Education and libraries
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.
Median pay
$78,580
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
2,400
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Communications teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to communications teachers, postsecondary
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
Communications teachers, postsecondary: 74% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as public speaking, media criticism, and oral traditions.
- Keep abreast of developments and technological advances in the communication field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Also called: Communication Arts Professor · Communication Instructor · Communication Lecturer · Communication Professor · Communication Skills Instructor · Communication Studies Professor · Journalism Professor · Mass Communications Professor
Outlook and AI
Communications teachers, postsecondary held 35,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 36,500 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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