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Composition Professor Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Composition Professor information

What is a composition professor?

Composition professors are educators who specialize in teaching students how to write effectively, typically at the college or university level. They instruct courses in academic writing, creative writing, and rhetoric, helping students improve their grammar, organization, and critical thinking skills. In addition to teaching, composition professors often conduct research, develop curriculum, and advise students on their writing projects. Their goal is to prepare students to communicate clearly and persuasively in both academic and professional contexts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a composition professor?

To thrive as a Composition Professor, you need expertise in writing pedagogy, advanced knowledge of rhetoric and composition theory, and typically a PhD or MFA in English or a related field. Familiarity with learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard), academic databases, and digital writing tools is essential. Outstanding communication, mentorship, and adaptability are crucial soft skills that help foster student growth and engagement. These skills and qualifications are vital for effectively teaching diverse student populations and advancing scholarship in the field.

How does a composition professor typically collaborate with other faculty and departments within a university?

Composition Professors often work closely with colleagues in English, Writing Centers, and interdisciplinary programs to develop curriculum, coordinate writing initiatives, and assess student outcomes. They may participate in department meetings, serve on committees, and collaborate on research or teaching projects. This team-oriented environment helps foster consistent standards across courses and provides opportunities for professional growth through shared expertise and mentorship.

What is the difference between Composition Professor vs Music Theory Professor?

AspectComposition ProfessorMusic Theory Professor
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in Composition or related fieldMaster's or Doctorate in Music Theory or related field
Work EnvironmentUniversities, conservatories, private studiosUniversities, conservatories, research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, arts organizationsHigher education institutions, research centers
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Composition Professors and Music Theory Professors typically hold advanced degrees and work in academic settings. Composition Professors focus on creating and teaching new music compositions, while Music Theory Professors analyze and teach the structural aspects of music. Although their roles overlap in higher education, their specialization areas differ, making each role unique within the music academic field.

What are popular job titles related to Composition Professor jobs in Massachusetts?

For Composition Professor jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Composition Professor job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Assistant Professor (English) at University of Massachusetts Boston Boston, MA

Boston, MA โ€ข On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Assistant Professor (English) job at University of Massachusetts Boston. Boston, MA.

Assistant Professor of Englishโ€”Early Modern Literatures (1500-1800)

The English Department seeks an Assistant Professor specializing in Early Modern Literatures (1500-1800), beginning September 1, 2026. Scholars with research interests in Critical Race Studies, Gender and Sexuality, or Disability Studies, and a commitment to teaching the early modern pastโ€”canonical and underrepresented texts alikeโ€”from BIPOC, feminist, queer, and/or trans perspectives are especially encouraged to apply. All candidates with publication and teaching expertise in Early Modern Studies will be considered. Also required are a record or clear promise of publication, a record of strong teaching, and a commitment to departmental and institutional service.

The teaching load is 2 courses per semester. The successful candidate will teach introductory and special topics courses in their field of specialty, as well as undergraduate and graduate courses in Shakespeare and Early Modern Literatures more broadly and will contribute to the instruction of gateway courses to the English major, including introductions to literary studies and British literature. Junior faculty members receive two course releases to use for a pre-tenure research-intensive semester. The English Department has about 300 undergraduate English majors and minors; over 40 MA students in literature, composition, and creative writing; and a fulltime MFA program enrolling 30 students in creative writing.

UMass Boston is an urban public research university with a teaching soul, whose impact is both local and global. We are the third most diverse university in the country โ€“ more than 60% of our undergraduate students come from minoritized communities and groups and more than half of our students are the first in their families to attend a college or university. Thus, our students come to us from richly diverse life experiences and backgrounds; they bring to our classrooms and research settings the robust range of perspectives growing out of the socioโ€‘cultural, economic, and historical contexts in which they have lived, along with the challenges they encounter, engage, and strive to overcome. We invite applications from candidates who engage the diverse life experiences of our student body, who appreciate that students bring their holistic selves into the academic setting, and who recognize and articulate how their own life experiences and backgrounds have shaped their journeys, practices, and commitments as researchers, scholars, and educators.

Candidates must have Ph.D. in hand by August 31, 2026.

All applications must be submitted online at https://employmentopportunities.umb.edu/boston/en-us/listing/. Please submit a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, a sample article or chapter, and contact information for three references.

The review of applications will begin on October 15, 2025.

Please direct any inquiries to Department Chair, Alex Mueller at alex.mueller@umb.edu

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HRDirect@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

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