New Jersey Communication Association’s Adjunct/Contingent Faculty Certification Program: What Makes a Communication Classroom?

Authors

Christopher Lynch, Kean University
Anita Foeman, West Chester University
Theresa Nance, Villanova University

Abstract

The New Jersey Communication Association’s Adjunct/ Contingent Faculty Certification program provides a place of reflection for potential adjunct or contingent faculty and prepares them for teaching in a communication classroom. New Jersey state law requires an oral communication course for every college student. Disciplinary departments who may not have a direct connection with the field of communication often sponsor and teach these classes. Recruiting potential candidates to teach a communication class raises challenges for administrators and department chairs especially when many sections of the course are needed. The perception of non-communication administrators is sometimes that anyone can teach this core course. The danger is that our disciplinary focus is lost in the process. This article describes need and implementation of this two year certification program and some issues that potential communication faculty might reflect on. While not required it provides one more credential to potential candidates. It concludes with a discussion of how a communication classroom differs from other academic classrooms.

Recommended Citation

Lynch, C., Foeman, A., & Nance, T. (2019). New Jersey communication association’s adjunct/contingent faculty certification program: What makes a communication classroom? Journal of the Association for Communication Administration, 38(1), 23-36.