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Creative Writing Professor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

NuMark Credit Union

Social Media Intern

Warrenville, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $20/hr

Do you have a creative eye, a pulse on social media trends, and a passion for telling stories that ... Strong written communication skills * Experience with analytics tools such as Meta Insights or ...

NuMark Credit Union

Social Media Intern

Warrenville, IL · On-site

$20/hr

Do you have a creative eye, a pulse on social media trends, and a passion for telling stories that ... Assist in writing captions that reflect NuMark's voice, mission, and compliance standardsSupport ...

All JobsCreative Writing Professor JobsCreative Writing Professor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Creative Writing Professor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$43.8K

$82.5K

$139.1K

How much do creative writing professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative writing professor in Chicago, IL is $82,470.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,800.00 and $94,300.00 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 the most commonly searched types of Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL are:

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For Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Creative Writing Professor jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Creative Writing Professor job openings:

Creative Writing Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Writing Professor job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 88% In-person, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,470 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Assistant Professor of English

Chicago, IL • On-site

Chicago State University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Chicago State Universityexternal

$71K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Posting Details
Position Information
Posting Number
F260048P
Open Date
08/28/2026
Close Date
Faculty Rank
Assistant Professor
Title
Assistant Professor of English
Salary
$71,000 Annual
Benefits
This position is eligible for health, dental, life insurance and other benefits through Chicago State University. Click here for a complete list of benefits: https://csu.edu/humanresources/benefits.htm
Is Tenured/ Tenure Track
Yes
Full-time/ Part-time
Full-time
Job Description Summary
Chicago State University (CSU), is the oldest public university in the Chicago metropolitan area. Chicago State University is Illinois' only four-year U.S. Department of Education-designated Predominantly Black Institution (PBI). CSU serves over 1,500 undergraduate students and nearly 900 graduate students. The university is a nationally accredited university with five colleges in Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences and Pharmacy and proudly supports a diverse and non-traditional student population that hails from 28 countries and 36 states.
Discover the latest advancements and milestones achieved by CSU in our Annual Report: https://www.csu.edu/president/annual_report.htm.
Job Summary
The Department of English invites applications for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor specializing in Secondary Education to teach undergraduate and graduate teaching education, literature courses, and general education courses. This is a full-time, 9-month appointment with an August 2026 start.
Job Duties
  • Teach undergraduate and graduate English/literature classes.
  • Teach general education classes.
  • Advise/supervise secondary education English majors.
  • Develop and teach advanced online classes.
  • Participate in ongoing revision and development of the English curriculum at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
  • Provide service to the program, department, college, and university as well as to the profession.

Required Education
PhD or EdD in English Education, Education or closely related discipline.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Minimum of three years of teaching experience in Secondary English Education (grades 9-12).
  • Teaching experience at the undergraduate level as instructor of record.
  • Commitment to working with ethnically and culturally diverse student population.
  • Secondary Education teaching license.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Five or more years of secondary school teaching experience will be given priority
  • Teaching experience at the graduate level as instructor of record in a course in literature/english/education.
  • Experience in mentoring students in the completion of scholarly projects.
  • Experience in developing curriculum.
  • Demonstrated record of pedagogical innovation.
  • Demonstrated record of academic service.
  • Demonstrated academic expertise in one other discipline (digital rhetoric or writing studies).

Special Requirements
Required Supplemental Materials:
1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae3. Teaching PhilosophyUpload a 1-2 page statement describing your approach to teaching creative writing. The statement should address your:
  • Pedagogical philosophy and classroom practices
  • Experience working with diverse student populations
  • Strategies for teaching craft, workshop, and revision
  • Commitment to inclusive, student-centered learning environment

4.Sample Research PublicationUpload a 10-25 page sample of original published research.
5. List of 3 ReferencesUpload a list of three professional references that includes: Name, Title and institutional affiliation, Email address, and Phone number
*Letters of recommendation will be requested at a later stage of the search process. Please do not upload letters at this time.

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