2026-27 AY Teaching Associate Communication Studies

College: College of Arts and Letters

Position Title: 2026-27 AY Teaching Associate Communication Studies

Department of Communication Studies

Teaching Associate Academic Year

Position Details:

The Department of Communication Studies seeks graduate students as applicants for Teaching Associates. Teaching Associates typically are responsible for providing classroom instructions.

• The department is seeking TA applicants for section of various courses.
• TAs will teach sections of various courses that following semester and could have opportunities to teach other beginning courses in the Communication Studies Department.

Teaching Associate-academic year are hired with conditional appointments based on enrollment and budget. The department reserves the right to choose the most qualified candidate for each position and to assign TA to the course(s) that are appropriate for the department program and curriculum in any given semester. Due to staff and curriculum changes courses offered may vary and no guarantee of employment from semester to semester can be made.

Anticipated Appointment Dates: This position is opened until filled. If you have applied and no other positions are available you will be notified.

• Fall 2026: August 21 2026 December 23 2026
• Spring 2027: January 21 2027 May 29 2027

Hours/Units per week: Students can work up to 20-hours per week;

• No more than 7.5 units can be assigned per semester

Job Duties: may include the following but will be dependent upon the specific courses to which the teaching associate will be assigned as well as upon the specific needs of the faculty member in charge of the course:

Under general supervision of the TA Supervisor successful candidates will teach sections of the undergraduate general education COMM 1100: Oral Communication course sections as instructors of record with all the associated duties and expectations of any lecturer. TAs are required to: 1) enroll and successfully complete COMS 5910: Theories of Instructional Communication either before or during their first semester as a TA; 2) attend paid pre-semester TA training (typically held the week before classes begin in the fall) and; 3) attend paid TA meetings Showcase events and continuing training sessions during each semester of employment as a TA.

• Attend TA orientation at the beginning of the semester
• Instruct and manage classroom
• Create or implement course design and assignment sequence
• Prepare course materials and classroom activities
• Administer examinations
• Assess student performance including give course grades
• Maintain office hours
• Tutor student

Minimum Qualifications:

Degree-seeking graduate student in the Department of Communication Studies. Teaching Associates must be currently enrolled in or admitted to a Cal State LA graduate degree program. The successful applicant will work effectively respectfully and collaboratively in a diverse multicultural and inclusive settings.

• Admissions to the Master Program in the Department of Communication Studies in good academic standing
• Enrollment in course(s) for the semester towards the degree
• Ability to relate well with others within the academic environment and have the ability or potential to learn how to instruct and evaluate students
• Demonstrate commitment to working effectively with faculty staff and students from diverse ethnic cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds

Must be an M.A. graduate student in the Department of Communication Studies. A Bachelors degree in Communication from an accredited institution of higher education is required or a Bachelors degree in another related field and completion of an approved Conditional Program for the M.A. in COMS. Teaching Associates must be enrolled in courses towards the completion of the M.A. in Communication Studies graduate degree during the Teaching Associate appointment period. For the initial appointment evidence of satisfactory achievement in previous academic work is required. For subsequent appointment evidence of satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree is required.

Salary:

Initial Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The salary schedule information for a Teaching Associate- Academic Year: Academic Year-month Classification is available based on the following ranges: (per salary schedule 7/1/2024)

Salary Range: $3245 - $7598

The anticipated monthly hiring range is generally at or near the minimum of the appropriate range commensurate with qualifications and experience. Most new Teaching Associate are hired at the minimum rate. Time base and hours will depend upon need.

The University:

California State University Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is one of 22 campuses within the California State University system. The University is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the U.S. for the upward mobility of its students and is dedicated to engagement service and the public good. We offer nationally recognized programs in science the arts business criminal justice engineering nursing education ethnic studies and the humanities. Ourfaculty have a strong commitment to scholarship research creative pursuits community engagement and service.

Our 240000 alumni reflect the City and Countys dynamic mix of populations. The University has one of the most diverse student populations of any college or university in the nation. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian-American Native American and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution Cal State LA recognizes the transformative power of education and embraces its duty to identify and serve the needs of all of its students. The University is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live work and learn in an atmosphere of civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual.

Application Procedure: The review of application will begin in Spring 2026 for a Fall 2026 start date.

Availability of positions are contingent upon departmental need. Early submissions are encouraged.

Required Documentation:

Please submit the following with the employment application at the Apply link listed below:

1. Cover Letter
2. Updated curriculum vitae (should include work history).
3. Current unofficial transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate education. If you have attended more than one institution please copy and combine these transcripts into one document.
4. Proof of enrollment in program of graduate study in this department note: if interdisciplinary use in a program of graduate study related to this assignment.
5. Proof of GET enrollment summary (Class Schedule - PDF).
6. Provide two references including name company and contact number. One reference must include a current supervisor. These references will be contacted prior to hiring.
7. Candidates with previous teaching experience or pedagogy training are welcome to include materials that demonstrate their experience and skills. (Ex: summary of teaching evaluations a teaching philosophy syllabi or a portfolio of teaching materials).

Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Application:

Deadline: For full consideration the application and all requirement materials must be submitted by March 15 2026 consideration will continue on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

To apply: please click the Apply Now icon or visit or .

Please address all questions to the department chair David Olsen at: .

Note: The person holding this position is considered a mandated 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 as a condition of employment.

Beginning January 1 2022 campuses may not hire or reappoint an Employee to perform CSU-related work outside of California. Requests for exceptions are very limited based on CSU Policy and must have prior written approval from the University President.

Background Check:A background check (including a criminal records check) must be satisfactorily completed. Offers of employment are conditional and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassmentwithin the last seven yearsonly after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position and before an offer of employment is extended.Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicants current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment:

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws California State University Los Angeles provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. California State University Los Angeles complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and all forms of discrimination harassment and retaliation in all university programs policies and practices. California State University Los Angeles is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives beliefs and identities committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue mutual respect and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs student organizations and activities faculty initiatives and community partnerships we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development faculty and staff training student mentorship and comprehensive support programs. At California State University Los Angeles excellence is built on merit talent diversity accessibility and equal opportunity for all.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/TITLE IX EMPLOYER

Upon request reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause undue hardship.