"Health Communication Assistant Professor"

Job Details

California State University, Fresno
College of Arts & Humanities
Department of Communication
https://cah.fresnostate.edu/communication/index.html

Health Communication Assistant Professor

Tenure Track
Fall 2026 (August 2026)

The Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Humanities at California State University, Fresno, seeks applicants for a tenure-track, academic-year position as an Assistant Professor in Health Communication. The successful candidate’s teaching and scholarship will specialize in Health Communication. Successful candidates, in addition to designing and offering courses in Health Communication, will also teach courses in one or more of the core areas of the major: communication theory, communication research methods, rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, and/or performance and cultural studies. Specific assignments will depend on department needs.

The Department of Communication prepares students to engage local, regional, and global communities through the study and practice of human communication. Grounded in humanistic, social scientific, and cultural traditions, the program develops oral and written communication skills, critical discourse analysis, and qualitative and quantitative research literacy, with an emphasis on applying theory in personal, professional, organizational, and public contexts. The Department offers a blend of qualitative, quantitative, rhetorical, and performative approaches to the study of human communication from a range of traditional, contemporary, and critical perspectives.

The Communication faculty research communication from a variety of perspectives, and the successful candidate may use qualitative, quantitative, critical, arts-based, or other scholarly approaches to research. The successful candidate will also provide major advising and service to the university, college, department, and community.

Our students: California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Qualifications:

Required Education (from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent):
An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Communication or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution or international equivalent. Applicants nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered; however, for appointment, the doctorate must be completed by August 1, 2026.

Required Experience:

1. Successful college teaching experience
2. Ability to teach, develop courses, and conduct research in Health Communication
3. Ability to teach students from ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds represented in the Central Valley of California

Preferred Qualifications:

1. We seek a colleague who focuses on health communication across changing health landscapes, with a preference for scholars whose teaching and research interests may align with, but are not limited to: relational dynamics in health communication, health communication and technology, patient/provider communication, health disparities and health equity, cross-cultural and global perspectives in health communication, and media health influences in individual and/or public health contexts.
2. An ability to teach Interpersonal/Relational Communication and/or one or more core courses in the Communication major.

Application Procedures:

Full consideration will be given to complete applications submitted by March 12, 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the committee until the position is filled. Note: All positions at Fresno State are subject to funding availability.

Apply online at: https://careers.fresnostate.edu/

Attach the following:

1. A letter of interest or cover letter specifically addressing required experience and preferred qualifications.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., quantitative ratings of instruction, peer evaluations, and/or sample teaching materials).
4. One or two representative samples of scholarly work.
5. Unofficial graduate transcripts.
6. A list of three professional references with their contact information.

Candidates invited for an on-campus visit must submit the following within the designated deadline. The Search Chair will send information and requests for these items:

• Three current letters of recommendation (dated within 12 months of full consideration date.)
• Official transcripts

Committee Information:
Search Chair: Dr. Douglas Fraleigh
Department of Communication
Email: douglasf@csufresno.edu

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The anticipated hiring range is $6,500-$6,800 per month for an Assistant Professor (12 monthly payments per academic year). As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package.