Assistant Professor, Social Work

The University of Southern Mississippi • Hattiesburg, MS

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) invites applications for four full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor positions beginning August 2027. These are nine-month appointments based primarily in Hattiesburg, with some teaching at USM's Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. We're looking for colleagues who believe that strong scholarship, excellent teaching, community engagement, and a sustainable professional life can go hand in hand. As an R1 institution with a tradition of research and service, USM offers an environment where faculty can grow as scholars while building meaningful connections with colleagues and community members.

Teaching and Mentorship
Faculty teach across USM's CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs, with a standard load of 3 courses in the fall and spring. The opportunity to teach both graduate and undergraduate students allows faculty to shape social work education at the foundational and advanced levels, while supporting students as they develop professional identities and prepare for advanced practice and leadership. Our faculty emphasize engaged, student-centered learning and the connection between knowledge and practice. We encourage faculty to bring their own expertise and experience into the curriculum.

Scholarship and Collaboration
We welcome applicants who are building active scholarship programs and want to connect their research with teaching, community partnerships, and real-world impact. Faculty are encouraged to collaborate with community organizations, state agencies, health and human service systems, and colleagues across the University and to pursue interdisciplinary research and external funding. We are especially interested in candidates whose work aligns with or complements existing faculty strengths in:

Gerontology and aging
Mental and behavioral health
Child welfare
Intimate partner violence
Social work education
Integrated health
Policy and advocacy
These areas reflect opportunities for collaboration, not limits. Candidates addressing other areas are equally encouraged to apply.

Mississippi and the Gulf South as a Setting for Scholarship
The School has a long history of partnerships with community agencies and systems-level initiatives across Mississippi and the Gulf South. These relationships let faculty connect research and teaching to real-world practice while preparing graduates to serve the region's diverse communities. The Gulf South offers a compelling setting for scholarship on rural health access, poverty and economic mobility, behavioral health, child and family well-being, educational equity, housing instability, and aging. For scholars interested in community-engaged and applied research, Mississippi offers a mix of rural, suburban, and urban communities in unique areas like the Mississippi Delta and the Gulf Coast.

Living and Working in Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg offers the advantages of a university community without the cost and congestion of a large metro area. Its location also puts much of the Gulf South within easy reach: New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the beaches of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle are all a short drive away. Within USM, the School of Social Work offers a close-knit academic community inside an R1 university, giving new faculty the chance to build strong relationships with colleagues and students while accessing the research infrastructure and interdisciplinary opportunities of a major institution. More information about our school can be found at https://www.usm.edu/social-work

Requirements

• Earned an MSW from a CSWE accredited institution and a PhD or doctorate in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
• ABD's nearing completion of their dissertation may be considered.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to be compassionate and empathetic while working with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
• Adaptability and persistence while working with University students.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and lectures
• Demonstrate potential for research, scholarly, and creative activities
• Maintain currency on relevant research, professional certifications, and continuing education.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, respect, and discretion when dealing with confidential matters.
• Currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Licensure at the LMSW or LCSW level.
• Two years’ post-master's experience
• Demonstrated teaching/training experience at undergraduate and graduate levels
• An established record of scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction in both the BSW and MSW programs.
• Maintain an active research/scholarship agenda.
• Pursue external funding that supports scholarship.
• Engage in service to the School, university, community, and field of social work.
• Mentor students in their academic, research, and service interests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree