Health Communication Assistant Professor

California State University, Fresno
College of Arts & Humanities
Department of Communication
https://cah.fresnostate.edu/communication/index.html

Health Communication Assistant Professor

Tenure Track

Fall 2026 (August 2026)

The Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Humanities at California State University, Fresno, seeks applicants for a tenure-track, academic-year position as an Assistant Professor in Health Communication. The successful candidate’s teaching and scholarship will specialize in Health Communication. Successful candidates, in addition to designing and offering courses in Health Communication, will also teach courses in one or more of the core areas of the major: communication theory, communication research methods, rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, and/or performance and cultural studies. Specific assignments will depend on department needs.

The Department of Communication prepares students to engage local, regional, and global communities through the study and practice of human communication. Grounded in humanistic, social scientific, and cultural traditions, the program develops oral and written communication skills, critical discourse analysis, and qualitative and quantitative research literacy, with an emphasis on applying theory in personal, professional, organizational, and public contexts. The Department offers a blend of qualitative, quantitative, rhetorical, and performative approaches to the study of human communication from a range of traditional, contemporary, and critical perspectives.

The Communication faculty research communication from a variety of perspectives, and the successful candidate may use qualitative, quantitative, critical, arts-based, or other scholarly approaches to research. The successful candidate will also provide major advising and service to the university, college, department, and community.

Our students: California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Qualifications:

Required Education (from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent):

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Communication or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution or international equivalent. Applicants nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered; however, for appointment, the doctorate must be completed by August 1, 2026.

Required Experience:
Successful college teaching experience Ability to teach, develop courses, and conduct research in Health Communication Ability to teach students from ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds represented in the Central Valley of California
Preferred Qualifications:
We seek a colleague who focuses on health communication across changing health landscapes, with a preference for scholars whose teaching and research interests may align with, but are not limited to: relational dynamics in health communication, health communication and technology, patient/provider communication, health disparities and health equity, cross-cultural and global perspectives in health communication, and media health influences in individual and/or public health contexts. An ability to teach Interpersonal/Relational Communication and/or one or more core courses in the Communication major.
Application Procedures:

Full consideration will be given to complete applications submitted by March 12, 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the committee until the position is filled. Note: All positions at Fresno State are subject to funding availability.

Apply online at: https://careers.fresnostate.edu/

Attach the following:
A letter of interest or cover letter specifically addressing required experience and preferred qualifications. A curriculum vitae. Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., quantitative ratings of instruction, peer evaluations, and/or sample teaching materials). One or two representative samples of scholarly work. Unofficial graduate transcripts. A list of three professional references with their contact information.
Candidates invited for an on-campus visit must submit the following within the designated deadline. The Search Chair will send information and requests for these items:
Three current letters of recommendation (dated within 12 months of full consideration date.) Official transcripts
Committee Information:
Search Chair: Dr. Douglas Fraleigh
Department of Communication
Email: douglasf@csufresno.edu

About Fresno State

California State University, Fresno is an engaged University. We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We nurture cultural competence by celebrating the rich diversity of the campus community and welcoming the participation of all. Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The campus is ranked 2nd in the nation by Washington Monthly for tuition (and tax) dollars; ranked No. 31 for social mobility in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings; and received a 4.5-star rating on a 5-star scale in Money’s 2025 Best Colleges list.

Tenure-Track Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University's Probationary Plan Process. For additional information, please visit: www.fresnostate.edu/academics/facultyaffairs/procedures/facultyrtp/ . We value our commitment to the success of our faculty by providing services from the Center for Faculty Excellence to Research and Sponsored Programs.

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The anticipated hiring range is $6,500-$6,800 per month for an Assistant Professor (12 monthly payments per academic year). As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package.

Territorial Acknowledgement:

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land .

Other Campus Information:

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at www.fresnostate.edu/police/clery/index.shtml. Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

Any offer of employment may be withdrawn, or employment may be terminated based upon the results of the background investigation.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment. You can obtain a copy of this Executive order by accessing the following website: http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1083.html.

California State University, Fresno is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer consistent with CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy, as well as state and federal law. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

Out of State Employment
Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022, are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022, must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person. Faculty assignments include in-person duties that require an on-campus presence.

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/

Fresno State’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Advertised: Feb 10 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

• 

• Cal State University (CSU) Fresno

• 559.278.4240

Show more