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Apply to be an Instructor

Cornell Faculty & Lecturers, and all Returning Instructors: Please contact Deputy Director, Keisha Burrow.

New Instructors (Graduate Students): Please follow the instructions below to begin the application process.

Eligibility: Cornell doctoral students who have passed their ‘A’ exams are considered eligible to apply to teach a course in the prisons. We are able to subsidize a finite number of doctoral candidates as instructors each semester, and selected pairs of law students may receive course credit for co-teaching in the CPEP law teaching practicum. Law students who are interested in this option should contact Julia Mizutani, Adjunct Professor of Law.  Feel free to contact our office to learn about the selection process and current curricular needs.  

Apply to be an Instructor:

Priority consideration for spring 2027 teaching will be given to applications received by September 11, 2026 for spring ’27 teaching.  Offers of placement are generally extended as soon as a qualified instructor is found, so we recommend applying early.

Spring ’27 semester dates:  January 19 – May 14

Please complete the application form to apply as a graduate instructor, clarifying which semester(s) you are applying for:

  • Instructor Course Proposal & Application
    • Please submit a CV, cover letter (statement of interest), and a recent transcript. For the cover letter, we are especially interested if you would respond to these two questions: “What draws you to teaching in this context? What prepares you to be effective here?”
    After a review of your application, a program director may invite you to an interview.

    Instructor’s Manual: For a broad introduction to the experience of serving as an instructor for the program, see the following instructors’ manual: