Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Journalism Professor

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a passionate and experienced Journalism Professor to join our vibrant academic community. The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking educator and/or scholar dedicated to preparing students for the evolving media landscape. This role involves teaching a range of journalism courses, maintaining an active research or creative agenda, advising students, and contributing to the intellectual life of the department and university. You will be instrumental in shaping our curriculum, fostering critical thinking, and equipping students with the ethical frameworks and practical skills necessary for a successful career in journalism and communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Experienced Journalist, Reporter, or Editor with a distinguished professional portfolio.
Adjunct Professor or Visiting Assistant Professor of Journalism.
Postdoctoral Fellow in Media Studies, Communication, or a related field.

Advancement To:

Department Chair or Head of Journalism Program.
Associate Dean or Dean of the School of Communication/Journalism.
Tenured, Full Professor with a focus on advanced research and university leadership.

Lateral Moves:

Media Consultant or Strategist for news organizations.
Director of a University Press or scholarly publication.
Senior Fellow or Researcher at a media-focused think tank.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and deliver engaging and rigorous undergraduate and graduate courses in journalism, potentially including news writing, investigative reporting, data journalism, multimedia production, media law and ethics, and feature writing.
Develop and update course syllabi, lesson plans, and instructional materials to reflect current industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
Maintain a consistent and impactful program of scholarly research, creative activity, or professional work that results in peer-reviewed publications, national conference presentations, or other recognized forms of dissemination.
Actively seek and secure external funding through grants and fellowships to support research initiatives and creative projects.
Provide dedicated academic advising and career mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students, guiding them on course selection, internships, and job placement.
Supervise student-led media operations, such as the campus newspaper, digital news site, or broadcast station, providing editorial guidance and operational oversight.
Serve actively on departmental, college, and university-level committees, contributing to curriculum development, faculty governance, and strategic planning.
Assess student learning outcomes through a variety of methods, including exams, projects, portfolios, and written assignments, providing constructive and timely feedback.
Hold regular office hours to provide one-on-one support and academic guidance to students outside of scheduled class time.
Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with advancements in journalistic practice, pedagogy, and communication technology.
Teach courses in various formats, including face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online, utilizing the university's learning management system effectively.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with professional media organizations, editors, and journalists to create internship and networking opportunities for students.
Contribute to a collegial and inclusive department culture that values diversity, equity, and intellectual curiosity among faculty and students.
Direct graduate student research, serving on thesis or dissertation committees and guiding students through their capstone projects.
Represent the department and university at academic conferences, professional industry events, and community functions.

Secondary Functions

Participate in student recruitment, admissions, and outreach events for the journalism program.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams on cross-departmental teaching and research initiatives.
Assist in the management and maintenance of journalism-specific facilities, such as computer labs, broadcast studios, and equipment inventories.
Contribute to the department’s social media presence and promotional efforts to highlight student and faculty achievements.
Review and recommend new software, hardware, and other technologies to enhance the journalism curriculum and student learning experience.
Organize and host guest lectures, workshops, and panel discussions featuring prominent journalists and media professionals.
Mentor junior faculty members and contribute to a supportive environment for professional growth.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Premiere Pro, Audition, InDesign).
Expert knowledge of AP Style and professional editing standards.
Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress.
Skills in digital and multimedia storytelling, including video/audio production and editing.
Familiarity with data journalism techniques and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Excel, R).
Competence in using social media platforms for newsgathering, distribution, and audience engagement.
Expertise in media law and ethical guidelines governing the profession.
Knowledge of mobile journalism (MoJo) tools and techniques.

Soft Skills

Exceptional public speaking and classroom presentation skills.
Strong written and interpersonal communication abilities.
Student mentorship and advising capabilities.
Curriculum development and instructional design.
Collaborative and collegial approach to teamwork.
Academic research and scholarly writing.
Critical thinking and analytical problem-solving.
Leadership and project management.
Networking and relationship-building.
Adaptability to new technologies and pedagogical methods.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Master’s degree (M.A./M.S.) in Journalism, Communication, or a closely related field, coupled with significant, high-level professional journalism experience. In some cases, a Ph.D. is the minimum requirement, particularly for tenure-track, research-intensive roles.

Preferred Education:

A Ph.D. in Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, or a related terminal degree is strongly preferred for tenure-track positions.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Journalism (Broadcast, Print, Digital)
Mass Communication
Media Studies
Strategic Communication

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

For tenure-track Assistant Professor roles, a completed Ph.D. is often required, though significant professional experience may be considered. For non-tenure track or lecturer roles, 5-10+ years of distinguished professional experience in journalism is typical. Previous teaching experience at the university level (including as a teaching assistant) is highly valued.

Preferred:

A demonstrated record of successful teaching at the college level, a portfolio of significant professional journalism work, and an established or promising agenda for scholarly research or creative activity. Experience mentoring a diverse student body is also highly desirable.