Adjunct Instructor, Communication Arts & Sciences

Dominican University; River Forest (IL); Hybrid; USD 1,800 - 3,400; Part time

Job summary

A Catholic teaching university in River Forest is seeking part-time adjunct faculty members to teach various Communication Arts courses during Summer 2025-26 and the 2026-27 school year. Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Communication or a related field and demonstrate expertise in their subject area. Responsibilities include course instruction, material preparation, and student communication. This role offers flexible teaching modalities, including online options. Join a vibrant academic community committed to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Communication or related field.
• Demonstrated academic or professional expertise appropriate to the course subject matter.

Responsibilities

• Deliver course instruction consistent with the approved course syllabus.
• Prepare course materials and assessments appropriate to the discipline.
• Administer course evaluations.
• Provide reasonable availability to students, including scheduled office hours.
• Respond to student communication within a reasonable timeframe.
• Administer course evaluations.
• Follow university academic policies and accommodation procedures.
• Coordinate with the Program Chair regarding course delivery and academic matters.
• Perform other duties as requested by supervisor.

Skills

Expertise in Communication

Teaching Skills

Experience with Learning Management Systems

Assessment Design

Education

Master's degree in Communication or related field

Tools

Canvas

Job description

Department: Communication Arts and Sciences

Reports To: Program Chair

Position Summary

The Communication Arts and Science program at Dominican University is seeking part-time adjunct faculty members to teach sections of the following classes (descriptions below) during Summer 2025-26 and the 2026-27 school year (modalities to be determined). Adjunct faculty are contracted on a course-by-course basis and are responsible for instructional delivery and student learning for assigned course sections.

Courses may be offered in-person and/or online at the River Forest and Pilsen campuses.

• CAS 200 Business and Professional Speaking (May be offered on River Forest and/or Pilsen campuses)
• CAS 203 Business and Professional Communication for the Health Fields
• CAS 222 Media and Society
• CAS 232 Corporate Communication
• CAS 311 Health Care Communication
• CAS 320 Organizational Communication
• CAS 321 Intercultural Communication
• CAS 363 Integrated Marketing Communication
• CAS Film classes focused on one or more of the following: nation/nationalism; identities; and/or focused on recent filmmakers’ work

For these courses, the instructor should have knowledge and experience with the subject matter in academic, workplace, and global contexts. The days, times, and modalities of course offerings will be negotiated with successful candidates within the confines of the program’s scheduling criteria.

Duties/Responsibilities

Adjunct faculty responsibilities are limited to instructional duties related to assigned courses:

• Deliver course instruction consistent with the approved course syllabus and learning outcomes,
• Prepare course materials and assessments appropriate to the discipline,
• Submit grades and required academic records accurately and on time,
• Provide reasonable availability to students, including scheduled office hours,
• Respond to student communication within a reasonable timeframe,
• Administer course evaluations,
• Follow university academic policies and accommodation procedures,
• Coordinate with the Program Chair regarding course delivery and academic matters,
• Perform other duties as requested by supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Communication or related field
• Demonstrated academic or professional expertise appropriate to the course subject matter

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using a learning management system (Canvas preferred),
• Relevant professional or applied experience in the field.

Physical Demands

• Ability to spend long durations of the workday sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Salary and FLSA Status

• Adjunct faculty are compensated on a per-course basis.
• Actual compensation is determined based on credentials, experience, course level, and credit hours.
• FLSA Status: Exempt, Part-Time (Adjunct Faculty)

Application Materials

• Applicants should submit:
• Cover letter identifying courses of interest
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• List of professional references

Official transcript required of finalists. Employment contingent upon successful background check.

About Dominican University

Dominican University is a Catholic, comprehensive teaching university located in River Forest, a suburb of Chicago, with an additional campus in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Dominican University offers associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is highly regarded for its academic rigor, thoughtful accompaniment of students, intentional affordability, and values-based, relationship-centered learning environment.

Dominican currently enrolls over 3,800 students, including 2,690 undergraduates and 1,114 graduate students. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of undergraduate students identify as Latinx, 5% as Black or African American, and 3% as Asian. Under-represented minority students comprise 77% of the undergraduate enrollment and 38% of the graduate enrollment. Over 90 percent of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. Nearly half of all undergraduates are first-generation college students; over half are federal Pell Grant recipients, illustrating their families’ level of income; and 58% are eligible for low-income MAP grants from the State of Illinois.

Recognized since 2011 as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, Dominican is committed to expanding and enhancing educational opportunities for Latinx students and all students from historically underrepresented groups. For more information, visit www.dom.edu.

Expectations for all Dominican Employees:

To support the University's mission of preparing students to pursue truth, give compassionate service, and participate in the creation of a more just and humane world, engage in university service work that promotes collaboration and community building. This includes participating in organizational initiatives, supporting campus events, contributing to community outreach, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment through involvement in various staff-driven activities and groups.

Institutional Statement

Dominican University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.