"Professional-Track Faculty Position – Journalism and Mass Communications"

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SJMC) invites applications for at least one nine-month professional-track faculty position at the rank of Instructor, to begin on either January 1, 2026, or August 16, 2026. We seek instructors who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission of preparing the next generation of mass communication practitioners.

SJMC offers undergraduate majors in advertising, journalism, mass communication, public relations, sports media, and visual communications. The most competitive applicants will bring both professional expertise and demonstrated teaching ability that spans at least two of these majors. We are particularly interested in candidates who can teach in one or more of the following areas: Public Relations/Strategic Communication, Social Media, Sports Media, and Media Law.

Responsibilities:

• Teaching
• Select service activities may include but are not limited to advising student organizations such as clubs, agencies and competitions. Participate in shared governance.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher in mass communications, journalism or a related field by the start date of employment.
• Candidate must have a minimum of three years of professional experience in mass communications, journalism or a related field.

Preferred Qualification:

Teaching experience is not required, but desired.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SJMC) enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduates and 120 graduate students across programs in advertising, public relations, broadcast journalism, journalism, mass communication, sports media, and visual communication, as well as several interdisciplinary minors. The SJMC also offers a research-oriented master’s program in theory and research, a professionally focused master’s program, and a Ph.D. in mass communication. Faculty combine scholarly and professional expertise to advance communication research and practice in ways that prepare students for leadership in media, strategic communication, and related fields.

The College of Information and Communications

The College of Information and Communications (CIC) is home to two internationally recognized schools, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SJMC) and the School of Information Science (iSchool), along with the new interdisciplinary unit of Information and Communication Studies. Together these entities advance research, teaching, and outreach across a wide spectrum of communication and information domains. The CIC is distinctive in combining communication, information science, and interdisciplinary study under one umbrella, uniting rapidly evolving fields around the belief that information access and effective communication are cornerstones of self-governance and civic life. The college enrolls approximately 2,200 undergraduates and 500 graduate students and is supported by more than 150 faculty and staff members. Faculty and students benefit from state-of-the-art resources such as the Social Media Insights Lab and the Biometric and User Experience Lab, which support the study of media, data, and their influence on society. The new unit, Information and Communication Studies, further expands the college’s programs through undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in communication, data and communication, health communication, and information security and cyber leadership.

The University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Application Process:

All applicants must complete an online application at USC Jobs at the following link: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/195153. Applications are due by November 1, 2025. The position will remain open until filled.

Candidates should be prepared to upload the following documents:

1. Letter of application addressing interests and qualifications for the position
2. Resume or Curriculum vitae
3. List of three references (including name, phone number, and email)
4. Three letters of recommendation signed and on letterhead (only for candidates selected as finalists) should be emailed directly to Rachel Rolli at rachelrolli@sc.edu. While these letters are only required prior to interview, letters may be uploaded to USCJobs at the time of initial application.

Inquiries about this posting should be directed to Search Committee Chair Jeffrey Williams at jeffwill@mailbox.sc.edu.