As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 5,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and approximately 2,000 undergraduates declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Most of our departments, programs and schools offer masters or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The diverse scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society.
The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Denver offers students a robust understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society. With its emphasis on developing strong communication skills across various platforms and its grounding in the critical evaluation of media practices, the department’s offerings prepare students for the pursuit of excellence in the constantly evolving media, film, strategic communication, and journalism professions. The Department offers undergraduates degrees in film studies and production, journalism studies, media studies, and strategic communication (public relations). At the graduate level, the Department offers a Master of Arts in Media and Public Communication (strategic communication or media and globalization emphasis) and a Master of Arts in International and Intercultural Communication.
Position Summary
The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor in Film Studies and Production beginning in September 2026. Eligible candidates will have received a Ph.D. or MFA. The successful candidate will teach five in-person, undergraduate courses over three quarters during the academic year, with a focus on film and video production, and engage in departmental, College, and University service. The successful candidate will teach courses in the Film and Video Production and Studies major and in the University’s common curriculum. Candidates who are interested will also have the opportunity to teach in the department’s graduate programs. Possible courses include Intro to Film Production, Narrative Film Production 1 & 2, Intro to Screenwriting, and Directing. The successful candidate must have substantial professional credits working on films and/or television and be able to employ a range of techniques to teach the art and craft of filmmaking to students. Candidates who focus their film work on underrepresented groups and social issues are especially encouraged to apply.
Essential Functions
- Teach 5 in-person courses over three quarters, with an emphasis on film and video production
- Meet outside of class in weekly office hours to provide guidance and assistant to students enrolled in courses taught
- Assign and grade coursework as appropriate
- Mentor students in the classroom and on set
- Deploy best practices for classroom technology through the University of Denver’s learning management software, Canvas
- Demonstrate active engagement in filmmaking/creative work
- Engage in active service to the department, College, University and profession
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to teach in-person/face-to-face film production and study courses
- Ability to teach 5 courses over 3 quarters each year.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse student and community populations
- Demonstrated record of creative activity
- Demonstrated commitment to innovative curriculum development focused on the future of the media industries
- Dedication to professional development and staying abreast of technological changes facing the media industry
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. or MFA in Film Studies/Production, Communication, Media Studies, Mass Communication or related disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience teaching in a film studies and production/media studies/mass communication department.
- Prior experience teaching film and video production courses and introductory level film criticism courses.
- 3-5 years of creative experience in film and video productions
- Demonstrated expertise in intersectional approaches to film and society.
- Demonstrated record of successful teaching at the collegiate level
Working Environment
- Standard office environment.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities
- Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance.
Work Schedule
While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar).
Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 1, 2025.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade
The salary grade for the position is UC.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $78,000-$82,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.
Please include the following documents with your application:
- Letter of Interest that describes teaching interests and other qualifications, including a statement about the significance of the candidate’s work (maximum of 2 pages)
- Curriculum Vitae/resume
- Samples of creative work; a portfolio or a reel
- Teaching Statement, including philosophy and experience (maximum of 2 pages).
- Names and contact information for three references that the committee can contact by phone
- Records of teaching excellence, including student course evaluations if available
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.