The Institution 

St. John’s established in 1870 and has two New York City campuses and international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations. 

Commitment to Inclusion 

A dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the heart of our mission.  As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community.  We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution.  As noted in our Vision Statement, our graduates will excel in the competencies and values required for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.   

Adjunct Faculty in Art History

Division/Department Information 

The MA Museum Administration program in the Department of Art and Design at St. John’s University invites applications for an adjunct professor to teach one of our most popular elective courses, “The Museum as Learning Environment,” in the spring 2026 semester. This face-to-face course is offered one evening per week from 5:00-7:00 pm at either our Queens campus (1000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439) or at our Manhattan campus (101 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003)—whichever is most convenient to the schedule/commute of the person we hire for this position. The course is offered every other spring, so this hire will likely be asked to teach the program in future years, if they are interested, presuming our students find the course fulfills the program’s/the student’s learning goals. Founded in 2015, the 36-credit MA Museum Administration degree combines academic rigor and hands-on practical experience to a small but group of top notch students, who enter the program with a wide range of academic backgrounds as top undergraduates from around the country—some of whom already have museum experience as well as the goal of obtaining a position in the field of museum education and interpretation. Students from our partner programs, the MA Public History and the MLS Library Information Sciences, sometimes enroll in this course as well.  

Responsibilities 

“The Museum as Learning Environment” introduces students to the wide panoply of knowledge, expertise, and job opportunities available and applied in different Museum Education departments. This class encompasses alerting students to the way that different museum education departments are structured and providing relevant readings and assignments that educate students in the range of responsibilities performed by museum educators at various levels, ranging from in-gallery teaching; past and current interpretative methodologies used by museum educators;  academic and other programming; and curriculum creation/delivery to school teachers and students at every level from K-12 to college, graduate students, families, groups, and life-long learners.  

The adjunct faculty teaching “The Museum as Learning Environment” is responsible for creating the course syllabus and is encouraged to build in visits/assignments that require students to visit museums, including behind-the-scenes visits to museum education departments. With the advanced permission of the program director, (who also oversees the budget available for honoraria),  the instructor of this course may invite several guest lecturers/colleagues from the field to speak in the classroom (or via ZOOM) about their jobs and career paths and also answer students questions about current practices at the cutting edge of the field, including those concerning new uses of technology; ethical questions at the forefront of the field; and trajectories of career advancement among other topics  

Qualifications  

The ideal candidates will hold a master's degree or a Ph.D. and have demonstrated teaching experience at the graduate level. Those who work/have worked in museum education departments will be prioritized in our review process.  

Application Process 

Submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and a teaching statement and/or sample syllabi.  

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. I understand that any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education.