If you’ve ever considered teaching social work at the university level, or if you’re an experienced educator keeping an eye on what’s out there, this page is for you.
The academic job market in Canadian social work education is active right now, with a range of positions posted across the country. From tenure-track assistant professorships to specialized learning specialist roles and Indigenous scholar appointments, there’s a real diversity in what schools are looking for. I’ve compiled the latest postings below, along with an updated resource directory of where to find social work teaching jobs across Canada.
Whether you’re a PhD candidate preparing for the market, a sessional instructor ready for something more permanent, or a practitioner thinking about transitioning into academia — take a careful look. These opportunities don’t stay open forever.
Current Social Work Educator Postings
Here’s what’s currently listed on the CASWE-ACFTS Career Corner and other sources. I’ve included direct links where available.
Cape Breton University
Position: Assistant Professor, Social Work Location: Sydney, Nova Scotia Why apply: CBU’s Bachelor of Social Work program is growing, and Cape Breton offers a unique teaching environment deeply connected to Mi’kmaq communities and rural social work practice. Details: View Posting (PDF)
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Position: Professor, Social Work and Diversity Capacity Location: Montréal, Québec Note: This position is advertised in French. Why apply: UQAM has a strong tradition of critical social work scholarship and community engagement in one of Canada’s most vibrant cities. Details: View Posting (PDF)
Canadian Mennonite University
Position: Faculty Position in Social Work (Open Rank) Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Why apply: CMU offers a distinctive, community-oriented learning environment. This is an open-rank position — a good fit for candidates at various career stages with a commitment to social work education grounded in justice and peacebuilding. Details: View Posting (PDF) | CMU Employment Page
University of Windsor
The School of Social Work at the University of Windsor has posted three distinct positions, making it one of the most active hiring schools in the country right now.
Position 1: Permanence-Track Learning Specialist Details: View Posting
Position 2: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Details: View Posting
Position 3: Indigenous Scholar, Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor Details: View Posting (PDF)
Location: Windsor, Ontario Why apply: Windsor’s School of Social Work is clearly investing in growth and diversity. With three openings — including a dedicated Indigenous Scholar position — this is a school building for the future.
Laurentian University
Position: Assistant Professor Location: Sudbury, Ontario Why apply: Laurentian has been rebuilding its academic programs after significant institutional challenges, and the School of Social Work continues to serve a critical role in Northern Ontario. A chance to be part of renewal. Details: View Posting
Lakehead University
Position 1: Assistant Professor, School of Social Work Details: View Posting
Location: Thunder Bay (and Orillia), Ontario Why apply: Lakehead is one of the few social work programs deeply rooted in Northwestern Ontario, serving Indigenous communities and remote populations. The bilingual clinical instructor role is particularly unique.
Wilfrid Laurier University
Laurier’s Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work is actively expanding, with three positions currently posted across both the BSW and MSW programs. This is a significant hiring moment for one of Canada’s most respected social work faculties.
Position 1: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor (2 positions) — Bachelor of Social Work Program Location: Brantford, Ontario Focus: Micro-level direct practice Start Date: July 1, 2026 (subject to budgetary approval) Why apply: Laurier’s BSW program in Brantford has a strong community-engaged focus. These two tenure-track positions are centered on micro-level practice — ideal for candidates with expertise in clinical or direct practice social work. A rare opportunity to join a program during a period of active growth. Details: View Posting on CAUT Academic Work | Laurier Careers Portal
Position 2: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor — Master of Social Work Program Location: Kitchener, Ontario Focus: Micro-level practice (aging, mental health and wellbeing, child welfare, and/or child, youth, and family wellbeing) Start Date: July 1, 2026 (subject to budgetary approval) Why apply: Laurier’s MSW program is seeking a scholar-practitioner with expertise in areas at the heart of social work practice. The program is known for preparing advanced practitioners and is investing in faculty who can bridge research and direct practice. With Laurier also launching new program initiatives, this is an exciting time to join the faculty. Details: View Posting on CAUT Academic Work | Laurier Careers Portal
Planning Tips for Prospective Social Work Educators
Start early. Application deadlines pass quickly, and many positions require a full dossier — teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, research statements, and reference letters. Don’t wait until the last week.
Tailor your materials. A generic cover letter won’t do. Each school has its own culture, student population, and program priorities. Show that you understand the context.
Check eligibility carefully. Many Canadian academic positions give priority to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Some positions require specific credentials (PhD, DSW, RSW registration) — read the fine print.
Reach out. If a posting interests you, it’s perfectly appropriate to contact the search committee chair or the Dean’s office with questions before applying. It shows initiative and genuine interest.
Watch for more postings. The academic hiring cycle in Canada typically peaks between October and March, with start dates in July or September. Keep checking the resources below throughout the spring.
Social Work Educator Careers — Where to Find Jobs
If you are interested in teaching social work courses, I have compiled the list of relevant web pages for social work teaching jobs in Canada. Bookmark these and check them regularly.
Key National Job Boards
Most jobs are posted at the CASWE-ACFTS Career Corner (formerly listed as “Academic Vacancies”): https://caswe-acfts.ca/resources/career-corner/
You can also check the CAUT Academic Work search engine: https://www.academicwork.ca/search
Occasionally, social work instructor jobs are posted on the CASW webpage: https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/what-social-work/professional-opportunities/job-opportunities
Social Work Educator Jobs — University Career Pages (English-Speaking Universities)
| University | Career Page |
|---|---|
| Algoma University | algomau.ca/careers |
| Cape Breton University | cbu.ca/employment-opportunities |
| Carleton University | carleton.ca/provost/jobs |
| Dalhousie University | dal.ca/socialwork/job-postings |
| King’s University College (Western) | https://kings.uwo.ca/about/human-resources/#jobs |
| Lakehead University | lakeheadu.ca/employment-opportunities |
| Laurentian University | laurentian.ca/careers |
| McGill University | mcgill.ca/socialwork/jobs |
| McMaster University | workingatmcmaster.ca/careers |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | mun.ca/hr/careers |
| Nicola Valley Institute of Technology | nvit.ca/jobs |
| Renison University College (Waterloo) | uwaterloo.ca/renison/employment |
| St. Thomas University | stu.ca/employment |
| Thompson Rivers University | tru.ca/careers |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | torontomu.ca/careers |
| Trent University | trentu.ca/employment |
| University of British Columbia (Vancouver) | hr.ubc.ca/faculty-careers |
| University of British Columbia (Okanagan) | hr.ok.ubc.ca/careers/faculty |
| University of Calgary | careers.ucalgary.ca |
| University of Manitoba | umanitoba.ca/careers |
| University of Northern British Columbia | unbc.ca/faculty-postings |
| University of Regina | uregina.ca/careers |
| University of the Fraser Valley | ufv.ca/careers |
| University of Toronto | careers.utoronto.ca |
| University of Victoria | uvic.ca/socialwork/employment |
| University of Windsor | https://www.uwindsor.ca/faculty/recruitment/ |
| Vancouver Island University | viu.ca/postings |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | careers.wlu.ca |
| York University | yorku.ca/careers |
Did I miss a posting you know about? Drop a comment or reach out — I’d love to keep this list growing throughout the year.