Sociology and Social Work Faculty

Calvin University•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

Calvin University invites applications for a full-time faculty member in the Sociology and Social Work Department to teach social work beginning in July 2027. The appointment will be at the assistant professor rank and may be tenure-track or Professor of Practice. The faculty member will contribute to the university’s BSW and MSW programs and may have opportunities to teach in the Calvin Prison Initiative and/or Adult Degree Completion programs. The role calls for effective undergraduate and graduate teaching across in-person, online, HyFlex, and hybrid formats, and with students from varied educational backgrounds. Faculty members typically teach 24 semester hours per academic year. Faculty are expected to grow in Reformed Christian commitment, pursue an active scholarly agenda, teach effectively, and serve the university, department, students, and wider community. Applicants must affirm their commitment to Calvin University’s educational mission as a Christian liberal arts university in the Reformed tradition, affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church. Tenure-track applicants should demonstrate a developing or established record of relevant research and publication; Professor of Practice applicants should demonstrate sustained clinical practice and professional engagement. The university prioritizes candidates with broad interdisciplinary interests, a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the ability to integrate questions of meaning, significance, and ethics into course content, and a deep commitment to engaging students beyond the classroom. Calvin provides faculty development opportunities and resources supporting teaching and research, including sabbaticals, grants, course releases, summer research stipends, travel funds, and student research opportunities.

Requirements

Vibrant Christian faith and dedication to integrating faith with the field of study.
PhD in Social Work or Doctorate in Social Work (DSW); candidates with a related doctoral degree will also be considered.
Excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
Ability and enthusiasm to teach students with varied educational backgrounds across multiple formats, including in-person, online, HyFlex, and hybrid instruction.
Commitment to Calvin University's educational mission as a Christian liberal arts university in the Reformed tradition, affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.
Commitment to the Christian faith and to integrating faith, learning, and student development.
Awareness and commitment to establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity, including race, gender, physical limitations, class, and religious perspectives.

Nice To Haves

Broad interdisciplinary interests.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ability to integrate questions of meaning, significance, and ethics into course content.
Deep commitment to engaging students beyond the classroom.
For tenure-track appointments: a developing or established record of relevant research and publication.
For Professor of Practice appointments: sustained clinical practice and professional engagement.

Responsibilities

Teach social work in the BSW and MSW programs, typically 24 semester hours per academic year.
Teach effectively at undergraduate and graduate levels and across in-person, online, HyFlex, and hybrid formats.
Pursue an active scholarly agenda.
Serve the university, department, students, and wider community.
Integrate questions of meaning, significance, and ethics into course content.
Engage students beyond the classroom.
Grow in Reformed Christian commitment and integrate faith, learning, and student development.