Communications lecturer
Also known as: communications instructor, higher education communications teacher, professor of communications, communications lector, communications docent, professor of communication
About this occupation
Communications lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, communications, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, grading papers and exams and leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their field of communications, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- provide information on study programmes
- guarantee students' safety
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- give constructive feedback
- liaise with educational staff
- apply teaching strategies
- demonstrate when teaching
- prepare lesson content
- communication sciences
- communication studies
- teach communication sciences
- compile course material
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Communications Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1122.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as public speaking, media criticism, and oral traditions.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Artistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Instructing, Active Listening, Writing, Learning Strategies
US median pay: US$78,580 a year (2025), 29,420 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaExtremely important (5.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.8)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.3)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyImportant (3.1)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.0)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Instructional Coordinators
- Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.