Mississippi State University
Assistant Professor
Position Function:
This is one full-time, 9-month, tenure-track faculty position requiring the successful candidate to teach, conduct research/creative work, and perform service. See below for more specifics.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are “Unclassified” and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
The Department of Communication at Mississippi State University (www.comm.msstate.edu) is one of the largest on campus. There are approximately 500 undergraduate majors across five concentrations: Broadcast & Digital Journalism, Communication & Media Studies, Print & Digital Journalism, Public Relations, and Theatre. Students may choose concentrations in more than one area, and minors are offered in each concentration.
The department also offers students a Master of Arts in Communication. https://www.comm.msstate.edu/graduate-program
The Mississippi State University Department of Communication prepares students through scholarship and creative practice, to be empowered professional communicators and artists. Graduates of the Mississippi State University Department of Communication excel in a variety of professional landscapes and contribute to an ever-evolving global society as critical thinkers, savvy consumers, life-long learners, storytellers, content creators and audience-focused communicators and artists.
Students within the Department of Communication can take part in many different career advancement programs, such as internships and other student clubs and organizations like Alpha Psi Omega, Lambda Pi Eta, Speech & Debate Council, Lab Rats Comedy & Improv, Public Relations & Integrated Student Media (PRISM) agency, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Broadcast Education Association Student Media Club, Take 30 (Tv) News, The Reflector (newspaper), and via campus media partners: WMSV-FM, University Television, Digital Media Center, Hail State Productions (SEC Network/ESPN) and Geosciences (Meteorology).
Area of Specialization:
Broadcast & Digital Journalism/Creative Media Production
Anticipated Appointment Date:
August 16, 2025
Tenure Track Status:
Tenure-Track
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department of Communication at MSU seeks a tenure-track assistant professor who specializes in broadcast/print & digital journalism and/or creative media production. The successful candidate will primarily teach in either the broadcast or print & digital journalism concentrations, (or in the soon-to-be-named new concentration pertaining to entertainment media production), participate in scholarly activities relevant to the field, and be actively involved in service roles that contribute to furthering the reputation of the concentration, department, college, and university.
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses (in person and/or online). A sample of undergraduate courses that the successful candidate may be assigned to teach include, but is not limited to, Mass Media Law, Writing for the Media, or other based on area of expertise. Graduate courses could include Media Law for Leaders & Organizations, Managing Messages & Media Relations, Seminar in Communication and Leadership, Seminar in Media, or other based on area of expertise.
A typical course load for an assistant professor with an active research agenda is three undergraduate courses per semester. If teaching graduate courses, the workload is 3/2, reduced during the semester teaching at the graduate level. During the first two years of employment, an additional course equivalent reassignment per semester for tenure-track positions may be granted (for an overall 2-2 load), thus encouraging the individual to initiate or continue a strong research/creative program.
Research is defined by the university, college, and department in a broad context. Excellence in research or creative achievement must be established by critical peer evaluation, using standards prevailing in the discipline. More information on promotion and tenure is available in the faculty handbook which can be found at http://www.provost.msstate.edu/pdf/faculty_handbook.pdf.
Service includes advising majors and student organizations, developing curriculum, and serving on committees. Service activities within the community, academic and professional disciplines are also recognized as aspects of faculty achievement.
Minimum Qualifications:
For tenure-track positions, the appropriate terminal degree and a strong record of or potential for successful teaching and scholarly research and/or creative work are required. Highly qualified ABDs will be considered, but a communication-related terminal degree must be completed within one year of the appointment date.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have a PhD or MFA in a communication field, a strong record of scholarly research and/or creative work, and collegiate teaching experience. Specifically, the ideal candidate would have a background in professional media and experience teaching college level media courses.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The successful candidate must have a thorough knowledge of the field and a willingness to participate collegially in a broad department. Colleagues must be able to communicate that knowledge to students as well as to other important groups through scholarship and service. See above for overall duties and responsibilities.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort:
The successful candidate must be able to teach in a classroom setting, conduct research and/or creative work, and provide service in the profession.
Instructions for Applying:
All applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu and attach (1) a cover letter (1–2-page letter of application summarizing teaching experience and performance, current scholarship/professional agenda, (2) current resume or curriculum vitae, (3) contact information for at least three professional references. Review of applications will begin Nov. 4, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position are welcome and can be directed to Dr. Philip Poe, Search Committee Chair, at
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
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If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or . Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
