Adjunct Faculty

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Spur Start Department is seeking applications throughout the year from individuals who are interested in non-tenure track, temporary adjunct teaching assignmentslocated at the CSU Spur campus in Denver, CO as part of the Spur Start undergraduate program. The teaching load and course assignments are made by the Department Chair. Teaching will be in person.

Instructors contribute to the Spur Start Department primarily through their commitment to teaching undergraduate courses or supervising laboratory instruction, as well as their interest in improving teaching and learning in the department through other activities. In general, instructors are expected to interact with other members of the department including faculty, staff, and students to enrich and enhance the undergraduate education program offered by the Spur Start Department.

Instructors must hold a M.S. degree in a field related to the course and are typically hired on a semester basis and can be either part-time or full-time depending on departmental instructor need, student enrollment numbers, and funding.Adjunct faculty will be 100% teaching, with no expectation of conducting research or service.

Instructors may be hired for fall, spring and/or summer term in a given academic year. Applications will be accepted throughout the year. Hiring decisions are normally made during the late spring and throughout the summer for fall semester, during fall semester for spring semester, and during spring semester for the summer term.

Description of Work Unit:

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is responsible for providing the academic vision and leadership to fulfill the University’s land-grant mission. The work unit articulates, communicates, and facilitates the development of fundamental values basic to the University’s mission and administers academic programs and policies. It oversees the academic programming and faculty affairs on campus, as well as provides oversight for the Spur Start program.

The CSU Spur Start program is a newly developed initiative that expands Colorado State University's commitment to educational access by creating a distinctive first-year experience for students in the Denver metropolitan area and beyond. Based at the CSU Spur campus in Denver, the program provides an accessible and affordable pathway for students who may not otherwise see a four-year degree as attainable. Students begin their college journey at Spur before transitioning to the Fort Collins campus for their second year, benefiting from a model that combines the personalized experience of a small, cohort-based learning community with the resources and opportunities of a major research university. Through individualized support, close relationships with faculty and peers, experiential learning, and intentional programming that fosters belonging, Spur Start offers a truly differentiated educational experience. By leveraging the unique learning assets of the CSU Spur campus while maintaining a strong connection to the broader CSU community, the program delivers compelling value and helps students build a strong academic, social, and personal foundation for success.

Salary Range:

Per course basis of $8,500/3-credit course.

Essential Job Duties:

Essential job duties vary depending on the classes instructors are being hired to teach, but may include:

• Teaching undergraduate courses.
• Supervising laboratory instruction.
• Mentoring undergraduate students.
• Developing new lecture demonstrations.
• Developing and revising peer evaluation tools.
• Developing and maintaining course materials, assessments, and records.
• Providing guidance, feedback, and support to students while contributing to departmental goals.
• Providing regular office hours at the Spur campus.

Conditions of Employment:

• Legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).

Supervision:

• This position does not have any supervisory responsibility.

Minimum Qualifications:

• M.A. in a field related to the course.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a field related to the course.
• Experience using a Learning Management System (LMS) such as Canvas (Instructure), Blackboard, Moodle, etc.
• Experience teaching a wide variety of lower division (100-300 level) undergraduate courses in area of expertise.
• Experience preparing and presenting lessons as outlined in the course syllabus, as well as manage homework assignments, exams, and communications.

Application Instructions:

Applicants are expected to provide: 

• A cover letter indicating interest in the position at Colorado State University along with a description of the applicant’s ability to meet the position’s required and preferred qualifications.

• A resume/CV.
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy.

Applications that do not include all required materials will not be considered. 

This posting will remain open and continue collecting applications until March 31, 2027. Applicants who wish to be considered after this date must reapply.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.