Faculty - Assistant Professor - MSW/BSW Programs

Position Announcement

The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Utah Valley University invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions in Social Work at the assistant, associate, or full professor rank. Appointments will begin in August 2027.

These positions provide an exciting opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and development of UVU’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. Both programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

UVU’s social work programs provide effective instruction and mentorship to students with varied educational backgrounds and life experiences; maintain a respectful, professional, and student-centered learning environment; use teaching practices and course materials appropriate to the course learning outcomes and applicable accreditation standards; and work professionally with students, colleagues, and community partners.

The successful candidate will collaborate with social work faculty in developing and establishing curriculum, activities, processes, resources, and policies that support student development of social work knowledge, skills, and values. The appointee’s workload expectations will be teaching (80%), research (10%), and institutional service (10%). The position carries a teaching load of 24 credit hours or equivalent per academic year, typically 12 credits per semester (4/4).

UVU offers extensive resources and professional-development workshops to support and enhance teaching effectiveness. The successful candidate will use pedagogical approaches that promote student engagement, establish measurable course learning objectives, and assess student learning through written assignments, oral and/or skills-based assessments, examinations, and other appropriate evaluation methods.

The successful candidate will collaborate professionally with faculty and staff to support the well-being and continued development of the social work programs, the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Utah Valley University, and its students and employees. A commitment to collegiality, collaboration, and student success is essential

The successful candidate is expected to uphold the professional mission, purpose, and ethics of the social work profession and comply with applicable university policies and legal requirements.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Teaching courses in the Social Work Discipline.
• Plans, prepares, and follows an approved course of study with measurable objectives and student outcomes for each course taught. Prepares all instructional materials (to include course syllabi, exams, readings, instructions, visual aids, and other materials) in electronic and paper formats. Maintains and submits accurate and current records concerning student accountability, attendance, and performance. Maintains office hours and upholds a student-centered approach to education.
• University and community service.
• Research and scholarly projects.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• Doctoral degree in social work (PhD, DSW) or related discipline, master’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, and two years of post-MSW social work practice experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to social work education, including preparation of students/supervisees for ethical, competent, and effective professional practice.
• Evidence of effective teaching, training, mentoring, or student support in social work education or closely related settings.
• Commitment to continuous improvement in teaching, including use of student feedback, assessment data, and professional development.
• Demonstrated record of professional reliability, organization, accountability, and timely completion of assigned responsibilities.
• Recent scholarly activity (within 5 years) or extensive practice experience.
• Please note: If the MSW was earned from an international institution, the candidate is responsible for having the degree evaluated and approved by CSWE. ABD candidates will be considered; however, the doctoral degree must be conferred by the time of appointment (August 2027).
• If hired at the associate or full professor rank, the candidate must have evidence of rank achievement, recent scholarly work and continued agenda (publications, conference presentations, etc.), achievement in teaching, and evidence of ongoing institutional service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as the instructor of record in a social work program.
• Experience working effectively with under-resourced populations.
• Experience collaborating on program development, curriculum revision, accreditation self-study, assessment, or strategic planning.
• Experience using technology in social work practice or education.
• Expertise in macro social work practice, addiction treatment, and/or research instruction, particularly for MSW-program teaching.
• Leadership experience in a growing academic program, social service agency, or related organization.

Required Application Materials:

• A cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications
• A curriculum vitae
• Transcripts for degrees: MSW, doctoral, etc.
• Teaching statement/philosophy
• Teaching evaluations for all courses where the applicant was the instructor of record (if full-time faculty, the last 3 years are sufficient)
• Professional licensure or certification documentation, if applicable
• Contact information for three professional references

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Social work theory, practice, policy, and research across the social work curriculum.
• Professional social work ethics, values, and applicable standards of practice.
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Education Policy and Accreditation Standards.
• Learning management systems (e.g., Canvas) and instructional technology used in higher education.
• Principles and methods of student learning assessment and competency-based education.

Skills

• Design, organize, and deliver effective in-person and online course content.
• Use engaged-learning pedagogies, instructional strategies, and educational technology.
• Apply course content to contemporary social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Facilitate respectful, productive learning conversations about complex or challenging social work topics.
• Develop and use assessment measures to evaluate student learning outcomes and competencies.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with students, faculty, staff, agency administrators, and community partners.
• Plan, prioritize, and manage multiple teaching, assessment, accreditation, scholarship, service, and student-support responsibilities.

Abilities

• Work collaboratively and productively with faculty, staff, students, community partners, and external stakeholders.
• Participate constructively in collaborative decision-making, shared governance, and program development.
• Contribute positively to a collegial, student-centered, and growing academic program.
• Meet established deadlines and complete assigned responsibilities reliably and professionally.
• Exercise sound judgment, accountability, and follow-through in teaching, service, and other faculty responsibilities.
• Reflect on teaching practice and use feedback and assessment results to improve instruction.
• Adapt teaching and communication approaches to support students with varied educational backgrounds and learning needs.

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant’s qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Utah Valley University’s dedication to exceptional care offers quality service and benefits to employees while staying committed to meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.

UVU is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees and their family’s overall physical and mental health, protects their income in case of unforeseen illness and life events, and assists in building financial security for retirement and the future.

Highlights from Utah Valley University’s benefits package include:

• Medical network and plan options with low employee premiums
• Employer HSA contribution for those that elect the university’s High-Deductible Health Plan
• Other tax advantage, reimbursement account options (i.e. Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care)
• Dental and vision plan options
• Incentivized wellness program
• Employer paid basic life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan with an employer contribution of 14.2% based on employee’s compensation (100% vested on first day of full-time employment)
• Undergraduate tuition remission benefit waiving up to 18 credit hours (each semester) for employees and their eligible dependents (spouses & children dependents unmarried and up to age 26)
• Generous leave package which includes sick, vacation (staff only), and personal leave; 13 paid holidays; paid medical maternity and parental leave

For more information about the benefits offered, visit https://www.uvu.edu/peopleandculture/benefits.