Assistant Professor, Social Work - Limited Term

About the Faculty of Health, Community and Education

The Faculty of Health, Community and Education (HCE) is constantly looking forward to an inspired future where our efforts contribute to healthy communities and ultimately improve the quality of life of those with whom we interact. Our unique collection of programs tailored to health, community and education professions, create a compelling collective. Our partnerships with community, and within the post-secondary sector, open up new and exciting avenues that increase access and opportunity, while augmenting the overall student experience. The Faculty of Health, Community and Education is comprised of four departments: School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONM), Health and Physical Education, Child Studies and Social Work (CSSW), and Education, which offer a variety of degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

The Faculty's strategic plan guides the work of each unit, the entire faculty, and our people. Ani to pisi 2030 describes the spider web and the interconnectedness of all people and things. Our strategic plan is available online:

Ani to pisi - Faculty of Health, Community and Education Strategic Plan

Please visit our webpage for additional information related to the Faculty of Health, Community and Education.

About the Department of Child Studies and Social Work

The Social Work Program within the Department of Child Studies and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Community and Education offers a two-year Social Work Diploma and a Bachelor of Social Work with first year and post-diploma entry options. Both the Diploma and the Bachelor of Social Work combine knowledge and skills in Social Work with a strong foundation in liberal education. The degree offers the choice of a generalist or child intervention concentration. This Program prepares students for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. Employed in a diverse range of government, non-profit and community-based agencies, Mount Royal University (MRU) Social Work Diploma and Bachelor of Social Work graduates are eligible to become registered social workers in Alberta. Diploma graduates are also eligible to receive transfer credit to several other Bachelor of Social Work Programs across Canada. Our Faculty provides a teaching and learning environment that welcomes challenging ideas and our Program is committed to anti-oppressive practice and decolonizing the learning experience. Our faculty, staff and leadership are dedicated to providing students with an exceptional learning experience.

About the Role

The Social Work Program invites applications for a 3.5 year Limited Term position which will ideally commence January 4, 2027. This position will be hired at the rank of Assistant Professor. Both the Diploma and the Bachelor of Social Work combine knowledge and skills in social work with a strong foundation in liberal education.

Through the General Education component of its degree and diploma programs, MRU is dedicated to providing students with the understanding and skills that will enable them to succeed in a diversity of workplace settings. Employed in a diverse range of government, non-profit and community-based agencies, MRU Social Work Diploma and Bachelor of Social Work graduates are eligible to become registered social workers in Alberta. Diploma graduates are also eligible to receive transfer credit to several other Bachelor of Social Work programs across Canada. Our Faculty provides a teaching and learning environment that welcomes challenging ideas and our Program is committed to anti-oppressive practice and decolonizing the learning experience. Our faculty, staff and leadership are dedicated to providing students with an exceptional learning experience.

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching/scholarship/service pattern (TSS) which focuses on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member be involved in a research program as well as service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching/service pattern (TS) focuses on teaching and service only. The successful candidate will be hired into the teaching/service pattern (TS).

Qualifications

• A strong interest and the ability to teach and develop social work courses in areas related to clinical, policy and community development practice.
• A depth of experience in generalist and/or child intervention social work practice that may also include one or more of the following areas: Indigenous social work and decolonizing pedagogies; anti-racist and Black social work practice; Francophone communities, newcomer and refugee settlements, and 2SLGBTQIA+.
• A demonstrated commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Decolonization and Indigenization. Applicants are asked to provide evidence of their work with diverse communities across domains such as: social work practice, leadership, collaboration and teaching experience.
• Social Work integrates the Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (CASW and ACSW), adheres to the educational standards and policies of our accrediting body, the Canadian Association for Social Work Education https://caswe-acfts.ca/ and supports the intentions of Mount Royal University:
  • As a signatory to the Scarborough Charter On Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education: Principles, Actions, and Accountabilities,
  • By acknowledging and taking responsibility for action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
• Strong clinical skills and the interest in, and ability to teach in this area would be an asset.
• A proven ability to engage in curriculum development and delivery.
• Commitment to engage in service and Program administration at all levels, including evidence of leadership.
• A required minimum of five (5) years of direct experience as a practicing Social Worker Post-MSW.
• The Social Work Program provides generalist social work education with the option of further immersion in generalist or child intervention social work at the third year. The successful candidate will have the ability to teach across the curriculum. Applicants should indicate areas of specific teaching/practice strengths, which would include anti-oppressive and indigenous perspectives, social justice, and leadership.
• Faculty members from across the University contribute to the delivery of courses in support of the General Education component in all MRU degree programs. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to teach interdisciplinary foundation-level courses designed to help all students develop the skills they will need to better understand the diverse, changing world in which they will build their careers and contribute as citizens.

Normally, preference will be given to candidates with a completed, or near completed, PhD in Social Work. The successful candidate should have relevant undergraduate teaching and professional experience. Applicants must either be currently registered as a Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) or be eligible for registration.

We respect the Social Work Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, which are embedded in our teaching practices as a key component of student learning. In addition, we hold the following values:

• Commitment to undergraduate education in which scholarship of teaching and learning is a priority,
• Connection and collaboration with the community, as critical partners, in the educational journey,
• Experience working with diverse community organizations to forward student learning and experience,
• The development of students who are ready for practice,
• Engaging with students as partners in learning,
• Teamwork and excellence.

Closing Date: The Committee will begin reviewing applications on October 30, 2026 and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Please submit a complete dossier including: cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of three (3) references, and evidence of teaching excellence. Ideally please submit ALL documents in one .pdf, or if size limitations require it two .pdf attachments. Please title your .pdf document as follows: (Last Name, First Name), (Requisition Number), (Application).pdf (example: Smith, John, 4321, Dossier.pdf).