Job Description
The Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science is looking to hire a full-time instructor of Political Science (teaching political science and legal studies courses) on annual international assignment for Fort Hays State University (FHSU) stationed at Shenyang Normal University (SNU) in Liaoning Province, China, with opportunity for annual renewal. Each FHSU faculty position in China is an annual assignment as a non-tenure-track instructor subject to annual review, with the possibility of continuation.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. A master’s degree with 18 or more graduate credit hours in Political Science, Legal Studies, Judicial Politics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
2. Minimum of 24 months full-time teaching experience.
3. Successful candidates must be eligible to legally work in the United States and be able to apply for and receive a Z visa, residence permit, and work permit in China.
4. Ability to meet employment regulations to work legally in China with a Chinese work visa, including age restrictions (currently, no work visas are being issued to foreigners over the age of 60 except in extraordinary circumstances), background check restrictions (applicants with DUI/DWI or other such infractions are not issued a work permit), various health history requirements, and education authentication with an original university diploma, among other documents. Work visas are not issued to foreign applicants who cannot provide authentication and proof of educational background.
FHSU will outline these processes and assist in acquiring and paying for these documents.
Preferred Qualifications:
5. Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or J.D.) from an accredited institution in Political Science, Law, Judicial Politics, or a closely related field.
6. One to three years’ experience in teaching pre-law/legal studies courses.
7. Familiarity with teaching ESL/EFL students and international students, especially Chinese students.
8. Prior experience working abroad.
9. Strong teaching, communication, and cross-cultural skills.
10. Experience using of Learning Management Systems (Blackboard is our LMS in China).
Rank: Instructor (master’s degree) or Assistant Professor (doctorate)
Appointment Date: 2026-2027 Academic Year
Application Deadline: Priority deadline for review is December 1, 2025.
Salary: The best current, good faith estimate of the salary for the position as Assistant Professor is $53,516 and as an Instructor is $50,516, which is based on data from the College and University Professional Association (CUPA). These amounts are subject to change.
Benefits: Benefits Provided by Fort Hays State University:
11. Transportation to China to begin the semester.
12. $3000 stipend for return travel on the faculty member’s own schedule at the end of the academic year.
13. $1700 food stipend to help cover some of the meal expenses.
14. Health, retirement, and associated benefits package.
15. $200 one-time payment for costs associated with obtaining work permits.
16. The is available to cross-border faculty. Faculty Development is defined as any activity that encourages faculty to acquire knowledge, skills, techniques, and attitudes to provide quality teaching and develop research/scholarly/creative activity and effective service at Fort Hays State University. All types of FHSU faculty, including international faculty teaching abroad, are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Faculty Development Fund.
To review our competitive benefit package, please visit .
Additional Benefits Provided by Shenyang Normal University:
17. Housing is provided on the SNU campus; furnishings include a kitchen, flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. Some utilities are covered; a stipend is provided for Internet access.
18. Bathrooms include Western-style toilets and a washing machine. Spouses and children are allowed to live with FHSU faculty members stationed at SNU.
19. Holidays as stipulated by the laws of China.
20. Gym, indoor pool, spa, and other similar fitness facilities available for a fee.
21. Exposure to a diverse international community of faculty, students, and visitors.
These benefits are subject to change by SNU but have been in place for many years.
Responsibilities: This position entails teaching four sections (up to 45 students in each section) per semester of pre-law/legal studies and political science courses taught by the Political Science Program. We anticipate teaching the following courses at SNU:
22. Orientation to Political Science
23. Foundations of Political Science
24. Political Philosophy/Theory
25. Introduction to Public Policy
26. Introduction to the Law
27. Legal Research Methods
28. Legal Advocacy
29. Government Powers & Constraints
Other duties include department and university service (90% Teaching; 10% Service). After training in Hays, the faculty member will teach face-to-face classes for FHSU in Shenyang, China. The faculty member will live on campus among other FHSU international faculty. All courses will be delivered in English.
Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.
Required Application Documents:
30. Cover letter
31. Curriculum vitae (CV)
32. Contact information for three professional references
Applicant documents must be submitted as one PDF.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Dr. Wendy Rohleder-Sook, Chair, Department of Communication Studies, Law, & Political Science
785-628-4467
About the Department/Program:
The Political Science Program is housed in the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science. The Program offers two baccalaureate degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and four graduate-level concentrations for the Master of Liberal Arts degree in Global Studies, Political Leadership and Public Service, Public Administration, and Political Science. All undergraduate credentials are available on-campus and online, and graduate credentials are available online. We continue to develop our Program for degree offerings for our cross-border partnerships in China, Cambodia, and Africa.
Subfields in law, public administration/public policy, American politics, political theory, international relations/comparative politics, and democratic engagement provide students with diverse opportunities to focus their studies. The Program’s theoretical coursework, hands-on activities, and real-world experiences prepare students to enter professional careers, law school, or graduate study in a variety of academic disciplines. Disciplinary connections to units like the Docking Institute of Public Affairs, Civic Learning and Engagement, the Midwest Model United Nations Program, the American Democracy Project, the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-Based Violence, and various campus learning and scholarship opportunities create active and applied learning experiences for our students.
About the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
The is the heart of the University, offering a wide array of liberal-arts programs to expand intellectual horizons and prepare students for a profession and for life. We prepare students to be critical, thoughtful, and analytical, to assume a place in society where these skills are needed most. Our undergraduate and graduate programs help students to become better artists, thinkers, writers, and speakers.
FHSU’s China Partnerships Overview:
In 2000, FHSU became one of the earliest universities approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education to offer dual Western/Chinese degrees in China. Currently, the institutions offer several dual bachelor's degree options. All instruction is conducted in English, so while familiarity with Chinese is not required, it is helpful. In addition, FHSU faculty in China enjoy on-the-ground access to research opportunities and other scholarly activities, including FHSU’s online research databases. Over the years, faculty members have developed unique quantitative and qualitative data sets while working in China and have been productive scholars during their employment.
About the Shenyang Normal University Community:
Shenyang is the capital city of Liaoning Province and hosts a population of approximately 8.5 million people. Shenyang offers numerous fascinating cultural activities connected by a modern subway system. As the transport hub of Northeast China, Shenyang is served by air, rail, a two-line north/south and east/west subway system, an extensive network of streets and expressways, and bus service throughout the city. A new tram network system offers inexpensive subway-to-airport transportation. SNU is a Tier-2 public university with an expansive, beautiful campus and affords a tranquil, independent working environment. FHSU has a long-standing, productive relationship with SNU.
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.