Artistic Assistant Professor of Screenwriting, Non-Tenure Track, Spring 2027

Chapman University • Orange, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts seeks a seasoned screenwriter to join our faculty as an Artistic Assistant Professor of Screenwriting, Non-Tenure Track, effective Spring 2027. The ideal candidate will bring professional experience, teaching skill, and a passion for nurturing the next generation of screenwriters. Chapman University is a nationally ranked institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. The University achieved R2 status in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a distinction held by just 10 percent of all U.S. universities, and is ranked #110 among Best National Universities by US News and World Report (2026). Our faculty includes academic leaders who excel in research, publishing, and world-class teaching in our 11 schools and colleges, including Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Dedicated to forward-looking, personalized education, we create an environment for unlimited student and faculty achievement. Industry trade publications The Wrap and The Hollywood Reporter ranks Dodge College #4 among film schools nationwide. More information about the university and Dodge College is available at https://www.chapman.edu/dodge/index.aspx . Chapman University is dedicated to forward-looking, personalized education and creating a student-centered experience. We strive to create an environment that fosters unlimited achievement by our students and faculty.

Requirements

• Significant experience working as a screenwriter in film, television, emerging media or related formats, producing work that has achieved industry recognition.
• Broad knowledge of screenwriting and film industry practices, especially as it relates to low-budget, student filmmaking and writing producible content.
• Expertise in teaching the art of storytelling across a wide variety of formats.
• An ability to inspire students artistically, to help them think critically, to enable them to collaborate as team members, and to guide them finding their voices as storytellers.

Nice To Haves

• Membership in professionally recognized industry organizations, such as the Writers Guild of America, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and/or Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
• Previous teaching experience.
• A master’s degree or significant equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with new and emerging formats, such as verticals and webisodes.

Responsibilities

• Teach eight courses per academic year (e.g., four in the fall + four in the spring).
• Courses may include introductory writing for film and television for freshmen, intermediate writing classes in television, feature film, and/or new and emerging media for sophomores and juniors, advanced thesis screenwriting courses for seniors, and similar courses for graduate students.
• Advise and mentor BFA and MFA students as they progress through their programs.
• Participate actively on university and Dodge College committees and other service projects as assigned.
• Maintain currency in the industry through continued screenwriting and/or creative professional work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level