Assistant Professor of Journalism

Assistant Professor of Journalism

The Department of Communications at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in journalism, with an appointment beginning in August 2027. This is your opportunity to bring your passion and expertise to a dynamic, future-oriented faculty where you will directly impact nearly 1,500 diverse students across our premier mass communications programs. Situated in the second-largest media market in the United States, CSUF offers an unparalleled ecosystem for collaboration and innovation—complete with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, an elite internship center, award-winning student media, and our signature annual COMM Week. If you are eager to lead impactful scholarship, mentor driven storytellers, and thrive within a deeply supportive academic community, we welcome your application to join us in shaping the future of journalism.

In this role, you will teach core and elective courses within our journalism concentration, bringing real-world insights into the classroom. Additionally, you will have the unique opportunity to transition into a mentorship role as the advisor to the Daily Titan, CSUF's editorially independent, student-run multi-platform newsroom. Your instructional portfolio will include essential courses such as digital news reporting and writing, the principles and ethics of journalism, and the Daily Titan news capstone.

You will have the opportunity to advance the field through impactful research, scholarship, or creative work in journalism and mass communication, aligned with our tenure milestones. Beyond the classroom, you'll become an integral part of our vibrant campus community—mentoring students, helping shape the future of our department, and collaborating across the wider university and academic discipline. To support our diverse student body, candidates should also expect to teach evening and graduate-level courses occasionally.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in mass communications, journalism, or a related field by time of appointment
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching.
• Demonstrated journalism experience.
• Ability to teach the Daily Titan news capstone course and either digital news reporting and writing or principles and ethics of journalism.
• Ability to balance teaching, conducting scholarship and/or creative activities, and working collaboratively with colleagues on department and university service activities.
• Ability to interact effectively orally and in writing with a wide and culturally diverse range of students and colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of successful college-level teaching.
• Evidence of scholarly research or creative accomplishments in journalism or related fields.
• News industry and/or college news media advising experience.
• Experience with and ability to incorporate emerging communications technologies and tools, such as AI and data visualization, into teaching, news media advising, scholarship, and/or creative activities.
• Ability to contribute to accreditation self-study, curriculum development, and assessment of student learning.
• Evidence of a professional network, including participation in industry and/or academic associations in journalism and mass communications.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. CSUF complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Application

A complete online application must be received by electronic submission to be considered. To apply, please visit choose full-time faculty, search for the position 559310 and provide the following required materials:

• cover letter in which you respond to the required qualifications
• curriculum vitae
• research statement
• teaching statement
• Graduate Transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient for initial review)
• candidate statement on commitment to inclusive excellence (no more than 500 words):
• a list of three references with relevant contact information

Compensation

The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224 monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $6,851 to $6,985 per month.

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work.

Summer research grants, moving expenses, start-up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.