Visiting Assistant Professor - Political Science at College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, Order of Saint Benedict, MN

About the Department

The Political Science Department at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University invites applications for a full-time, one-year term position with the possibility of renewal starting August 2026.

Review of applications will begin October 15 and continue until the position is filled.

Please note, this position is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship (i.e., H-1B or Green Card sponsorship). Applicants must possess the required authorization to work in the U.S. at the time of hire.

Why Join Us?

 The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Remission for Eligible Dependents
• Employer Contributions to a Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program with access to free or discounted counseling, legal guidance, financial coaching, and more

Join a committed team dedicated to safety, community, and service in a supportive and values-driven work environment.

To learn more about our benefits, visit mycsbsju.edu/jobs.

DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Our supportive and collaborative political science department is dedicated to encouraging our students to maintain high academic expectations and value civic engagement. We pride ourselves in providing our students with opportunities to engage with local, state, national, and international organizations and governments. We offer pre-law advising and have an impressive law school admittance record. Our competitive mock trial team often wins awards for their commitment to their roles and academic strengths, and their faculty advisor has a talented group of students to mentor. All political science majors take part in relevant experiences that move them beyond the classroom. As a department, we work to guide them to ensure they align these opportunities with their interests. These range from local to international opportunities and even include our highly praised and well-connected Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program. Our combined efforts ensure students are prepared to lead successful lives and careers.

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS

The College of Saint Benedict (CSB), a liberal arts college for women, and Saint John's University (SJU), a liberal arts college for men, are located in the central lakes area of Minnesota, surrounded by more than 3,000 acres of pristine forests, prairies, and lakes. The campuses are minutes away from St. Cloud, an increasingly diverse regional center with a population of over 100,000, and 70 miles from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Some CSB/SJU faculty and staff choose to reside locally, while others commute from the Twin Cities. Both St. Cloud and the Twin Cities offer a wide range of fine arts, cultural, dining, recreational, and sporting opportunities.

CSB/SJU are Catholic colleges in the Benedictine tradition enlivened by values of community, hospitality, stewardship, and justice. The schools are dedicated to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons. Students, staff and faculty from many diverse belief systems and backgrounds collectively bring a rich dimension to the academic, cultural, and religious experience at CSB/SJU. We welcome faculty who devote themselves with passion and integrity to their disciplines and to a transformative education of their students. Please view our brochure regarding Higher Education in the Catholic and Benedictine Tradition.

With a total enrollment of approximately 2,900 students, faculty members develop relationships with students in small classroom settings and have opportunities to work closely with students on research projects, experiential learning experiences, and study abroad programs. Recent initiatives to create a dynamic general education curriculum and to develop plans for a new teaching and learning center demonstrate strong institutional support for faculty development.

Institutional Inclusion Visioning Statement

The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems. Our commitment to an inclusive environment will be incorporated into all decision-making processes. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.

CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program (click the benefits tab above the position summary section to view more information). For further information regarding our institutions, visit CSBSJU.

The posted wage represents CSB and SJU's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon several factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills, and may fall outside of the range indicated.

Position Duties

Teaching responsibilities for this position include teaching upper- and lower-level undergraduate public law classes with the opportunity to also teach introductory course work and research methodology, depending on the candidate. The candidate will be responsible for teaching three 4-credit courses per semester plus contributing to departmental-level service and student advising.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in political science, or equivalent, an ABD will be considered
• Expertise in Public Law including Constitutional Law and Politics, Civil Rights & Civil Liberties, Judicial Politics, Judicial Process, and Research Methodology
• Evidence of the ability to be an effective teacher
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience teaching undergraduate research methodology course
• Ability to advise pre-law students on law school applications, personal statements, LSAT preparation, and career planning
• Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with external internship partners
• Ability to mentor and coach mock trial team

Other Qualifications

Applications are accepted online by clicking on "Apply" above. Applicants are asked to provide the following materials:

• Curriculum vitae.
• A letter of application which addresses how the applicant's education, teaching interests, and teaching and/or work experience meet the position qualifications.
• A statement of teaching philosophy, including how you will integrate diversity and support inclusion for all students in the classroom and use innovative/active-learning pedagogies.
• Unofficial copies of transcripts; official copy required upon hire.
• Names and contact information of three references.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness, for example: student course surveys, examples of learning outcomes, peer or student testimonials, or other materials.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (320) 363-5500 or [email protected].

It is the policy of CSB and SJU to conduct a pre-employment background check. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check. 

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employers.