Assistant or Associate Professor of Social Work - College of Education and Community Innovation

Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) School of Social Work seeks one tenure track – assistant or associate professor, full-time, 9-month contract teaching in generalist BSW & MSW courses. Preferred areas of expertise include anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Salary for faculty positions is commensurate with experience. This position may include opportunity for spring/summer teaching with additional compensation. We are seeking an innovative educator who is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who teach in this program.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited MSW Program.
• Doctorate (PhD or DSW) in Social Work or related field or ABD with Doctorate within 18 months of hire date.
• Two years post MSW professional social work experience.
• Evidence of critical, reflective thinking about the teaching and learning of social work education.
• A record of, and/or potential to teach courses related to macro, mezzo, and micro related social work practice to social work undergraduate and graduate students.
• Ability/interest to teach in traditional, hybrid, and online learning environments.
• A record of, and/or potential for research/scholarship.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access as well as commitment to anti-racist social work practice (as articulated by the Council on Social Work Education – CSWE).
• Ability to work productively with colleagues with flexibility and creativity.
• Demonstrate commitment to actively engage in service for the School of Social Work, the University, the profession, and the broader community.

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• Experience in teaching college level courses in social work and related fields and/or other adult learning settings.
• Completed PhD or DSW in social work or a related discipline.
• Three years post MSW professional social work experience.
• Experience and/or expertise in online teaching and in learning new educational technology tools.
• Experience teaching or providing training in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities – Essential Functions:

• Engage in teaching and ongoing development of Social Work courses for both BSW and MSW students. 
• Teach a 9-credit hour teaching load per semester.
• Advise/mentor students at the graduate and undergraduate level.
• Engage in social work/academic creating and executing research/scholarship agendas and activities.
• Engage in university service activities at all institutional levels.
• Engage in professional and community-based services activities
• Participate actively in the life of the department.
• Departmental support as needed.

*Employment begins August 4, 2025.

Minimum Starting Salary for Assistant Professor: $64,000; commensurate with experience.

Minimum Starting Salary for Associate Professor: $73,000; commensurate with experience. ​

• In the School of Social Work there are often opportunities for spring/summer teaching for additional compensation. Family and childcare options on and off-campus are also available.

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

How To Apply:  Please include:

• (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach in the School of Social Work at GVSU;
• (2) curriculum vitae;
• (3) a teaching statement that addresses the applicant’s teaching experience, philosophy, and methodology, and how the applicant meets the teaching-related qualifications of the position; 
• (4) a diversity statement that describes ongoing or anticipated activities to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism in teaching, with particular attention to experiences engaging and supporting a diverse student body. 

The online application wil