UCLA Extension is considered one of the top programs of its kind, offering to more than 35,000 students per year approximately 4,500 classes and non-degree certificate programs to meet the professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the full spectrum of nontraditional students as well as companies and organizations throughout and beyond the Los Angeles region.
UCLA Extension is the open-access, self-supporting continuing education division of UCLA. The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a wide variety of certificate programs and courses, including post-baccalaureate credit-bearing (400-level), continuing education (CEU) credit, and non-credit bearing general interest courses.
Course disciplines in the Writers’ Program span subject areas such as Fiction and Nonfiction Writing, Poetry, Screenwriting (Film and TV), Editing & Publishing, and more. Our courses and certificate programs offer students the opportunity to learn from highly qualified practitioners who are passionate about teaching.
Applications to teach are accepted throughout the year in order to fill immediate program needs and to increase the depth of the instructor pool, but interviews will only be scheduled with qualified applicants who can fill anticipated openings.
Writers’ Program Instructor
Qualified applicants possessing current knowledge in the following topic area(s) - for adults - are encouraged to apply. For a sense of the depth and breadth of our course offerings, visit Writing Courses & Certificates | UCLA Extension.
Writers' Program instructors develop syllabi from an established template, design courses, serve as instructor of record, evaluate student work, facilitate classroom discussion, present lectures, develop learning ads and tools, select and host guest speakers, comply with established policies and procedures, and complete required university compliance trainings as directed.
Creative Writing
All instructors in this field have documented publications (books, periodicals, and/or literary magazines), and we are especially interested in those with current/recent publications in order to help students understand and navigate the evolving landscape of this field. Prior teaching experience is preferred.
- Fiction (novels, short stories)
- Nonfiction (creative nonfiction, memoir, personal essay)
- Poetry
- Writing for Young Readers (picture books, middle grade, young adult)
Screenwriting
All instructors in this field have documented produced scripts (features, teleplays, etc), and we are especially interested in those with current/recent productions in order to help students understand and navigate the evolving landscape of this field. Prior teaching experience is preferred.
- Features
- Television (half hour, one hour)
- Graphic novels (and comics)
- Podcasting
- Video Game Writing/Narrative Design
Editing & Publishing
All instructors in this field have documented professional experience as a professional staff member of a publisher or press, not including self-publishing and vanity presses, and we are especially interested in those with current/recent experience in order to help students understand and navigate the evolving landscape of this field. Prior teaching experience is preferred.
- Copyediting
- Developmental editing
- Editorial management
Written Communication
All instructors in this field have prior teaching experience in English composition at the college level and an advanced degree (Master’s or higher).
- Expository Writing
- Persuasive Writing
Classes can be online (live or asynchronous formats) or in person in Westwood or Downtown Los Angeles. Classes held with live instruction meet once a week for 10 weeks, typically in evenings and on weekends. Asynchronous online classes are deadline-driven and have no class meetings. Many in person courses also take advantage of the online course format for distributing course materials, syllabi, assignments, and feedback.
- Complete annual and biannual University compliance trainings by the deadlines set by Human Resources.
- Develop or update course syllabus to meet campus approval requirements, in consultation with the UCLA Extension Program Director and Program Manager.
- Use subject-matter expertise to impart knowledge to students and leverage additional resources appropriately to enhance the curriculum (i.e. make arrangements for guest speakers, etc.)
- Design interactive and motivational classroom activities to fully engage participants and to reinforce student learning
- Update materials periodically, and regularly monitor course evaluations in order to make adjustments and improvements to the curriculum.
- Utilize Canvas as a course support platform in in-person courses, and as the delivery platform in online and hybrid courses.
- Post final student grades to the transcript system in a timely manner, no later than 2 weeks after course end date.
- Respond to student questions and learning needs within 24 hours.
- Communicate with Program Director and Program Staff in a timely manner.
- Complete required administrative tasks in a timely manner including: completing all new hire paperwork, submitting updated quarterly syllabus, posting bio and photo on the UCLA Extension website, accepting quarterly contract, submitting required textbook orders, and communicating classroom needs to the appropriate people.
- Participate in required orientations and instructor training programs.
- Assisting in occasional program activities such as competition/scholarship judging, guest lecturing, community events, script consultations (for additional compensation), etc.
- Employ culturally competent teaching methodologies and inclusive teaching strategies in the classroom inclusive of both domestic and international student populations.
- Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in the field of instruction.
- Respond to student inquiries about final grades and consult with Program Director as needed.
- Maintain a record of final grades for up to 13 months following the last class session.
Instructors are hired on a quarterly contract basis.
Compensation starts at $2,204 per course, paid monthly on the first day of the month. Compensation rates vary based on unit valuation and instructional hours of courses.
Because Extension is a division of UCLA, all Extension degree-credit instructors and courses must be formally approved according to the regulations of the Academic Senate of the University of California. Eligibility to teach a course is contingent upon this formal academic approval. Once approved, teaching assignments are “by agreement” on a quarter-by-quarter basis. The Instructor’s Contract outlines the deliverables for the course, the course schedule, and the compensation terms, subject to Extension policies and procedures. UCLA Extension makes no commitment to hire an instructor until it has sent and received a signed Instructor Contract. Should the course section an instructor plans to teach be cancelled for any reason, the Instructor Contract, including rights to compensation for future section meetings, is voided.
In an effort to promote and maintain a healthy environment for our students, visitors and employees, UCLA is a smoke-free site. Smoking is prohibited within the boundaries of all UCLA owned, occupied, leased, and associated building and facilities.
Employment as a UCLA Extension Instructor is dictated by contract terms and conditions. Please take the time to read the UCLA Extension Instructor Employment Policies.
For information on UCLA Extension instructor benefits, please visit Pay, Benefits, & Privileges.
