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Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other titles employers use
Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Communication Arts Professor · Communication Instructor · Communication Professor · Instructor · Mass Communications Professor · Professor
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as public speaking, media criticism, and oral traditions.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, analytical and creative work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Instructing
- Writing
- Active Learning
Subjects to know
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Communications and Media
- Psychology
- Computers and Electronics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 71%
- A doctorate or professional degree 29%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Word processing software
- Electronic mail software
- Document management software
- Desktop publishing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,300
- Job openings each year
- 80
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 21.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 4,300 | 80 | 21.5% |
| California | 3,200 | 260 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 2,590 | 220 | 9.3% |
| Illinois | 1,930 | 150 | 1.6% |
| New Jersey | 1,550 | 130 | 9.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,250 | 100 | 1.6% |
| Arizona | 1,040 | 90 | 6.1% |
| Ohio | 1,040 | 80 | 1.0% |
| North Carolina | 960 | 80 | 11.6% |
| Michigan | 820 | 70 | 2.5% |
| Florida | 810 | 70 | 9.5% |
| Colorado | 750 | 70 | 19.0% |
| Maryland | 740 | 60 | 13.8% |
| Virginia | 710 | 60 | 2.9% |
| Wisconsin | 680 | 60 | 6.3% |
| Washington | 650 | 60 | 14.0% |
| Missouri | 620 | 50 | 3.3% |
| Tennessee | 600 | 50 | 20.0% |
| Iowa | 560 | 50 | 9.8% |
| Indiana | 550 | 50 | 3.8% |
| District of Columbia | 450 | 40 | 4.7% |
| Connecticut | 440 | 40 | 10.0% |
| New Mexico | 440 | 40 | 10.0% |
| Alabama | 430 | 40 | 4.9% |
| Oregon | 400 | 30 | 5.3% |
| Massachusetts | 360 | 30 | 12.5% |
| Minnesota | 350 | 30 | 2.9% |
| Georgia | 320 | 30 | 6.7% |
| Oklahoma | 310 | 20 | — |
| Kansas | 300 | 30 | 3.4% |
| Utah | 300 | 30 | 25.0% |
| Arkansas | 290 | 20 | — |
| South Carolina | 290 | 20 | 11.5% |
| Kentucky | 270 | 20 | 3.8% |
| West Virginia | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| Louisiana | 210 | 20 | 10.5% |
| Mississippi | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Nebraska | 190 | 20 | 5.6% |
| Idaho | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| South Dakota | 110 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Delaware | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Maine | 80 | 10 | — |
| Montana | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| New Hampshire | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| North Dakota | 60 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
The University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 1,068
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college MIMichigan State University
- Degrees each year
- 923
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college NHSouthern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 738
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college PAPennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 830
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college COUniversity of Colorado Boulder
- Degrees each year
- 803
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college FLUniversity of Florida
- Degrees each year
- 696
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college ORUniversity of Oregon
- Degrees each year
- 660
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college GAUniversity of Georgia
- Degrees each year
- 685
- Admit rate
- 37%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open collegeCompare every college offering public relations, advertising, and applied communication