Public Administration Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

About Us
For more than 60 years, Kennesaw State University has been known for its entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community. A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State is located just north of Atlanta and combines a suburban setting on two metro-Atlanta campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. As one of Georgia's largest universities, Kennesaw State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to over 50,000 students. Our high-impact research and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and across the globe. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2) committed to becoming a world-class academic institution positioned to broaden its academic and research missions and expand its scope on a local, regional, and national level.
Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. As part of the University System of Georgia , Kennesaw State exemplifies the power and promise of a student-centered, research-driven university. In addition, Kennesaw State supports the University of Georgia's core values of accountability, excellence, integrity, and respect. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Kennesaw State is launching a new strategic plan in 2024-2025. For more information, visit https://www.kennesaw.edu/ .
Location
Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.
Department Information
The School of Government and International Affairs prepares students to be engaged citizens and high-performing professionals with the skills and knowledge to address vital local, regional, national, and international challenges through relevant curricula with experiential learning, community involvement, and global engagement. Through our various undergraduate and graduate programs and outreach activities, the faculty and students work together to engage in independent scholarship and professional development in areas such as domestic and international politics and public administration.
With more than 400 full-time faculty and 8,100 degree-seeking students, the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities & Social Sciences is dedicated to pioneering workforce readiness in the humanities and social sciences. By staying true to our Liberal Arts values and integrating practical knowledge and experiential learning into our curriculum, we empower our students to become responsible citizens ready for the demands of the modern workplace. The home of three schools and eight departments, the College offers more than 80 graduate and undergraduate programs of study in both traditional and interdisciplinary fields. These programs enable students to develop leadership, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, as well as a strong sense of civic engagement.
The College is committed to the success of our students, faculty, staff and communities. We seek candidates whose experience has prepared them to fulfill that commitment and engage our students, partners, and stakeholders effectively.
Job Summary
Kennesaw State University is now accepting applications for a full-time, tenured faculty position as Associate Professor or Professor of Public Administration and Director of the Master of Public Administration program in the School of Government and International Affairs with a preferred start date of August 2026. This is a nine-month contracted position with summer stipend for administrative work available, contingent on funding. This position is for work to be performed in the state of Georgia.
Responsibilities

• Serving as Faculty Director of the NASPAA-accredited MPA program.
• Maintaining the program's NASPAA accreditation, including coordination of annual reporting, reaccreditation, and re-affirmation processes.
• Growing the MPA program.
• Maintaining an active research agenda and sharing research with relevant external audiences.
• Promoting the pursuit of internal and external funding by faculty, including federal grants.
• Teaching graduate courses in the program, as well as undergraduate courses in the School of Government and International Affairs (as needed).
• Teaching in a variety of modalities, including face-to-face, hybrid, and online.
• Maintaining program outreach and coordination with internal and external partners.
• Maintaining a student advisement regimen.
• Recruiting students and overseeing admissions in consultation with the admissions committee.
• Overseeing alumni network.
• Representing the program on the Graduate Council and in other assemblies.

Teaching assignments will be based on earned degrees and SACSCOC Faculty Credentials Guidelines.
Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree, or the foreign equivalent, in public administration or a closely related field is required at the time of hire.
• Strong record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with an appointment at rank of Associate Professor or Professor with tenure.
• Demonstrated experience teaching graduate-level public administration courses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Administrative experience serving as MPA director/faculty coordinator, associate director, administrative officer, or chair of a unit.
• Demonstrated experience of involvement with NASPAA accreditation processes.
• Experience growing graduate-level degree programs.
• Experience with administration of online courses/course pathways.
• Demonstrated record of receipt of internal and/or extramural grant-funding, including federal grant funding.
• Ability to teach and/or experience in teaching public policy, state and local government, and/or non-profit management.
• Experience mentoring and supporting faculty research, creative activities, and career development.
• Record of commitment to service and engagement.

Required Documents to Attach

1. CV
2. Cover letter that addresses the requirements noted above
3. Vision Statement for the Position (Upload as Additional Documents)
4. Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts and Official International Course-by-Course Evaluations Due Upon Hire)
5. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Apply Before Date
Review of applications will begin immediately. For full consideration, please apply by February 13, 2026.
Contact Information
For questions about this faculty opening, please contact Dr. Sarah Young, shinkely@kennesaw.edu .
For technical support or assistance completing a job application, please contact the Shared Services Center at (877) 251-2644 or support@usg.edu .
For questions about a specific job posting at Kennesaw State University, please contact the search chair listed under the contact information section on each posting. For general questions about faculty jobs please email facultyjobs@kennesaw.edu .
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .
Equal Employment Opportunity
Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.
For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.
Background Check
Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.
All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, preemployment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials. https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf