Master Science Jobs in Bellingham, WA (NOW HIRING)

Position Title Communication Studies - Non-Tenure Track Faculty Vacancy Pool About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Communication Studies support Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity. The Department currently has 10 full-time and additional part-time faculty serving approximately 200 undergraduate majors. Our teaching, scholarship, and service nurture inclusive discourse, critical thinking, and cooperative solutions in a diverse global community. About the Position

The Department of Communication Studies maintains a vacancy pool of qualified persons interested in temporary teaching positions. In anticipation of possible openings throughout the academic year, applications are accepted continuously for temporary non-tenure track teaching positions on a part-time basis. Positions may become available at any time and are typically filled on a quarterly basis. Successful candidates will have the ability to teach a combination of classes in communication theory, intercultural, interpersonal, health, small group, organizational, and mass communication.    

The department, college, and university value teaching, and we expect you to be an excellent teacher; to be current in your discipline; to engage students actively in their own learning including discussion, writing, and analysis; and to set high standards regarding course content. You are expected to provide students with feedback on their coursework and examinations, and to be available to students through regularly scheduled office hours in keeping with department policy. You must have your students evaluate your course(s) using the standard University evaluation forms, or others approved by the provost, and you must make those evaluations available to the department chairs and faculty for annual review.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Communication Studies or related field; 
• Evidence of effective teaching at the college or the university level;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse students and staff, including a demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies or related field;
• Evidence of effective teaching at the college or the university level in a combination of these courses: Communication theory, intercultural, interpersonal, health, small group, organizational, and mass communication.

Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Salary

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits Information Benefits Overview for Faculty Positions

Bargaining Unit

 United Faculty of Western Washington

Application Instructions

To be considered for the position, application materials must be submitted via WWU's PageUp, Western's online employment management system. Candidates should upload the following as part of a complete application:

1. Letter of application specifically addressing their qualifications.
2. CV.
3. Separate statement addressing their demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning and working environments that are equitable and inclusive of students, faculty, and staff with diverse social identities and backgrounds; and evidencing their commitment to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students (refer to WWU's ADEI webpage).
4. Evidence of successful teaching (e.g., philosophy on teaching, student evaluations, course materials, etc.).
5. Graduate transcripts.
6. Contact information of three references.

For questions regarding the position, application process, or department, contact Christa Schulz, Department Manager, at 360-650-2670 or Christa.Schulz@wwu.edu.

Closing Date Notes

Applications are accepted continuously for potential NTT faculty openings; please apply at your earliest convenience.  Vacancy pool closes no later than October 31, 2026.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU's Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at student.life@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.