Abstract
This essay reports findings from a survey of small college communication programs and examines the professional conditions experienced by faculty in these institutions. Drawing on responses from nearly half of the departments surveyed, the analysis identifies typical institutional characteristics, including small enrollments, limited departmental staffing, and heavy teaching responsibilities that require faculty to manage multiple course preparations. The essay documents the breadth of communication curricula, noting the ubiquity of the basic course and the variable presence of offerings in interpretation, media production, public speaking, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication. It also reports the extensive non teaching obligations that shape faculty work, such as advising, committee service, student organization involvement, and community engagement. Respondents identified low salaries, high workload, limited resources, and constrained opportunities for disciplinary specialization as persistent challenges. At the same time, they emphasized the advantages of close student relationships, institutional community, curricular flexibility, and diverse teaching assignments. The essay concludes by outlining implications for graduate preparation, underscoring the need for broad disciplinary training, explicit attention to effective teaching, and commitment to the basic course as a central component of departmental identity in small colleges.
Recommended Citation
Hay, Ellen
(1985)
"The Small College as a Career Option: Teaching at a Small College,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 54, Article 9.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol54/iss1/9
Accessibility Statement
This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2026, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.
