MSW Adjunct Faculty Pool 2026-27 (External)

Portland State University; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading public university is seeking MSW Adjunct Faculty for the 2026-27 academic year to teach in their social work programs. Candidates must have an MSW or related degree and two years of post-degree experience. The role includes preparing course materials, engaging with students, and grading assignments. Applicants are expected to live in Oregon or Washington. This position provides an opportunity to contribute to a diverse academic environment with a focus on social justice and community partnership.

Qualifications

• MSW or MA in Social Work and two years post-degree practice in the field of social services.
• Two or more years in combination of the following: faculty liaison; practicum instructor; staff supervisor; or social work educator in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Prepare course syllabi and update prior to the course open date.
• Grade and return papers and provide feedback within a reasonable time.
• Attend orientations to teaching and course preparations.
• Contact students in the first week to introduce yourself.
• Respond to student inquiries in a timely manner and engage online discussions.

Skills

Direct social work practice

Organizational skills

Multicultural competence

Teaching experience

Education

M.S. or M.A. in Social Work

Job description

MSW Adjunct Faculty Pool 2026-27 (External)

Please submit a brief cover letter, resume/CV, and 3 professional references (contact name, phone number and email address). In your cover letter specify areas of expertise, teaching interests (specific targeted populations if any), what makes you qualified to teach in these areas, and evidence of teaching/training effectiveness if applicable.

NOTE: The applicants for the School of Social Work Adjunct Posting will be in an open pool. If you have not been contacted about your application, it will remain active in the pool for the remainder of the academic year. Per above, there are no guarantees that the school will be hiring for any particular course. Adjunct positions are required to re-apply to PSU every academic year. All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.

The MSW Program will collect applications on an ongoing basis to fill vacancies throughout the academic year. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.

Position Announcement

Proposed Start Date

Proposed Start Date 09/16/2026

Working Title

Working Title MSW Adjunct Faculty Pool 2026-27 (External)

Department

Position Number

Position Number D97731

Representation

Representation AP - AFT, Local 3571

Position Summary

The PSU School of Social Work (SSW) envisions a world where all people lead fulfilling lives in affirming, just and equitable communities. Rooted in justice, relationship, and community collaboration, PSU SSW advances knowledge and creates social change through teaching, research, practice, and advocacy. Our core values and beliefs include collective care, responsive learning, knowledge that serves, community partnership, and social change. The SSW provides accessible interdisciplinary educational opportunities and actively works to bring about structural change through its teaching, training, workforce development, research, and advocacy. The SSW includes three undergraduate majors: Human Services, Child, Youth, and Family Studies, and BSW and two graduate programs: MSW and PhD.

The PSU Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is ranked among the top 25% of all social work programs nationally, and serves students across the U.S. through its online option and statewide through its on campus and satellite options. The MSW Program prepares master’s social workers for practice and leadership with diverse individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.

This position is open to subject matter experts interested in teaching on campus in Portland, in our online program, or in our satellite educational centers in Bend and Eugene, Oregon. Applicants who demonstrate an interest in and ability to realize the mission, values, and vision of the School are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly those with knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to racial equity and critical, anti-oppressive, and social justice-oriented frameworks. Each academic year, the School of Social Work recruits a part time faculty workforce pool to teach in our various educational programs. We look for candidates whose qualifications, expertise, and interest match our teaching needs. We do not guarantee we can match applicants with their preferred courses only, we look to hire instructors who can teach across the curriculum. We are committed to hiring a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Persons with lived experience from communities of color, women, persons with disabilities, low-income communities, veterans, LGBTQ community members and members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Indian tribes are encouraged to apply.

The MSW Program will collect applications on an ongoing basis to fill vacancies throughout the academic year. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.

Part Time Faculty/Adjunct Instructor Duties Include:

• Attend orientations to teaching and course preparations
• Prepare course syllabi and update prior to the course open date, or the first day of class
• Prepare and personalize course shell for instruction on Canvas (LMS) prior to course open date, including developing introductory video, assignment explanation videos, and ten weekly content videos for online courses
• Make contact with students enrolled in their courses within the first week of the term to introduce self
• Respond to student emails or phone calls and acknowledge their requests for assistance in timely manner
• For online courses, faculty are in contact with students at least three times per week and engaged with student discussion boards
• Grade and return papers, providing robust feedback within a reasonable time for assignments submitted in Canvas
• Provide required office hours for students to meet with you in person or online, online students tend to need evening and weekend options
• Address observed student conduct concerns (professional, ethical, or academic) in a timely manner
• Submit final course grades on Canvas for each student in assigned class.

Minimum Qualifications

M.S. or M.A. in Social Work (or closely related field) and two years post-degree practice experience in the field of social services.

Seminar and Liaison positions require: two or more years in combination of the following: – faculty liaison; or – BSW / MSW practicum instructor; or – staff supervisor; or – social work educator, trainer or community member in service to social work higher education.

All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous graduate teaching experience.

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.

• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.

• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement

• Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Required Professional Standards of Conduct

At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at www.pdx.edu/hr/professional-standards-conduct.

Compensation

Compensation Adjunct faculty are paid per credit hour, per the AFT Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Application Instructions & Additional Information

Please submit a brief cover letter, resume/CV, and 3 professional references (contact name, phone number and email address). In your cover letter specify areas of expertise, teaching interests (specific targeted populations if any), what makes you qualified to teach in these areas, and evidence of teaching/training effectiveness if applicable.

NOTE: The applicants for the School of Social Work Adjunct Posting will be in an open pool. If you have not been contacted about your application, it will remain active in the pool for the remainder of the academic year. Per above, there are no guarantees that the school will be hiring for any particular course. Adjunct positions are required to re-apply to PSU every academic year. All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.

The MSW Program will collect applications on an ongoing basis to fill vacancies throughout the academic year. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle?

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No

Background Check Required Yes

Posting Close Date

Projected Close Date for Posting

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you interested in teaching and have expertise in direct social work practice?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you interested in teaching and have expertise in macro social work practice - policy, communities and organizations, advocacy?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you interested in teaching and have expertise in social justice and racial equity?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you interested in teaching and have expertise in research?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a Master's Degree in Social Work?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a PhD or DSW in social work or related discipline (e.g., public health, human development/family studies, education)?
  • Yes
  • No
• * How did you first find out about this position?
  • PSU website
  • Indeed
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • HERCJobs
  • Referral
  • Professional Listserv- please specify in comment box in the next question
  • Professional Journal- please specify in comment box in the next question
  • Other- please specify in comment box in the next question
• If you selected Other, please describe.

• (Open Ended Question)

• Do you have University teaching experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• Would you be interested in co-teaching with an experienced instructor (pay will be based on shared teaching load)?
  • Yes
  • No
• What is your preferred instructional delivery?
  • In Person
  • Online
  • No Preference
• If you prefer to teach online, do you have the flexibility to meet with students online after hours and on weekends?
  • Yes
  • No
• If you prefer to teach in person, what location is preferred?
  • Portland
  • Bend
  • Eugene
  • All of the above
• What practice areas are you interested in teaching?
  • Direct/Clinical
  • Macro/Advocacy
  • Both micro/macro
  • Targeted Population specialization
  • Research
  • All of the above
• Are you interested in teaching and have expertise in direct social work practice in the generalist or advanced clinical practice sequence? Two years post-MSW practice is required.
  • Yes
  • No
• Are you interested in teaching, and do you have the requirements for, practicum seminar and faculty liaison? Requires: two or more years combined –Practicum liaison; BSW/MSW practicum instructor; Staff supervisor; or Social work educator, trainer or community member in service to social work higher education.
  • Yes
  • No

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled