Job description
Department
Social Work
About the University
Established in 1965, Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver) was founded to serve students who were underrepresented in higher education whose life paths and experiences did not fit the traditional mold. Sixty years later, the University continues to serve over 16,000 of Colorado’s extraordinary and diverse students, providing them with the foundation on which to build their unique aspirations. As the third largest public institution of higher education in Colorado, MSU Denver is a model university for today’s college students.
Proud of its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado, the University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.
At MSU Denver, we are committed to our CADRE values: Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all community members are valued and belong. Our dedication to breaking down barriers to education, fostering open dialogue, and promoting world-class scholarship ensures that we provide exceptional services and innovative learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff.
About the Department of Social Work
The mission of the Department of Social Work is to provide an inclusive, inspiring environment for undergraduate, graduate, and community education in social work that is value driven, research informed, culturally responsive, academically rigorous, and which links theory with practice.
The Department of Social Work at MSU Denver prides itself on a richly talented faculty comprised of teacher-scholars who are highly dedicated to support students in growing as social work scholars, practitioners, and leaders in the multitude of settings. MSU Denver faculty have expertise in culturally responsive practice that is relationally based. We are actively interrogating and revising our curriculum to reflect anti-oppressive practices while educating our students for the provision of effective clinical social work services with diverse communities in micro, mezzo and macro settings serving vulnerable and underserved populations. We work to actively to engage in anti-racist practices in all aspects of our programming; faculty members are encouraged to actively engage in our aspirations to dismantle systems of oppression. While we seek demonstrated ability and experience teaching social work theory, practice, and/or research related courses, priority will be given to applicants with research methods, program evaluation and project-based learning course experience.
Position Summary
The Department of Social Work at MSU Denver is seeking applicants for a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty appointment beginning Fall 2026. This position is an in person, on campus lecturer role that has the potential for renewal.
Individuals hired will be eligible to apply for our internal Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Faculty Fellowship positions. These individuals will receive release time from teaching to serve our department’s mission to serve students and our community with a focus on HSI initiatives specifically. In addition, fellows will receive formal mentorship supporting their success in academia. The HSI Fellowship applicants must have previous teaching, practice or research experience demonstrating a commitment to communities whose primary language is Spanish.
Responsibilities
The successful candidates will serve in the areas of departmental need, candidate qualifications, and expertise.
- Teaching will consist of 30 semester credits per academic year. Teaching may include online, face to face, and hybrid instruction. The successful candidate will take on lead faculty responsibilities for specific courses and will be responsible for updating and modifying online and on campus course materials. Advising responsibilities include carrying a student advising load of approximately 40 students for which you are responsible to perform and document career and professional advising.
- Service work in the form of meetings to stay up to date on departmental processes related to teaching and student needs is expected. The candidate is expected to maintain an active service involvement in professional organizations and/or the community.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Master of Social Work (MSW/MSSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited institution (or evaluated by CSWE International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES)
- Two (2) years relevant post-MSW experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous teaching, practice, or research experience with first generation college students, historically underrepresented groups and/or experience serving within an HSI, HBCU, or Tribal College
- Demonstrated experience in teaching about issues of privilege and oppression, social justice, racial justice, social inequalities, and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
- Demonstrated ability to teach graduate level courses
- Experience developing and organizing college courses
- Experience in online teaching, course design, and working within an LMS
- Available to teach in-person courses
We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We are most interested in finding the candidate who will best contribute to our Department and the University.
Salary for Announcement
The salary range for this faculty position is $55,000 – $62,000 at Lecturer level. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, education, experience, discipline, specialty, and training.
MSU Denver offers excellent benefits that include medical, dental, retirement, tuition benefit, free RTD pass, and more. For a brief overview of these options, please visit our Benefits section.
Deadline
Priority will be given to applications received through Monday, June 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM MST; applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Closing Date
Open Until Filled
Posting Representative
Carlos Alcala
Posting Representative Email
[email protected]
Benefits
The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.
For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf.
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected].
Background Checks
Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.
Diversity Statement
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.
We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.
How to apply
Interested applicants must apply online at MSU Denver’s career site, https://msudenver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/MSUDenver and search for JR105221.
To support a thorough evaluation of your qualifications and potential contributions as a faculty member, please upload the following required materials:
1. Curriculum vitae
2. Cover letter
3. Unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned
4. Teaching philosophy (2 pages max). Please detail your interest and/or prior experience with teaching diverse adult learners. Describe three values that guide your teaching practices, focusing on engagement with diverse students and how you will foster an inclusive classroom environment that removes barriers and promotes equitable access and advancement. You may include examples from past experiences teaching and/or mentoring students.
5. References. Please include the names and contact information for three professional references.
Important Note: Due to volume of applications received, only applications completed as outlined above will be considered. Please ensure you have uploaded all required documents into the Resume/Cover letter section of the application. A maximum of 5 files can be uploaded; you may combine some documents together or combine all documents into one pdf file if needed.
References will not be contacted until later in the search process and only with the candidate’s permission.
Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.
