How to land a part-time college teaching job

April 17, 2009 6:23 AM

I've got an MPA and want to find a part-time teaching gig at a Community College or the like. I need some advice on a few things.

Absent a PA program at a school where I might apply, are there any other fields that an MPA might be qualified to teach? The only disciplines that seem likely to me are Political Science and Humanities. Would an MPA even be considered for a post in those departments?

I'm not looking for just anything- I feel like I could do a good job at introductory PoliSci or Humanities. Would it be worthwhile to emphasize that my MPA program was part of the PoliSci department?

Also, I'm a little mystified by the process. I can apply for a job in non-academia without fear, but I'm a little nervous about this. The CC websites I've looked at have online applications, but I'm not convinced I'm qualified and therefore a little scared to follow up with a phone call for some reason. Is following up like you would for a private-sector job standard protocol? I've got one application in right now. Is there anything else I should know about the mechanics of applying for and landing a position like this?

I'm located in DFW, so I'm looking at CCCCD and DCCCD. Any anecdotes about those institutions, or community colleges in general would be welcome.

Thanks a ton!

posted by Shohn to Education (6 answers total)

I can't speak to your specific field or even situation, but I can tell you that I taught several semesters an a community college in NJ as an adjunct professor. I lack teaching credentials -- didn't go to school for that, but my experience is such that I was hired on to teach two classes: one in web design (Flash, Dreamweaver, etc) and one in Film Pre-production (storyboarding techinques). All I am saying is, you might get your foot in the door that way.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 7:33 AM on April 17, 2009

This may not be true in TX, but in the states I have taught in (MA, MO, & IL). Community Colleges require 18 credit hours of graduate work in the subject area that you want to teach in. You might have better luck with small 4 year institutions or 4 year institutions that offer evening programs.
posted by hworth at 7:39 AM on April 17, 2009

Best answer: In my CC English department, we'll hire adjuncts who have advanced degrees in other subjects but have taken 18 graduate hours in the appropriate discipline. These requirements are mandated by both our accreditation demands and the transfer agreements we have in place with our state's four-year colleges. But we're permitted some latitude in defining "appropriate." For example, we've accepted coursework in rhetoric, classics, research skills, linguistics, and humanities, as long as other parts of the application suggest that the person would be an appropriate fit.

We're also permitted to substitute relevant work experience for coursework if it's appropriate for the class. We've done this for tech and creative writing, for example, but not for literature surveys or college composition. I would assume that disciplines that have more relation to specific professions might consider real life experience equal to, if not preferable to, a teaching background, as Guy_Inamonkeysuit's experience illustrates.

My suggestion would be to submit your application and transcripts online, and then call or email the department chair to explain your background. Some of our better adjuncts are those who have interdisciplinary degrees, but who originally fell through the cracks in HR because they didn't exactly fit the criteria that was created long before these programs became popular. Also, I've talked to applicants who don't meet our requirements and, if possible, put them in contact with departments who might be able to use them. But I prefer to have the application materials in front of me when I speak to people so I can better determine their qualifications.

One caveat - I am usually looking for adjuncts year-round, so I don't mind if applicants contact me before I've gotten their packet from HR. I'm not sure other chairs are as receptive to applicant inquiries, especially if it's easy for them to hire from a pool of traditionally qualified adjuncts.
posted by bibliowench at 8:16 AM on April 17, 2009

Best answer: I teach at both Collin and Dallas, and I second bibliowench's advice. When I got hired on at Collin, I e-mailed my resume and a letter to the English department head and filled out the online application. Note that at DCCCD, you have to apply for each campus, and their HR department is SLOW. At Richland, I just filled out the application and waited. I got a surprise call the next semester. Eastfield and Cedar Valley are usually hiring (though Eastfield just got slapped by SACS for having having too many adjuncts (and too few full timers). You might also look at NCTC--they have a Corinth Campus, now, and Navarro (Ellis County) isn't too far, either, though a Tarrant County Campus might be closer.

But yeah, both DCCCD and Collin want 18 grad hours in your subject. Do try, though, and don't be afraid to follow up. The department heads I work with are very cool and love to have a good adjunct pool.
posted by girlbowler at 10:48 AM on April 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

One word of warning: the economic downturn puts a lot of pressure on community colleges. Many have a hiring freeze in place. Some are turning to low paid adjunct to fill any gaps, and others are leaning on existing full time faculty to pick up workload.

It should be obvious from the HR page which situation your intended employer is in. If there's lots of recent Adjunt / PT postings, you're in luck. If the HR site looks neglected and empty, you might as well contact the relevant department heads asking about the situation. They're more likely to give a response than HR.
posted by pwnguin at 2:26 PM on April 17, 2009

Response by poster: Hey, just as an update, I started this week at Richland College of the DCCCD as an adjunct in Government. So far, I'm having a blast. I appreciate all the advice and anecdata.
posted by Shohn at 7:49 AM on January 23, 2010