Full-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty, Master of Social Work

Point Loma Nazarene University • San Diego, CA

75d • $87,210 - $142,678 • Onsite

About The Position

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God’s kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally and academically diverse faculty of the highest caliber, skilled and/or demonstrating great potential in the practice of teaching and scholarship. The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in the Master of Social Work program, which launched in Fall 2025. The position begins May of 2026 and will be based on-site at the San Diego campus. Applications are welcomed from candidates across all areas of social work. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in teaching within a Christian liberal arts context and show potential for scholarship and service. Applications from historically marginalized groups are strongly encouraged. The review of applications will begin on December 1 and will continue until the position is filled.

Requirements

• Master of Social Work from a CSWE accredited program.
• Minimum of two years post MSW experience.
• Ph.D., D.S.W., or Ed.D. in social work or related field from an accredited university.
• Deep commitment to ADEI as conceptualized by the profession of social work. Can express a basic understanding of how people’s needs, priorities, concerns might be different based on their life experience, socioeconomic standing, first generation status, etc; can identify when/where they need to find additional support, expertise and resources.
• Thorough commitment to the concept of Christian graduate education and a desire to work in a Christian university.
• Supportive of the religious and educational goals of the university and its sponsoring denomination.
• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement.
• In addition, faculty agree to live in agreement with PLNU’s Community Life Covenant.
• The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
• PLNU will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local "Fair Chance" laws.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working as a social worker in the areas of medical social work, child welfare, psychotherapy, working with veterans, and/or school social work.
• Candidates with experience teaching MSW courses.
• Candidates from underrepresented and underserved communities are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Teaching & Curriculum Development Design and teach MSW courses at the generalist and advanced levels. Develop syllabi, assignments, rubrics, and assessments aligned with CSWE 2022 EPAS competencies. Integrate evidence-based practice, cultural humility, ADEI (anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion), and faith integration. Use active learning strategies such as role plays, simulations, case studies, and group projects. Update curriculum to reflect emerging trends in social work practice, policy, and research.
• Field Education Support Serve as a faculty liaison to agencies, conducting site visits and evaluating student progress. Provide field supervision for students in placements without available MSW supervision available.
• Scholarship & Professional Development Engage in scholarly activities such as research, writing, and conference presentations. Stay current with developments in social work practice, theory, and pedagogy. Contribute to knowledge that informs policy, practice, or education.
• Service & Leadership Participate in faculty meetings, committees, and accreditation processes (CSWE). The MSW program is in pre-candidacy. Engage with the community through partnerships, service projects, and advocacy. Support recruitment, admissions, and retention efforts for the MSW program. Mentor junior faculty or adjunct instructors. Serve on university-wide or community advisory boards.
• Assessment & Accreditation Contribute to program assessment (e.g., mapping courses to competencies). Assist with self-studies and reports for CSWE accreditation. Collect and analyze student learning outcomes to improve the curriculum.

Benefits

• We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, and competitive retirement matching.
• There also may be opportunities for university assistance with the cost of housing in Southern California.
• In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including faculty chapel, weekly faculty lunches and a robust wellness program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees