administration (PLA) program at UNT Dallas is a nationally recognized graduate program, ranked among the Top 10 Master of Public Administration programs by U.S. News & World Report. Designed to prepare students for impactful leadership roles in public service, the program combines rigorous academic training with hands-on, applied learning experiences.
Students can tailor their education through four specialized concentrations:
• Administrative Leadership
• Nonprofit and Community Leadership
• Public Health Leadership
• Emergency Services Administration
A hallmark of the PLA program is its innovative “community as the classroom” approach, which connects students directly with real-world practitioners and local organizations. Through collaborative projects, students develop practical solutions to pressing challenges facing governments and communities today.
Graduates of the PLA program emerge as skilled, ethical, and forward-thinking leaders equipped to make a meaningful difference in public service.

Position Overview

UNT Dallas invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in the Public Leadership and Administration (PLA) graduate program. We seek a dynamic scholar committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service at a growing urban university dedicated to student success and community engagement.
The ideal candidate will be committed to advancing UNT Dallas’s Classroom to Career initiative—an innovative effort that bridges academic achievement and career readiness. This includes strengthening industry partnerships, embedding experiential learning (such as internships, research, and service learning) into the curriculum, integrating career and character competencies, and fostering AI fluency and essential power skills like communication, adaptability, teamwork, and leadership. The candidate should also support the development of new academic programs aligned with workforce needs and pathways to family-sustaining careers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Affairs, or a closely related field.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness at the graduate level.
• Demonstrated potential for scholarly research and publication.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment that supports academic excellence and equal opportunity for all students.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to teach graduate students in public administration courses such as:

• Public Service & Society
• Data Analytics and Research Methods
• Budgeting & Financial Resources
• Organizational Theory
• Human Resources
• Performance Measurement & Monitoring
• Nonprofit Leadership and Management
• Knowledge of Canvas Learning Management System.
• Ability to teach face to face, online, and hybrid courses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching in NASPAA-accredited programs.
• Professional experience in public or nonprofit sectors.
• Preferred: Experience mentoring graduate students and supervising theses or capstone projects.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

N/A

Job Duties

• Teach a 4/4 course load in the PLA graduate program.
• Conduct and publish scholarly research in public administration, public affairs, or related fields.
• Provide service to the university, profession, and community.
• Advise and mentor graduate students.
• Contribute to curriculum development, program assessment, and online course development.
• Participate in student recruiting, program leadership, and committee service.
• Support community engagement initiatives aligned with the university’s mission.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
  
• Lifting and Moving objects up to 20 pounds.
• Moving self in various positions to perform tasks in tight and confined spaces.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

per academic schedule

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. Applicants should submit:
1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Statement of teaching philosophy
4. Research agenda
5. Contact information for three professional references
Application received by January 15 will receive 1st priority.
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.