POOL - Instructor - Journalism

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 55,104 - 82,656; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications seeks applications from individuals interested in part-time instructor roles on the Lawrence campus for undergraduate and graduate courses across media writing, data literacy, journalism, media production, sports media, marketing communications and public relations.

Instructors hold temporary instructional faculty appointments, renewals depend on unit needs, funding, and performance, not lasting beyond two

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in the subject area or a closely related field.
• Bachelor's degree in the discipline with significant professional experience related to the subject taught.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in identified subject areas.
• Develop and manage syllabi, create lectures and assignments, and grade student work with office hours.

Skills

Teaching experience

Course development

Curriculum design

Education

Master's degree + 2 years related experience

Bachelor's degree in discipline + 5 years relevant experience

Bachelor's degree in any discipline + 10 years relevant experience

PhD/JD/MD or other post-graduate doctoral degree + 2 years related experience

Master's degree + 7 years in media with publications

Job description

Position Overview

The University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications seeks applications from people interested in being part‑time Instructors on the Lawrence campus for undergraduate and graduate level courses. Instructors teach in a variety of areas, including media writing, data and media literacy, journalism, media production, sports media, marketing communications and public relations.

Instructor is a temporary instructional faculty position not eligible for tenure or promotion in rank. Instructors are placed in single term/semester appointments, with renewal based upon unit needs and funding as well as performance that meets expectations, not to exceed two continuous semesters.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT. UAKU is the exclusive representative. As the State of Kansas is a right‑to‑work state, you have the right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Idaho, Minnesota, and Delaware. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

The successful candidate must have the appropriate authorization to work in the U.S. before employment begins.

Job Description

100% Instructional Duties

• As an instructor for the university, primary duties and responsibilties include: teaching in a specific field, developing course materials, developing and managing syllabi, creating lectures and assignments, grading student work and holding student office hours.
• All instructors are expected to collaborate with colleagues, be current in the field, and are required to adhere to departmental, school/college and university policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

Undergraduate Level Courses:

1. Master's degree and two years professional experience related to the subject to be taught OR a Bachelor's Degree in the discipline & 5 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor's Degree in any discipline & 10 years of relevant experience. Relevant experience includes experience in relevant jobs in the media, creative, or representation industry with publications or work products demonstrating:

• Executive or management experience, and/or
• Research, analysis and creative experience, and/or Preferred Qualifications
• Supervisory experience, and/or
• A documented record of successful teaching at the post‑secondary level.

Graduate Level Courses:

1. PhD, JD, MD or other post‑graduate doctoral degree, and two years of professional experience related to the subject or scholarly research or creative work suitable to the subject taught OR
2. Those without a PhD, JD, MD or other post‑graduate doctoral degree may be certified to work with a PhD student on an ad‑hoc basis. Such instructors shall have at least a Master's degree and 7 years of relevant experience and demonstrated scholarly research credentials including:

• Published academic or scholarly articles, books or equivalent material, and/or
• Substantial creative products demonstrating work at the national or international level, and/or
• A documented record of successful teaching at the graduate level.

Digital and Integrated Marketing Communications - Graduate Level Courses:

1. PhD, JD, MD, MFA or other post‑graduate doctoral degree, and two years of professional experience related to the subject or scholarly research or creative work suitable to the subject taught OR
2. Those with a relevant Master's degree may be certified to teach in the DIMC Program if they have at least 7 years' service in the media, creative or representative profession with publications or work products demonstrating:

• Executive or management experience, and/or
• Research, analysis and creative experience, and/or
• Supervisory experience, and/or
• A documented record of successful teaching at the post‑secondary level

Exceptions to these requirements are possible but must be approved individually by the Dean and the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.

Contact Information to Applicants

Lisa McLendon
[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

Commensurate with Experience

Application Review Begins

Wednesday July 29, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Friday August 18, 2028