Program Director

The Department of Human Services invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor to serve as Program Director of the Social Work program beginning July 1, 2026. This is an on-campus faculty position that provides a course release per semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) to perform program director duties. The selected candidate will be providing academic and administrative leadership to a dynamic CSWE accredited program, be responsible for teaching courses in the candidate’s area of expertise, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service at the department, college, and university levels.

The Social Work program housed in the Department of Human Services, was founded in 1995 and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program has a generalist focus and prepares students for licensure and professional social work practice through a rigorous, competency-based curriculum aligned with CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Rooted in CSWE’s Signature Pedagogy of Field Education, the program integrates classroom learning with robust, supervised field experiences across South Georgia and the region.

Our hybrid pedagogy combines face-to-face, synchronous, and asynchronous online modalities to meet the needs of diverse learners while maintaining a strong emphasis on relational, skills-based instruction. Students gain hands‑on experience through field placements in behavioral health, medical, school, and community settings, where they develop core social work competencies including engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and advocacy. Our mission emphasizes ethical and evidence-informed practice that promotes the well‑being of individuals, families, and communities.

Online application is required. For full consideration, please apply by January 15, 2026. For more information contact Dr. Heather Kelley, Head, via email hkelley or phone .

Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter addressing qualifications and leadership philosophy
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Statement of research interests and accomplishments
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Reporting to the department head, the Director is responsible for the following:

• Oversee the Social Work program by providing academic leadership and administrative oversight to include compliance with CSWE accreditation standards and maintenance of full accreditation status
• Lead program scheduling and strategic planning
• Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses in a variety of modalities (online, hybrid, and face‑to‑face on campus)
• Liaise with the Social Work Field Director
• Coordinate field education partnerships and experiential learning initiatives
• Guide curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement aligned with CSWE and VSU competencies and licensure standards
• Conduct a research agenda that includes publications, presentations, and grant writing
• Engage in academic advising and professional mentorship
• Foster partnerships with regional social service agencies and community organizations
• Lead initiatives to host educational conferences for the region
• Participate in departmental, college, university, community, and regional service
• Perform related duties as assigned

The Dewar College of Education and Human Services prepare professionals for multiple roles in 21st century educational, business, and community settings. The College is home to five departments (Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development, Teacher Education, Human Services, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Library and Information Studies). The Dewar College of Education and Human Services is an American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) award‑winning institution and is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

In addition, several of the college programs are accredited or nationally recognized by their specialized professional organizations.

Valdosta State University, founded in 1906, is a comprehensive university with a student enrollment of approximately 10,200. The city of Valdosta is…