Job Summary
The Social Work Program in Purdue University Northwest’s Department of Behavioral Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track position, Associate Professor (with tenure granted upon satisfactory review). The position is ideally to begin August 16, 2027. Candidates must be able to 1) perform high-quality teaching, scholarship and service; and participate in student mentorship and events; 2) demonstrate commitment to promoting anti-oppressive social work practice in their role as faculty member; 3) collaborate with other department programs on curriculum, instruction, and other matters; 4) teach introductory and advanced practice social work courses across BASW and MSW curriculum; and 5) teach 4 courses each semester. While all areas of practice interests will be considered, individuals with focal teaching/research interests in mental health, de-addiction, and trauma-informed care are especially encouraged to apply. This position is benefits eligible.
Position Requirements for Associate Professor
- Earned Doctoral Degree in Social Work or a closely related discipline
- MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, or recognition of credentials by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES)
- University teaching experience
- Two years post-MSW practice experience is preferred.
University Profile
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a student-centered university that transforms lives through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement. Located in Northwest Indiana in the greater Chicago area and near the Indiana Dunes National Park, PNW serves approximately 9,000 students, including 6,000 core students, in a wide range of academic programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and applied doctoral levels.
Purdue Northwest employs more than 1,000 faculty and staff members for operations at its main campus in Hammond, IN, and its branch campus in Westville, IN. PNW’s values reflect the university’s commitment to respect, innovation, a student-centric university, and excellence.
PNW is consistently ranked among the best public regional universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges report and is recognized as a First Scholars institution as well an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. With its vision to cultivate leaders, inspire excellence, and impact our world, PNW advances the socioeconomic mobility of its students and positively impacts regional development.
College Profile
The College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences serves over 1,400 undergraduate students and 170 graduate students across a wide range of programs. In addition to the Behavioral Sciences Department, other administrative units within the college include:
- Communication and Creative Arts
- English and World Languages
- History, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- Psychology
- School of Education & Counseling
The College also houses the Community Counseling Center that provides quality affordable mental health and the Institute for Social and Policy Research, which uses social science and policy analysis methods to find solutions to educational, social, and health-related challenges facing the citizens of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan region.
How to Apply
To apply, submit a cover letter, CV, contact information for three references, teaching evaluation reports, and up to two publications or writing samples. In the cover letter, please include your teaching philosophy and a statement of your commitment to anti oppressive social work practice with examples of how you have fostered them. Screening of applications will begin immediately. Applications must be received by October 22, 2026 to receive full consideration. For questions about this position, please contact Dr. Shreya Bhandari, Search Committee Chair, at bhanda15@pnw.edu.
Employment is contingent upon completion of successful background check.
Purdue University Northwest is an equal opportunity/equal access university.
FLSA Status
Exempt
