Community College Instructor

Question: I just completed a master's degree program in English literature and am hoping to one day publish the Great American Novel. Realistically, I need a job that can keep me afloat while I work on my book. I have thought of working as a community college instructor. Could you give me information on job requirements as well as the earnings of community college instructors?
— Jamie

Response: Minimum job requirements for community college instructors depend on the subject taught.

A master's degree is required for English, Business, Humanities, Political Science, Accounting, Nursing, Sociology, and Biology.

One may also qualify by having a bachelor's degree in the discipline and a master's degree in a closely related discipline.

According to the Glendale Community College District web site, a candidate can qualify for a part-time English instructor position in one of the following ways:

• Master's degree in English or

• Bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in linguistics, or speech, education with a specialization in reading, creative writing, journalism or the equivalent.

Currently, the Los Angeles Community College District has an opening for a full-time faculty English instructor, and Santa Monica Community College District and Glendale Community College District each have an opening for a part-time English instructor.

Job Resources
Contact local community college districts for further information:

Los Angeles Community College District

District Office

770 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles CA 90017-3896

(213) 891-2000

(213) 891-2213

Academic Personnel x2402

www.laccd.edu

The district has nine community colleges. There is an online listing of academic jobs. Applications for teaching positions are accepted on a continuous basis. Applicants for hourly-rate positions may apply to the district monthly rate pool or apply directly to the college. Applications are kept on file for two years.

Los Angeles Community College District Compensation
Beginning pay for a part-time instructor with a master's degree is approximately $47 per hour. They are allowed to teach a maximum of 30 hours per month, 120 per semester. This equates to $5,600 per semester.

Beginning pay for a permanent full-time instructor with a master's degree is approximately $4,400 per month. This equates to $16,800 per semester, approximately $44,000 per year. Permanent teachers are allowed to teach a maximum of 120 hours per month.

Part-time instructors who teach at least three units per semester over three semesters qualify for a 40% discount on medical benefits. Permanent instructors who teach at least four units per semester over three semesters qualify for a 50% discount on medical benefits.

Santa Monica Community College District

2714 Pico Blvd., Suite 210

Santa Monica, CA

(310) 434-4415

Academic Personnel: (310) 434-4417

Fax (310) 434-4256

www.smc.edu

The district provides an online listing of academic job openings. Applications for full-time teaching positions are accepted every January.

Santa Monica Community College District Compensation
Beginning pay for a part-time instructor with a master's degree is approximately $58 per hour. They are allowed to teach a maximum of 36 hours per month, 144 per semester. This equates to $8,400 per semester.

Beginning pay for full-time faculty with a master's degree is approximately $4,000 per month. This equates to $16,000 per semester, approximately $40,000 per year. Permanent teachers are allowed to teach a maximum of 120 hours per month.

Part-time instructors teaching at least five units per semester over three semesters qualify for 100% medical, dental or vision benefits. Permanent monthly instructors automatically qualify for 100% medical, dental and vision benefits.

Glendale Community College District

1500 North Verdugo Road

Glendale CA 91208

(818) 240-1000

www.glendale.edu

The district provides an online listing of academic job openings. Candidates can download an application and mail it to the human resources department. Applications are kept on file for one year.

Glendale Community College District Compensation
Beginning pay for a part-time instructor with a master's degree is approximately $44 per hour. They are allowed to teach a maximum of 36 hours per month, 144 per semester. This equates to $6,300 per semester.

Beginning pay for permanent full-time instructors with a master's degree is approximately $4,000 per month. This equates to $16,000 per semester, approximately $40,000 per year. Permanent teachers are allowed to teach a maximum of 120 hours per month.

Additional Job Resources
Contact the following community college districts in the Los Angeles County area for employment information:

Cerritos Community College District

www.cerritos.edu

Citrus Community College District

www.citruscollege.edu

Compton Community College District

www.compton.cc.ca.us

El Camino Community College District

www.elcamino.edu

Long Beach Community College District

www.lbcc.cc.ca.us

Pasadena Area Community College District

www.pasadena.edu

Rio Hondo Community College District

www.riohondo.edu

Employment Outlook
Above average growth is projected through 2010 for post-secondary teachers, including community college instructors.

Job Description
Community College Instructors provide advanced instruction in specific subject areas.

They follow a teaching outline with noted lecture topics, reading assignments, and exam dates. They lecture, demonstrate and may use materials to supplement presentations.

Community College Instructors assess students through examinations and homework assignments. They advise and mentor students as needed. They may also participate in department and district committee meetings
 
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.