Assistant Professor of Journalism

Opt For Healthy Living; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 69,426 - 147,579; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, and dental plans

Child-care access

Defined-benefit retirement

Job summary

Opt For Healthy Living at California State University, Fullerton seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Journalism starting August 2027. Your role includes teaching core and elective journalism courses while mentoring students in the Daily Titan newsroom.

Ideal candidates hold a Ph.D. and have a track record of teaching excellence and journalism experience. Benefits include a comprehensive package and various opportunities for professional development.

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.
• Ability to teach digital news reporting, writing, and ethics courses.

Responsibilities

• Teach core and elective courses within journalism concentration.
• Mentor students in the Daily Titan news capstone course.
• Conduct impactful research and scholarship in journalism.

Skills

Teaching excellence

Journalism experience

Effective communication

Collaborative work

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in mass communications or journalism

Job description

Apply now Job no: 559310
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Fullerton
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Communications/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.

Position

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

NOTE: Representatives from the Department of Communications will be at the 2026 AEJMC Conference in August. If you will be attending the conference, please indicate that in your cover letter.

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, and other applicable state and federal anti‑discrimination laws. 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 apply, visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/workforce/careers.html, choose full‑time faculty, search for the position 559310 and provide the following required materials:

• Cover letter responding to the required qualifications
• Teaching statement
• Graduate transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient for initial review)
• Statement on commitment to inclusive excellence (no more than 500 words)
• A list of three references with relevant contact information
• Additional materials may be requested later in the search process

Please direct all questions about the position to the search committee chair, Frank Russell, at [e-mail] or call 657-278-1066.

Application Deadline

All application materials must be received by October 1, 2026. The anticipated appointment date is August 16, 2027.

Compensation

The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224 monthly ($6,851 to $6,985 per month anticipated). Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Summer research grants, moving expenses, start‑up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.

Benefits

An excellent comprehensive benefits package includes health, vision, and dental plans; spouse, domestic partner, and dependent fee‑waiver; access to campus child‑care; and a defined‑benefit retirement through the state system and optional tax‑sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits, visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.

Employment Policies

At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to work in the United States. The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within California. Employees must be able to accept on‑campus instruction, be assigned to campus, and come to campus when needed. The CSU prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States.

Applicants will be required to disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last seven years after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

All candidates must complete required background checks. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self‑disclose.

Advertised

Jun 24 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: