Assistant Professor of Public Relations

California State University, Fullerton•Fullerton, CA

9d•$6,851 - $6,985•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Communications at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in public relations, with an appointment beginning in August 2027. This is an opportunity to bring passion and expertise to a dynamic, future-oriented faculty where you will directly impact nearly 1,500 diverse students across 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 signature annual COMM Week. The department is looking for a collaborative colleague to teach a variety of public relations courses—from PR writing and ethics to senior capstones—and potentially co-lead PRactical ADvantage, the student-run agency. In this role, you will mentor students, advise them on their career paths, and help shape the future of the department and university communities. As a tenure-track faculty member, you will maintain an active research agenda, producing impactful scholarship or creative work in public relations, strategic communications, or related mass communication disciplines aligned with tenure requirements. The ideal candidate will be eager to fully engage in the life and ongoing development of the department—whether through student mentorship, committee service, or collaboration within the broader university and professional communities. To support a diverse student body, candidates should also expect to teach evening and graduate-level courses occasionally.

Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in mass communications, strategic communications, communications, or a related field.
Professional experience in public relations or a closely related field, including experience in an agency, corporate, in-house, nonprofit, or similar capacity.
Demonstrated potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching.
Ability to balance teaching, conducting scholarship and/or creative activities, and working collaboratively on department and university service activities.
Ability to successfully teach a wide range of public relations classes, including but not limited to PR writing, corporate and nonprofit PR, principles and ethics of PR, and capstone courses.
Ability to interact effectively orally and in writing with a wide and culturally diverse range of students and colleagues.

Nice To Haves

Evidence of successful scholarly research or creative accomplishments in public relations, strategic communications, mass communications, or related fields.
Experience with and ability to incorporate digital communications strategy, social media analytics, content creation, and/or emerging communications technologies into teaching, scholarship and/or creative activities.
Membership and active involvement in PRSA, or its international equivalents, and/or APR accreditation.
Ability to contribute to accreditation self-study, curriculum development, and assessment of student learning.
Ability to lead high-impact programs emphasizing student mentoring and professional engagement.
Evidence of a professional network, including contact with industry leaders.

Responsibilities

Teach a variety of public relations courses, including PR writing, ethics, and senior capstones.
Potentially co-lead PRactical ADvantage, the student-run agency.
Mentor students and advise them on their career paths.
Maintain an active research agenda, producing impactful scholarship or creative work in public relations, strategic communications, or related mass communication disciplines.
Engage in the life and ongoing development of the department through student mentorship, committee service, or collaboration.
Occasionally teach evening and graduate-level courses.