Assistant Professor, Social Work

Assistant Professor of Social Work

Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement.

The assistant professor of social work is a full-time, tenure-track faculty member in Whitworth University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program, a healthcare and behavioral health degree housed in the School of Health Sciences that enrolls its inaugural cohort in fall 2027. MSW faculty teach across the generalist and specialized practice sequences, serve as trusted advisors and mentors to MSW students.

In this role, you will contribute to curriculum development, competency-based assessment, and accreditation documentation. All of this work is carried out in support of Whitworth's mission to provide an education of mind and heart that equips students to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity.

Whitworth is seeking two faculty members to join our Master of Social Work (MSW) program beginning July 1, 2027.

Teaching and Instruction Teach 21 credits per academic year across the fall semester, Jan Term, and spring semester, in both the generalist first-year and specialized second-year sequences. Prepare and deliver in-person instruction in skills-based social work practice courses and online instruction for courses designated for that format. Design course materials, learning activities, and graded assignments that operationalize the nine CSWE 2022 EPAS competencies and integrate evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practice frameworks.

Evaluate student work and provide timely, constructive feedback aligned with published program learning outcomes. Maintain regular office hours and respond to student inquiries within the time frames established in the MSW Student Handbook. Revise courses in response to student course evaluations, assessment data, and changes in practice standards.

Student Advising, Mentoring, and Professional Preparation Serve as academic advisor to an assigned caseload of MSW students, guiding course sequencing, degree progress, and part-time and full-time pathway planning. Mentor students in professional identity development, licensure preparation, and career planning in healthcare and behavioral health settings. Support students in preparing for and succeeding in field placement in partnership with the field director.

Identify students experiencing academic or professional performance concerns early, document those concerns, and implement the program's academic and professional review procedures as outlined in the student handbook. Participate in admissions review and applicant interviews as assigned. Write letters of reference and support students in scholarship, conference, and employment applications.

Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Accreditation Contribute to the design, review, and revision of MSW curriculum, including syllabi, course sequencing, and the elective slate. Develop and score competency-based assessment measures, including assignment prompts and rubrics keyed to the nine CSWE competencies and their behaviors. Collect, enter, and analyze assessment data and participate in the annual review of program outcomes, contributing to changes in curriculum and program design that follow from those findings.

Draft and review narrative and evidence submitted for CSWE benchmark documents, site visits, and reaffirmation, and for Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) institutional reporting. Maintain working knowledge of the CSWE 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards and the accreditation policies that govern the program's candidacy and accreditation status.

Scholarship and Professional Development Maintain an active professional identity through scholarly activity, applied research, practice engagement, or professional publication, consistent with the expectations for rank and tenure set out in the Whitworth University faculty handbook. Pursue professional development relevant to social work education and to the healthcare and behavioral health practice context, including continuing education required to maintain any professional license held.

Present at regional or national professional conferences and participate in professional associations such as NASW and CSWE. Involve MSW students in research, program evaluation, and scholarly projects where appropriate. Remain current with developments in social work…