Adjunct Lecturer, Public Relations

Position Description & Overview: 

The Girard School of Business at Merrimack College has an opening for an online bachelor completion program course: Principles of Public Relations, for an 8-week online session in the Spring 2027 semester.  

Principles of Public Relations (COM3401-OM) Online, asynchronous  

This course will run for 8 weeks, beginning either on January 13, 2027 or March 15, 2027. 

Course descriptions: 

Principles of Public Relations (COM3401):  This course presents an overview of basic public relations principles, concepts and relation of theory and practice. Students will explore the field of professional public relations covering the role, origin and trends affecting the future of the practice. Special emphasis will be placed on problem solving and the tools and techniques of the trade as applied to real-life situations. The scope of the course will also examine the foundations of public relations as a communications discipline, as understood historically in the role of society, public opinion, effective strategy and tactics, process, identification of public, publicity techniques, and effective use of media. Moreover, the course will address ethical and legal implications of the profession.  

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business or related area, Ph.D. preferred. College teaching experience is preferred, although related work experience may be considered. 

Application Materials Should Include:

• Cover letter (with availability) stating motivation and interest in the position.

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).

• Syllabi (if applicable) 

• Teaching evaluations (past two years only).

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Compensation

Minimum: $5,000 per 4-credit course

Minimum: $3,750 per lab section

The actual pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, candidate qualifications and prior experience, scope of responsibilities, internal equity, and market considerations.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue. 

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students from 46 states and 45 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused academic programs in science, engineering, business, nursing, health sciences, education, social sciences and humanities across undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business, and the Graduate School of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 37th in the Regional Universities North category in 2025. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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