ABOUT SIMMONS
Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.
You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.
As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.
The MPH@Simmons, a Master of Public Health in Health Equity, prepares public health professionals to address health inequities by challenging the socio-structural determinants of health existing within and outside of traditional health domains. The curriculum invites students to engage critically and historically to analyze and address systems of power that perpetuate inequities, leading with a racial and intersectional justice lens. Students learn core public health science and methodological skills, including epidemiology, biostatistics, policy analysis, and community-based, participatory approaches to study population health challenges. Students also gain the leadership and management skills, and health advocacy and organizing skills to design, implement, manage, and evaluate programs, policies and campaigns targeted to improve health equity.
The program uses a robust set of online course delivery tools to support high-level student engagement. MPH@Simmons features a low student-to-faculty ratio, with live synchronous instruction for professor/student interaction through videoconferencing, complemented by high-quality, asynchronous self-paced online content. Learn more here: https://online.simmons.edu/our-programs/mph/
The MPH@Simmons is seeking Section Instructors across its curriculum. The Section Instructor is responsible for the academic success of students enrolled in an online course in accordance with program and course objectives and course syllabi. Each Session Instructor should be highly knowledgeable about the subject matter for their assigned course, and maintain expertise in the subject area. The MPH@Simmons focuses on Health Equity. As such, Section Instructors with knowledge and applied experience advancing health equity will add unique value to the program. Simmons University is interested in developing long-term relationships with adjunct faculty who bring academic and professional public health practice experience, particularly working toward health equity; excellent communication skills; excellent organizational skills; and enthusiasm and passion for providing an extraordinary public health education. We are seeking academics,
Professionals, and community-engaged practitioners to share their knowledge and experience with graduate students in public health. We are especially interested in candidates who will enrich the diversity of our program's faculty.
All MPH@Simmons courses are taught from a standard syllabus that are designed by a Course Designer, in consultation with the full team of MPH faculty. All syllabi are approved by a Curriculum Committee at Simmons University, and syllabi and key assignments have been carefully tailored to meet accreditation criteria. As such, all faculty are expected to execute the competencies and learning objectives encompassed in the course. Simmons values the public health practice-based experience and competency that each faculty member brings to the course and to students through feedback and insight provided. The Section Instructor is expected to actively monitor and track individual student progress and provide support and direction as needed, both during the class and outside of class as needed and appropriate. Section Instructors use their experience and knowledge of public health and health equity to help students meet the course objectives. Any course modification a Section Instructor desires must be discussed with and approved by the Course Lead who oversees quality for the course, with final approval from the Program Director prior to implementation.
It is expected that each Section Instructor will spend approximately 9-12 hours per week facilitating live session instruction, providing support to students, evaluating required assignments, reviewing asynchronous course materials, and preparing for live sessions. Weekly time commitments may vary, but will typically include:
2 hours of weekly live session facilitation and teaching
1 to 2 hours of out-of-classroom electronic support and scheduled appointments with students
1.5 hours to 3 hours prepping for teaching
Up to 4-5 hours per week grading and assessing other student products
Attending weekly or biweekly mandatory course meetings per term with Course Lead, as determined by Course Lead; These meetings are approximately 30-60 minutes in length and are scheduled over the 11-week term.
Attending 2 mandatory MPH Faculty Meetings per term; These meetings are approximately 60-90 minutes each in length and review important program requirements.
Teach material from approved curriculum in accordance with the syllabus and course design
Assume responsibility for the academic supervision and teaching of enrolled students
Attend regularly scheduled, mandatory Course Lead meetings
Attend MPH Faculty Meetings
Provide full coverage for all scheduled synchronous/live sessions
Participate in and lead synchronous discussions and didactic sessions
Maintain and evaluate records of student’s performance within the grading systems of the Learning Management System (LMS) and the University
Provide meaningful and timely feedback on asynchronous and required written assignments. All feedback must be provided within 7 days of assigned due dates for submission
Maintain all administrative/academic components of the course section
Maintain communication, both online and virtual/in person, with Course Lead on a regular basis regarding course and student-related performance problems and concerns
Respond in a clear manner to student questions within 24-48 hours
Foster and encourage an online culture of learning that values professionalism, accountability, empathy, life-long learning, respect for diversity, and ethically-minded practice, as well as personal and professional development
MPH or closely related degree required
DrPH or PhD in public health or closely related field preferred
Public health applied practice experience preferred
Research, practice, service, and/or otherwise evidenced commitment to health equity preferred
Graduate level teaching experience specific to public health preferred
Online teaching exposure/experience preferred
The online courses and materials relating hereto, in whatever form, offered by Simmons University are and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of Simmons University. All models, curricula, programs, materials and systems designed or developed by faculty engaged by Simmons University in connection with the teaching such courses shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of Simmons University.
Simmons University provides all Section Instructors with tailored training for online and hybrid course delivery models. It is mandatory that all Section Instructors and Course Leads complete the Online Instructor Orientation Course provided by Simmons University one week prior to starting their first class . The course introduces faculty to the expectations and best instructional practices at Simmons University. The orientation will take approximately 10 to 15 hours to complete with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions.
Adjunct Faculty are required to provide their own hardware (PC or Mac Computer), software, and internet access to facilitate the online courses at Simmons University. Simmons University is not responsible for the purchase, upgrade, or maintenance of online instructor’s telephone, computer and Internet service. Required software for courses will be provided at no additional cost to the instructor. The following are the recommended specifications for Section Instructors:
Wired high-speed internet connection (8Mbps download & 3Mbps upload minimum speeds)
Full-powered laptop or desktop computer that is less than 3 years old (not a netbook or tablet)
Up-to-date operating system (old operating systems such as Windows X P / V i s t a or Mac OS X 10.6 and 10.7 are NOT supported)
Webcam (laptops with integrated webcams usually work very well)
Phone (need excellent reception where you plan to teach if using a mobile phone)
Headset for your phone (be sure the headset includes a microphone)
Note: Simmons University will consult with Instructors to help determine if their technology is compatible.
Required Application Materials:
Please submit an updated resume/ CV with your application
Compensation: $5,278 (per section)
This role is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by the union SEIU, Local 509.
In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws effective October 29, 2025, Simmons University is committed to pay equity, transparency and clear communication throughout the hiring process.
This is a non-benefits eligible position.
Compensation for adjunct faculty is established at a set rate per course and does not vary based on experience, education, or other factors. Our compensation philosophy is centered around a comprehensive package that includes pay, retirement savings, and other offerings that can be seen here , as well as work-life balance initiatives such as flexible hours and remote work opportunities. We are committed to offering a package that empowers individuals to thrive in their roles, contribute meaningfully, and lead with confidence.
Instructions to Applicants : Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the Application Materials box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).
Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual’s community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.
