Position Overview
An instructor in the School of Social Welfare serves in a part- time capacity with responsibility for teaching content in person (on the Lawrence Campus and/or the Edwards Campus), online, or a combination of both in person/online in the school's curriculum area social work practice, social welfare policy, human behavior, research, race/social and economic justice, or an elective in the area of the individual's expertise. Classes are taught to students at the BSW and MSW degree level. Amount of work required can vary by position and will range from .10 FTE to 1.0 FTE.

The Instructor is an instructional, adjunct faculty position that is not eligible for tenure or promotion in rank. This is a term appointment for the Summer 2026 semester. Renewal will be based upon unit needs and funding as well as performance that meets expectations, not to exceed two continuous semesters.

Applicants will be reviewed and considered for teaching in the upcoming semester and as future needs arise.

Please outline in your cover letter courses/topics you are interested in teaching and your qualifications for doing so.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT. UAKU is the exclusive representative. As the State of Kansas is a right to work state, you have the right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. prior to the start date of the position.

The KU SSW is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive educational environment for students, faculty, and staff. We also encourage our school community members to engage in service with the larger community to share and facilitate ideas to foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. The successful candidate will have a commitment to creating a climate of belonging. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications from members of all groups in higher education.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Minnesota, Idaho, and Delaware. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.



Job Description
100% Instructional Duties. Teach in the BSW and/or MSW program in content areas within the School of Social Welfare. Class availability depends on Campus and program level. Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Attending instructor orientation and trainings
• Planning and organization of the course, including syllabus preparation and approval by faculty mentor, textbook acquisition, etc.
• Instruction through the semester
• Administration of tests and assignments, including grading
• Being available to students through office hours and/or individual appointments
• Assigning and posting final grades
• Participating in School of Social Welfare curriculum development as appropriate

Required Qualifications
For teaching undergraduate social work practice classes: An MSW from an accredited program with a record of achievement indicating at least 5 years post-MSW experience.

For teaching undergraduate social work non-practice classes: An MSW from an accredited program with a record of achievement indicating at least 3 years post-MSW experience.

For teaching social work clinical or macro practice classes at the master's level: An MSW from an accredited program with a record of achievement indicating at least 5 years post MSW experience.

For teaching social work non-practice classes at the master's level: An MSW from an accredited program with a record of achievement indicating at least 3 years post MSW experience.

For teaching ALL classes:
Previous work experience that required the ability to conceptualize the curriculum area. Previous work experience that required the ability to organize multiple tasks. Strong communication skills as demonstrated in application materials and interview. A commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive educational environment for all students.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.



Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience with training, educating, and/or curriculum development in a professional role.
2. Successful classroom teaching experience in a social work degree program.
3. Experience using Canvas

Contact Information to Applicants
Dana Shafer
dshafer@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction
A complete application includes an online application, resume, cover letter - including a statement on teaching philosophy, and contact information for three references. Please outline in your cover letter courses/topics you are interested in teaching and your qualifications.


Advertised Salary Range
Minimum $4,500 per course
Application Review Begins
02-Jun-2026
Primary Campus
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE
.20
Reg/Temp
Temporary
Employee Class
F-Faculty
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.