How to Apply for an Adjunct Teaching Position

Note: Due to temporary budgetary considerations associated with New York's fiscal crisis, we are not presently able to consider hiring new adjunct faculty. Please check this space periodically for further information.

We frequently receive inquiries from alumni, judges, members of the bar, and others interested in teaching courses at the Law School. Effective September 12, 2008, the hiring of adjunct faculty is governed by a new faculty policy, described below. Individuals interested in applying for adjunct teaching positions at the Law School are requested to read this material carefully and to make applications in writing, in conformity with the procedures outlined here.

Qualifications. Every adjunct professor must be qualified to teach by credentials, experience, and teaching ability. Except in unusual circumstances, no adjunct professor will be hired to teach a course for academic credit who does not have a J.D., M.B.A., or other appropriate academic credentials. Adjunct professors should normally have significant practical experience or a record of scholarship in the subject matter of the courses they teach.

Specific Course. All adjunct professors will be hired to teach a specific course or courses, determined concurrently with the decision to hire. An adjunct professor already employed by the Law School to teach one course will not generally be hired to teach a substantially different course without separate approval as provided by this policy.

Curricular Need. Adjunct faculty are hired primarily to teach courses for which there is an identified curricular need. However, adjuncts may also be retained to teach courses that, although not strictly needed, will nevertheless contribute to the richness of the law school curriculum.

Application Materials. All applicants for adjunct teaching positions should provide:

1. a curriculum vitae;
2. information about any prior law teaching experience;
3. the names and contact information of references, including teaching references, if available;
4. the title of the proposed course;
5. a brief description of the proposed course;
6. a proposed syllabus; and
7. a description of proposed readings and assignments.

The proposed syllabus and reading assignments need not be highly detailed, but should be sufficient to give us a clear idea about the nature of the course, what topics it is likely to cover, and how much work it is likely to involve for students.

Complete applications should be sent by mail to: Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, University at Buffalo Law School, State University of New York, North Campus, 319 O’Brian Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-1100.

Hiring Process. Applications for adjunct teaching positions are forwarded to a faculty committee which reviews the applications and advises the Dean on whether to make the appointment.

Please note that Law School academic schedules are made up considerably in advance. The schedule for any given academic year is typically finalized some time during the preceding January or February, and tentative schedules are often projected two or three years ahead. It is therefore unlikely that newly approved courses can be offered in the same academic year in which they are approved.