Assistant Professor, Journalism
The Department of Communication at the University of North Alabama invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Mass Communication - Journalism and Digital Media Production, beginning August 2026. This is a nine-month appointment, with an opportunity for teaching in the summer based on departmental need. Initial review of applications will begin on October 24, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.
The ideal candidate for this position is committed to and has a record of exemplary teaching at the undergraduate level in areas related to journalism and digital media production, broadly considered. Candidates with professional media industry experience are especially encouraged to apply, as are candidates with experience utilizing emerging media approaches to journalism. A core aspect of this role involves serving as Student Media Advisor for UNA’s student media program, which includes outlets such as the student-produced Flor-Ala newspaper and Flow Magazine.
The University of North Alabama is the state’s oldest public university and sits on a beautiful 130-acre campus in historic Florence, Alabama. Florence is located within a four-city area on the banks of the Tennessee River known as the Shoals, which is steeped in arts, culture, and entertainment—and is home to the famous Muscle Shoals sound.
The standard teaching load is twelve (12) credit hours per semester. Experience in online teaching or a willingness to learn how to develop and teach online courses is required. The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses in Media Writing, Feature Writing, Advanced Reporting, Communication Law and Ethics, and/or other courses in their specialty area or as needed. The successful candidate will also serve as the Student Media Advisor, as well as engage in research and a variety of service activities.
A Ph.D. in mass communication or related area from an accredited university is required; ABD candidates will be considered. Preference will be given to candidates who have significant professional experience in journalism, news production, digital editing, and/or student media leadership, and a record of teaching excellence. Applicants with media industry experience are especially encouraged to apply.
To apply for this position, please visit our Online Employment System at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/una/jobs/5090300/tenure-track-assistant-professor-journalism-digital-media-production. Applications will only be accepted via this system. Applicants must upload at the time of application a cover letter, CV, and provide contact information for at least three academic/professional references. Applicants may also submit additional supporting information, such as teaching/advising philosophy, research statement, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and/or evidence of scholarly productivity, but these additional materials are not required. Please upload all documents as PDFs.
Transcripts are required. Official transcripts for the highest degree attained are required of the successful candidate, but unofficial copies will be accepted for the application process. If any of your graduate hours in the relevant teaching discipline are taken from a degree(s) that is not your highest attained, an official transcript of that degree(s) must also be submitted. Electronic copies, if available, of unofficial transcripts may be attached under the attachment headings of Unofficial Transcript 1, Unofficial Transcript 2, etc. Electronic copies of unofficial/official transcripts may also be requested to be sent to employment@una.edu. If electronic copies of transcripts are unavailable, hard copies must be sent to: Human Resources, One Harrison Plaza, UNA Box 5043, Florence, AL, 35632 or brought to 601 Cramer Way, Room 226. Official transcripts must be sent directly to HR from the issuing school via email or postal mail to be considered official. Transcripts with a designation of “Issued to Student”, or with the student name listed as the recipient will not be considered official. Official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate prior to the start date of the appointment, but unofficial copies will be accepted for the application process. If you attended UNA, please click here to fill out an online, electronic transcript request form. Your transcripts will be delivered to HR and we will upload them to your application packet at no charge to you. For questions, please email employment@una.edu or call 256-765-4291 and select option #2. Selecting an option other than #2 will result in a delayed response.
UNA is an equal opportunity employer. We seek a wide range of applicants for our positions so that our core values will be affirmed.