Instructor Jobs at Virginia Commonwealth University with Visa Sponsorship
Instructor jobs at Virginia Commonwealth University span disciplines from the arts and sciences to health professions, typically combining teaching responsibilities with departmental support. VCU has an established process for sponsoring international faculty, making it a viable target for candidates on work or student visas who are building an academic career in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking qualified candidates for BSW & MSW Adjunct Faculty position within the School of Social Work. This position offers opportunities to teach in the modalities of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs, across a variety of subjects, including: human behavior in the social environment, research, generalist/clinical/macro practice, policy, social justice, and various elective topics.
Position Responsibilities for Community Embedded Teaching:
- Deliver high-quality instruction during weekly online classes
- Utilize VCU’s learning management system, Canvas
- Prepare weekly lesson plans to facilitate effective learning experiences
- Hold weekly office hours to provide guidance and support to students
- Engage with students in a timely manner, utilizing excellent written and oral communication skills
- Provide feedback and grades to students promptly
- Fulfill additional duties as required while teaching in our Programs
- Adhere to all Virginia Commonwealth University and School of Social Work policies
This is a part-time, non-benefited appointment
Salary: $4,626 (3 credits) $1,542 per credit hour
Application Process:
To apply for this position, please submit the following documents along with answers to the questions in the application:
- A cover letter expressing your subject-matter expertise and your qualifications for teaching (required)
- Current curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant educational and professional experiences (required)
- Contact information for two professional references (required)
- Clinical licensure (if applicable)
Please note the following details:
- Your application will become part of the Talent pool, which will be accessed only when an opening arises. If a suitable opening becomes available, we will review your qualifications
- Please be aware that we are unable to hire applicants who are not already in the Talent pool
Required Qualifications:
- A minimum of a Master's degree in Social Work or a related field
- Demonstrated expertise and experience in the field of social work or a related field - two years post-graduate degree is preferred
- Teaching experience, preferably in higher education, with a focus on social work education or a related field
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to effectively engage with a diverse student population
- Clinical licensure is required for certain courses
- Commitment to adhering to Virginia Commonwealth University and School of Social Work policies
- Commitment to adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics
- Other duties as assigned
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member
LOCATION
907 Floyd Avenue, VCU Main Campus, Virginia, United States, 23284
INTRODUCTION
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking qualified candidates for BSW & MSW Adjunct Faculty position within the School of Social Work. This position offers opportunities to teach in the modalities of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs, across a variety of subjects, including: human behavior in the social environment, research, generalist/clinical/macro practice, policy, social justice, and various elective topics.
Position Responsibilities for Community Embedded Teaching:
- Deliver high-quality instruction during weekly online classes
- Utilize VCU’s learning management system, Canvas
- Prepare weekly lesson plans to facilitate effective learning experiences
- Hold weekly office hours to provide guidance and support to students
- Engage with students in a timely manner, utilizing excellent written and oral communication skills
- Provide feedback and grades to students promptly
- Fulfill additional duties as required while teaching in our Programs
- Adhere to all Virginia Commonwealth University and School of Social Work policies
This is a part-time, non-benefited appointment
Salary: $4,626 (3 credits) $1,542 per credit hour
Application Process:
To apply for this position, please submit the following documents along with answers to the questions in the application:
- A cover letter expressing your subject-matter expertise and your qualifications for teaching (required)
- Current curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant educational and professional experiences (required)
- Contact information for two professional references (required)
- Clinical licensure (if applicable)
Please note the following details:
- Your application will become part of the Talent pool, which will be accessed only when an opening arises. If a suitable opening becomes available, we will review your qualifications
- Please be aware that we are unable to hire applicants who are not already in the Talent pool
Required Qualifications:
- A minimum of a Master's degree in Social Work or a related field
- Demonstrated expertise and experience in the field of social work or a related field - two years post-graduate degree is preferred
- Teaching experience, preferably in higher education, with a focus on social work education or a related field
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to effectively engage with a diverse student population
- Clinical licensure is required for certain courses
- Commitment to adhering to Virginia Commonwealth University and School of Social Work policies
- Commitment to adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics
- Other duties as assigned
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member
LOCATION
907 Floyd Avenue, VCU Main Campus, Virginia, United States, 23284
See all 59+ Instructor Jobs at Virginia Commonwealth University
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Instructor Jobs at Virginia Commonwealth University
Align Your Credentials to U.S. Academic Standards
VCU and its international hiring office will evaluate foreign degrees against U.S. equivalency standards. Get a credential evaluation from a NACES-accredited service before applying, especially if your degree is a three-year international bachelor's or a non-U.S. graduate qualification.
