Assistant/Associate Professor of Digital Journalism

Assistant/Associate Professor of Digital Journalism

Position Summary:
Biola University, a private Christian institution in Southern California, seeks applications for a full-time faculty position in Digital Journalism for its nationally recognized School of Fine Arts and Communication, beginning August 2026.

Digital Journalism is the study of the creation and distribution of news and information online, using digital tools and platforms in addition to traditional print and broadcast media. Digital Journalism includes multimedia elements like video and interactive graphics, allows audience participation through commenting and social media, and utilizes new technologies like mobile reporting and content management systems. Digital Journalism provides greater speed, diversity of content, and opportunities for audience engagement.

The study of Digital Journalism prepares students for communication- and media-related careers in a range of related fields including traditional media outlets, corporate media shops, and nonprofit communication opportunities. Students specialize in the digital tools of today and prepare for the tools of tomorrow while maintaining expertise in writing, broadcast, journalistic ethics and law, as well as media literacy and avoidance of mis/disinformation.

Journalism in the digital age involves using communication techniques and media to achieve greater access for traditional news in more user friendly formats, integrating various formats including video, audio, and interactive graphics, and a specific focus on audience interaction in the news process. It encompasses planning, creating, and disseminating messages across various digital platforms to reach target audiences and engage them as a part of data driven storytelling and reporting. Key elements include online-first content, audience interaction, data-driven storytelling, real-time reporting, and use of diverse sources including blogs and citizen journalists..

Qualifications:
A terminal degree in Communication, Journalism, Digital Media, or a related discipline is preferred. A record of research and scholarship in the field is necessary and professional industry experience is highly desirable.

The ideal candidate has professional and teaching experience in areas such as writing for media, content creation, multimedia production (video, audio, podcasting), data visualization, and journalistic ethics, and media law.

Responsibilities:
Faculty responsibilities include teaching, academic advising, committee assignments, as well as service to the School of Fine Arts and Communication.

The teaching load is 12-15 units per semester (with overload opportunities), in addition to continued professional work and/or research and scholarship.

Faculty teach from established courses and are encouraged to enhance these courses and/or propose new courses to reflect new technologies, theories, and global trends. Faculty are also expected to be versed in the integration of faith and learning, making this a central aspect of their course instruction and development.

Division and University Overview:
The Division of Communication is housed in the School of Fine Arts and Communication. The Division of Communication consists of a BA in Communication with concentrations in Communication Studies, Digital Journalism and Media, and Public Relations and Strategic Communication. The Division and the program are poised for growth in emerging areas such as Health Communication and Organizational Communication, and Innovative Media. Within the Division, students learn from a core of major classes as well as highly specialized courses in their areas of concentration.

Biola is a faith-forward institution in which faculty endorse a university-wide statement of Christian beliefs and community values. These are central to integrating faith into vocational learning.

Biola’s student body comes from across the globe, so the university embraces multicultural perspectives among its students, staff, and faculty. Candidates should be able to demonstrate not only the ability to work effectively within diverse populations but to ensure the voices of faith and vocation reflect the rich diversity of God’s people both inside and outside the classroom.

Biola University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnic group identification, sex, age, or physical or mental disability. However, as a private religious institution, the University reserves the right to exercise preference based on religion in all of its employment practices.

Application Procedure and Materials:
Please send the following materials as part of your submission package:
● A cover letter
● Current curriculum vitae
● Statement describing your Christian faith and its influence on your professional career
This is a full-time, 9–10-month contract position.

Hiring Range: $82, - 96,