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Creative Writing Professor Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

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About the job Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs ... Postdoc or junior professor in the relevant subfield ( PhD minimum). * Full professor or industry ...

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All JobsCreative Writing Professor JobsCreative Writing Professor Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Creative Writing Professor information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$51.8K

$97.6K

$164.6K

How much do creative writing professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative writing professor in Berkeley, CA is $97,597.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,100.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a creative writing professor?

Creative Writing Professors are educators who teach courses on creative writing, including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and other literary forms, at colleges or universities. They help students develop their writing skills, provide feedback on creative work, and often advise on publication opportunities. Creative Writing Professors may also conduct their own research or publish their creative works, contributing to the literary community. Their role involves both teaching and mentoring students as well as participating in academic and creative activities within their institution.

What does a creative writing professor do?

As a creative writing professor, you teach college students how to write creative prose and poetry. The university for whom you teach may also require you to write articles, content, or stories for academic or literary publications. Your duties as a professor include creating a syllabus for each course and helping students develop their writing skills. You may advise students on the structure of a story or poem and offer commentary on a draft of their work. You might teach a general creative writing course or offer classes on specific topics, such as short fiction, creative nonfiction, or novels.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a creative writing professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Writing Professor, you need an advanced degree in creative writing or a related field, a strong portfolio of published works, and experience in teaching or mentoring writers. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), workshop facilitation tools, and contemporary literary platforms is typically required. Outstanding communication, constructive feedback, and the ability to inspire creativity are essential soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities foster an engaging learning environment that supports student growth, critical thinking, and creative expression.

What are some common challenges creative writing professors face in fostering student engagement and creativity?

Creative Writing Professors often encounter the challenge of encouraging students to take creative risks while also providing constructive feedback that nurtures their confidence. Balancing the diverse skill levels and backgrounds of students can require flexible teaching approaches and tailored assignments. Additionally, professors must create an inclusive, respectful environment that supports open sharing and critique, which is essential for students' growth as writers. Collaborating with colleagues on interdisciplinary projects or literary events can also help foster a dynamic learning atmosphere.

What is the difference between Creative Writing Professor vs Writing Instructor?

AspectCreative Writing ProfessorWriting Instructor
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Creative Writing, English, or related fieldVaries; often bachelor's degree, teaching certification, or specialized training
Work EnvironmentUniversities, colleges, academic settingsCommunity colleges, adult education, workshops, online platforms
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, universitiesEducational institutions, community programs, online education
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic roles, qualifications, and career pathsLearning to teach writing, certification, or part-time teaching

While both roles involve teaching writing skills, a Creative Writing Professor typically works in higher education with advanced degrees and focuses on academic research and curriculum development. A Writing Instructor may work in various educational settings, often with different certification requirements, and may focus more on teaching practical writing skills in community or online environments.

More about Creative Writing Professor jobs

What are popular job titles related to Creative Writing Professor jobs in Berkeley, CA?

For Creative Writing Professor jobs in Berkeley, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Writing Professor jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Writing Professor jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Creative Writing Professor jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Creative Writing Professor job openings:

Creative Writing Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Writing Professor job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,597 per year, or $46.9 per hour.

Adjunct Professor, low-residency MFA in Writing for Young Readers

The University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$2.2K/wk

Part-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

University Of San Francisco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

230th of 620 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job Title:
Adjunct Professor, low-residency MFA in Writing for Young Readers
Job Summary:
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private, urban University with a global perspective that educates leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world. USF draws from the cultural, intellectual, and economic resources of the San Francisco Bay Area and its location on the Pacific Rim to enrich its educational programs.
The MFA in Writing for Young Readers (MFAY) is a low-residency graduate program. We offer immersive, in-person residencies followed by intensive one-to-one mentorship. Part-time adjunct professors mentor individual students in reading like a writer, craft-based critical writing, and students' creative projects. Adjunct professors must be expert at working with students through all forms of instruction and at the manuscript level as students engage deeply with questions of audience, craft, process, and literary practices.
All MFAY adjunct faculty are expected to have deep familiarity with the field of writing for young readers and must be willing to teach across genres during residency and through individual mentorship. These genres include picture books, early readers and chapter books, middle-grade and young adult novels, nonfiction, poetry and novels in verse, short stories, and graphic literature. Candidates are not required to be published in every category.
Positions are part-time, non-tenure track, renewable based on need, funding, and performance.
Full Job Description:
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have graduate-level higher education teaching experience as well as significant publications in the field of literature for young readers.
Adjuncts must participate in the program's on-campus residencies at the university's main campus in San Francisco, held twice annually in January and June.
Responsibilities during residency may include leading workshops, seminars, and lectures; faculty readings, and graduation events; meeting with both continuing and newly assigned mentees; and contributing to the intellectual and creative life of the program. During the rest of the semester, adjunct faculty respond to student work promptly and thoroughly, hold mid-semester calls, and attend to other work in support of students.
Minimum Qualifications
  • BA in a relevant field
  • Significant publishing track record-note awards, bestsellers, and groundbreaking titles
  • College-level teaching experience or equivalent
  • Knowledge of critical and inclusive pedagogies

Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong record of publication in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and/or short stories.
  • Minimum of 3 years' experience in the teaching of creative writing, preferably at the graduate level.
  • Evidence of strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work independently and to collaborate with others.
  • Adept at student-centered learning.
  • Community-building orientation, with a willingness to do service and commit to program goals

To apply, please submit:
• A cover letter describing your work as a writer and a teacher
• A CV or resume
• A Teaching Statement of no more than 2 pages that shares your teaching philosophy
Those whose initial application materials are approved by the hiring committee will be asked to evaluate a sample packet of student work-both creative and critical. Strong candidates will then be invited to the interview stage. We hire on a rolling basis and applications submitted after 5/31/26 will be processed for consideration at a later date.
We invite candidates to learn more about the MFAY program located in the heart of San Francisco https://www.usfca.edu/MFAY
The academic calendar, including dates for our teaching semesters, are here. Part time faculty at USF are unionized and benefits are listed on the USF Part Time Faculty Association's website here.
Full-Time/Part-Time:
Part time
Pay Rate:
Salary
Salary Range :
$2256 per credit

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