Target Departments With Ongoing Instructor Demand
VCU's health sciences, engineering, and arts programs post Instructor openings more frequently than smaller departments. Focusing your applications on high-enrollment schools within VCU increases your odds of landing a role with the departmental budget to support visa filing.
Clarify Sponsorship Before Accepting Any Offer
Ask HR directly whether the Instructor position is eligible for H-1B sponsorship, since some non-tenure-track roles at universities are structured in ways that complicate the specialty occupation classification. Confirm this in writing during the offer negotiation stage, not after you've signed.
Use Migrate Mate to Find Open Instructor Roles
Browse current Instructor openings at VCU that are open to visa sponsorship using Migrate Mate. Filtering by employer and role type saves you from applying to positions where sponsorship has never been offered, which is a common time drain for international candidates.
Understand How OPT and CPT Fit Into Your Timeline
If you're finishing a U.S. graduate program, F-1 OPT lets you start an Instructor role at VCU while an H-1B petition is prepared. STEM OPT extensions can provide up to 36 months of work authorization, giving you and VCU's HR team more runway to complete the H-1B filing process.
Prepare for the DOL's Prevailing Wage Requirement
VCU must file a Labor Condition Application with the DOL certifying your offered salary meets the prevailing wage for Instructors in the Richmond, Virginia area. Review DOL's OFLC wage data for your specific role level before negotiations so your salary expectations are realistic and LCA-compatible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Virginia Commonwealth University sponsor H-1B visas for Instructors?
Yes, VCU sponsors H-1B visas for Instructor roles that qualify as specialty occupations, meaning the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. The university's HR and international hiring office manages the petition process, including the required Labor Condition Application filed with the DOL. Not every Instructor title is automatically eligible, so confirming the specific role's classification early in the process is important.
How do I apply for Instructor jobs at Virginia Commonwealth University?
Applications go through VCU's official careers portal, where you can filter for faculty and instructional positions by department or school. Tailoring your application materials to the specific discipline and highlighting any prior U.S. teaching experience strengthens your candidacy. You can also use Migrate Mate to browse Instructor openings at VCU that have a visa sponsorship track record, which helps you prioritize roles before applying directly through VCU's portal.
Which visa types does VCU commonly use for Instructor positions?
VCU regularly sponsors H-1B visas for Instructors and supports F-1 OPT and CPT for candidates finishing U.S. degree programs. The J-1 visa exchange visitor visa is also used for short-term or visiting Instructor appointments, particularly in research-adjacent roles. For longer-term faculty pathways, VCU has sponsored permanent residence through EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based Green Card categories, though this is more common after an initial period on H-1B status.
What qualifications does VCU expect for Instructor roles?
Most Instructor positions at VCU require a master's degree at minimum, with a terminal degree such as a Ph.D. or MFA preferred for roles in competitive departments. Relevant teaching experience, whether from a graduate assistantship, prior faculty position, or professional practice, is expected. Health sciences and professional program Instructors may also need active licensure or clinical credentials recognized in Virginia.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for an Instructor at VCU?
For an H-1B petition, VCU must first obtain a certified Labor Condition Application from the DOL, which typically takes seven business days under standard processing. USCIS then adjudicates the H-1B petition, with regular processing taking three to six months and premium processing returning a decision within 15 business days for an additional fee. Planning around the April 1 H-1B filing window is critical for cap-subject cases, since employment cannot begin until October 1 at the earliest.