Interested in teaching with us?
We invite your expressions of interest to teach with us as well as consider course development and student supervision opportunities.
Please explore the resources here to determine your interest in, and alignment with, our teaching philosophy as well as the fit of your expertise and experience with our programming.
Who are "associate faculty"
We welcome and are grateful to our associate faculty for their integral contribution to RRU's mission of providing life changing experiences that enable professional and personal transformation. It is our faculty, both full-time (core) and associate, that bring the university's unique Learning, Teaching, and Research Model to life.
Who are “associate faculty”?
Associate faculty are practitioners who are involved in professional, business, or other academic or non-academic activities outside the university and have achieved distinction or particular success; they bring their professional and practical experience, knowledge, and skills to the university and are engaged as independent contractors to develop and deliver curriculum as part of university programming.
Royal Roads University's mandate is to offer education in professional fields that is sensitive to labour market needs. The university has a unique structural design that allows it to be nimble and responsive to changing needs: it has a smaller base of full-time faculty members, often called core faculty, who are responsible for the overall design and delivery of our programs, and a larger number of associate faculty who carry out much of the teaching. As well, the role of associate faculty is aligned with the university's emphasis on a scholar-practitioner model and pedagogy informed by concurrent practice. Thus, the university's teaching and research programs benefit immeasurably from the expertise that associate faculty bring.
Associate faculty are extensively supported through our Centre for Teaching & Educational Technologies in preparing for teaching and having a course go live.
Please note that the title of "associate faculty" is distinct from "associate professor", which is a defined category under the RRU Faculty Collective Agreement and is reserved for RRU full-time, or core, faculty members.
"Associate faculty" are also distinct from "adjunct faculty", which is a separate term appointment initiated by a School in special circumstances where an adjunct relationship creates new opportunities aligned with School goals.
Independent contractors
Associate faculty are engaged as independent contractors to provide services to the university in academic units or programs to develop and deliver curriculum as part of university programming.
Though associate faculty are not employees of the university, we highly value having a strong, mutually supportive and mutually beneficial relationship.
As independent contractors, associate faculty enter into a "contract for services" with the university and, as such, have the status of being self-employed and are responsible for reporting their contractor income.
Engagement opportunities
We welcome associate faculty to become involved in all aspects of university life: attending public events and presentations, engaging with faculty research, and joining campus communities.
Why become associate faculty
Our associate faculty members are integral to RRU's educational model, as outlined in the Learning, Teaching & Research Model.
We highly value the expertise they bring, and greatly appreciate their passion for teaching and learning, as we see demonstrated in the classroom.
What RRU offers:
- We provide on-going faculty development workshops and training opportunities for associate faculty, for whom fees are waived. Whether you are transitioning from industry to teaching, or whether you already have teaching experience, you will find they offer invaluable information and resources, as well as peer-exchange and networking opportunities.
- Faculty receive substantial support from instructional designers and learning technologists to develop, update, revise, and mount a course to ensure that a course goes live successfully.
- Our Centre for Teaching & Educational Technologies provides a wealth of teaching resources as well as remote and in-person support via CTET Studio.
- Our students are highly diverse, in age, backgrounds, and experience and provide a stimulating learning environment.
- As a practitioner, you will find a rich academic environment to advance your own knowledge.
- RRU's community of faculty, staff, and students is a highly motivated, dedicated community of people seeking to make a difference in the world.
How to become associate faculty
There are regular openings for teaching and course development opportunities. Find current contracting opportunities at: Associate Faculty/Contractor Opportunities.
Associate faculty database
The university maintains an Associate Faculty database to support the recruitment of candidates who have expressed interest in teaching, course development, as well as supervision roles.
If you are interested in being considered for associate faculty opportunities, please submit an up-to-date CV to Faculty Affairs.
Opportunities with Professional & Continuing Studies
If you have expertise and experience to share, Professional & Continuing Studies welcomes proposal submissions for Continuing Studies courses.
