Sociology and Social Work Faculty

Calvin University•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

Calvin University seeks a full-time faculty member to teach social work in its Sociology and Social Work Department beginning in July 2027. The appointment is at the assistant professor rank and may be tenure-track or Professor of Practice. The faculty member will contribute to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs, with possible opportunities to teach in the Calvin Prison Initiative and/or Adult Degree Completion programs. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and the ability and enthusiasm to teach students from varied educational backgrounds in in-person, online, HyFlex, and hybrid formats. Tenure-track candidates should have a developing or established record of relevant research and publication. Professor of Practice candidates should demonstrate sustained clinical practice and professional engagement. The university prioritizes broad interdisciplinary interests, commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the ability to integrate questions of meaning, significance, and ethics into course content, and commitment to engaging students beyond the classroom. Faculty typically teach 24 semester hours per academic year. They are expected to grow in Reformed Christian commitment, pursue an active scholarly agenda, teach effectively, and serve the university, department, students, and wider community. Candidates 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. Calvin provides faculty development and resources supporting teaching and research, including sabbaticals, grants, course releases, summer research stipends, travel funds, and student research opportunities. Applications are reviewed beginning immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Requirements

A vibrant Christian faith and dedication to integrating faith with the field of study.
Ideal candidates will hold a PhD in Social Work or a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW); candidates with a related doctoral degree will also be considered.
Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
Ability and enthusiasm to teach students with varied educational backgrounds across in-person, online, HyFlex, and hybrid formats.
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 integration of faith, learning, and student development.
Demonstrated awareness and commitment to building relationships and communicating positively 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 all 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 Sociology and Social Work Department, contributing to the BSW and MSW programs.
Potentially teach in the Calvin Prison Initiative and/or Adult Degree Completion programs.
Teach undergraduate and graduate students effectively across in-person, online, HyFlex, and hybrid formats.
Typically teach 24 semester hours per academic year.
Pursue an active scholarly agenda.
Serve the university, department, students, and wider community.
Engage students beyond the classroom.
Integrate questions of meaning, significance, and ethics into course content.
Grow in Reformed Christian commitment and integrate faith with the field of study.