Assistant Professor of Social Work

CSU Careers • Fullerton, CA

9d • $6,221 - $13,224

About The Position

The Department of Social Work at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure‐track assistant professor position with appointment to begin in Fall 2026. Centrally located in Southern California, CSUF is a major regional university serving Orange County, metropolitan Los Angeles, and the expanding Inland Empire. CSUF serves as an intellectual and cultural center for Southern California and a driver of workforce and economic development. California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is an equal opportunity employer and a minority-serving institution, with a Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. CSUF earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2021 and 2024, joining a distinguished group of colleges and universities recognized for their commitment to the success of Latine/x students. CSUF has a diverse student population of over 43,000 students, including international students from 73 nations. CSUF is firmly committed to student success by equipping students to achieve academic excellence, career success, and economic mobility. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences. We are seeking to recruit and retain faculty who can teach and mentor our students to achieve their academic and career goals while advancing the University’s strategic plan objectives. CSUF strives to retain all faculty by providing resources to build meaningful connections and community within and across disciplines. The campus community is designed to foster an inclusive environment that enables students, staff, administrators, and faculty to thrive. CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has established affinity groups you can join to support your success. The Department of Social work is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in social work education, policy, and practice based on equal opportunity and respect. The Department of Social Work understands that the pursuit of social justice is informed by the past and also requires a focus on “the here and now” and “the not yet,” addressing contemporary injustices while proactively anticipating and addressing future challenges and needs. As such, the department promotes advocacy to empower those in greatest need and uses a person-in-environment approach, which acknowledges the nature of discrimination, oppression, and unjust policies and practices at the individual and systemic levels. Our advanced generalist curriculum features policy and practice courses across three areas of foci: Child Welfare, Community Mental Health, and Aging. We are recruiting one tenure-track faculty member with expertise in Social Welfare and/or Public Policy or Social Welfare Policy Practice who can support one or more elements of our program. While teaching social welfare policy courses is the primary goal of this announcement, applicants with experience teaching social science research are also encouraged to apply. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate through their teaching, research and/or service that they can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our community. CSUF faculty are committed teacher/scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, studios, and individually mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, and serve on departmental and university-wide committees. This person will also be responsible for producing research and seeking external funding commensurate with the requirements for tenure. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, serve on committees, and participate in the broader university and disciplinary communities.

Requirements

• PhD in social welfare/social work or related field. ABD’s may apply but must show evidence that the degree will be completed by the time of appointment
• Evidence of the ability to conduct independent research
• Commitment and willingness to seeking external funding
• The ability to work effectively and collegially with a culturally diverse group of students, staff, faculty, and community.

Nice To Haves

• Research and/or teaching experience in Social Welfare and/or Public Policy or Policy Practice
• Master of Social Work Degree from a CSWE accredited institution.
• Two years post-MSW social work practice experience
• Previous university-level teaching experience
• Record of publication commensurate with career status

Responsibilities

• Teach broadly in the curricula of their departments
• Advise students
• Serve on departmental and university-wide committees
• Producing research
• Seeking external funding commensurate with the requirements for tenure
• Contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department
• Participate in the broader university and disciplinary communities.

Benefits

• An excellent comprehensive benefits package includes health/vision/dental plans; spouse, domestic partner, and dependent fee‐waiver; access to campus child‐care; and a defined‐benefit retirement through the state system and optional tax sheltering opportunities.
• Summer research grants, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees