Skip to main content

Journalism Instructor - UCLA Extension

Position overview

Position title: Instructor
Salary range: $2,900 - $3,110 per course/quarter. Compensation is dependent on qualifications and experience.

Application Window

Open date: September 9, 2024

Next review date: Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

UCLA Extension is considered one of the top programs of its kind, offering to more than 35,000 students per year approximately 4,500 classes and non-degree certificate programs to meet the professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the full spectrum of nontraditional students as well as companies and organizations throughout and beyond the Los Angeles region.

Course / Program Description

The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at UCLA Extension offers a wide variety of certificate programs and courses including transfer credit (XL), post-baccalaureate credit-bearing (400-level), and continuing education (CEU) credit courses. Disciplines span subject areas such as anthropology, classics, comparative literature, communication, economics, history, languages, philosophy, and sociology. Other disciplines include journalism, court interpretation and translation, and public policy.

UCLA Extension courses and certificate programs offer students the opportunity to learn from highly qualified instructors who hold advanced degrees and are passionate, skilled teachers. Extension’s 400-series post-baccalaureate courses are comparable in content, presentation style, and level of instruction to courses in a professional degree program. Credit earned in these courses may lead to the award of formal certificates by UCLA Extension and may be transferable for advanced standing in professional studies elsewhere, subject to the policies of the receiving institution.

Job Description

Note: This position involves teaching two sections of the same course—one online and one onsite in Westwood Village, CA—during the 2024-25 academic year. Applicants must be available to travel to Westwood one evening per week.

Applications to teach are accepted throughout the year to fill immediate program needs and to increase the depth of the instructor pool, but interviews will only be scheduled with qualified applicants who can fill anticipated openings.

Qualified applicants possessing current industry knowledge and teaching experience in the following topic area(s) are encouraged to apply:
• JOURN X 440.1 Professional Approaches to Journalism
• JOURN X 440.2 The Practice of Journalism
• JOURN X 440.3 The Modern Journalism World
• JOURN X 462 Media Law and Ethics
• JOURN X 428 Reporting and Media Production in the Age of AI
• JOURN X 439 The Art of the Interview

For a detailed overview of the Journalism Certificate program, visit:

https://www.uclaextension.edu/communications/journalism/certificate/journalism

Instructor Duties:

• Develop or update course syllabus to meet campus approval requirements, in consultation with the UCLA Extension Program Director.
• Prepare course materials and learning assessments appropriate to the subject matter.
• Deliver instruction as assigned. Design interactive and motivational classroom activities to fully engage participants and reinforce student learning.
• Use subject-matter expertise to impart knowledge to students and leverage additional resources appropriately to enhance the curriculum (i.e., schedule guest speakers, etc.)
• Utilize the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) as the course support platform as appropriate.
• Update materials periodically, and regularly monitor course evaluations in order to adjust and improve to the curriculum.
• Post final student grades to the transcript system in a timely manner no later than 2 weeks after the course end date.
• Respond to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner.
• Communicate with Program Director and Staff in a timely manner.
• Complete required administrative tasks in a timely manner (i.e., complete all new hire paperwork, submit updated quarterly syllabus, post bio, and photo on the UCLA Extension website, accept quarterly contract, submit required textbook orders, and communicate classroom needs to the appropriate team members.
• Participate in required orientations and instructor training programs.
• Employ culturally competent teaching methodologies in the classroom inclusive of Extension’s diverse domestic and international student population.
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in the journalism and media fields.
• Respond to student inquiries about final grades and consult with Program Director as needed.
• Maintain a record of and allow students to review their final exams/papers for up to 13 months following the last class session.

General Employment Information

Employment as a UCLA Extension Instructor is dictated by contract terms and conditions. Please take the time to read the UCLA Extension Instructor Employment Policies.

For information on UCLA Extension instructor benefits, please visit Pay, Benefits, & Privileges.

Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AEDI) is one of UCLA Extension’s guiding principles. We strive to extend access to UCLA, our programs, and services to underrepresented communities and populations, while serving as a model organization for AEDI in the field of continuing higher education. Committed to attracting and retaining diverse staff & instructors, UCLA Extension welcomes your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience as a news reporter or in similar roles, with a demonstrated record of success in interviewing, writing, and reporting news for global audiences across multiple digital platforms.
• Advanced degree in Journalism or related discipline preferred
• College-level teaching experience preferred

•Experience teaching adult learners preferred
• Experience teaching international students preferred
• Commitment to the highest level of academic standards and integrity
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and information
• Highly effective interpersonal skills
• Active affiliation and participation in relevant professional associations preferred
• Proficiency in (or willingness to learn) the use of instructional technology and online teaching tools
• Highly effective interpersonal skills

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae / Resume - Your most recently updated Curriculum Vitae / Resume.

  • Cover Letter

Reference requirements

References are requested from candidates after the interviewing stage, and references are only contacted for finalists via SkillSurvey system.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF09822

Help contact: ehr@unex.ucla.edu

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy, please visit https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA