| Location | WA |
| Salary | $59,572–$63,718 Per Year |
Assistant Professor, Social Work
Salary
$59,572.00 - $63,718.00 Annually
Location
Whitworth University Campus
Job Type
Faculty (tenure track)
Division
Academic Affairs
Department
Health Science
Opening Date
11/02/2026
FLSA
Exempt
FTE
1.0
Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement.
Position Summary
The assistant professor of social work is a full-time, tenure-track faculty member in Whitworth University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program, a healthcare and behavioral health degree housed in the School of Health Sciences that enrolls its inaugural cohort in fall 2027. MSW faculty teach across the generalist and specialized practice sequences, serve as trusted advisors and mentors to MSW students. In this role, you will contribute to curriculum development, competency-based assessment, and accreditation documentation. All of this work is carried out in support of Whitworth's mission to provide an education of mind and heart that equips students to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity.
Whitworth is seeking two faculty members to join our Master of Social Work (MSW) program beginning July 1, 2027.
Core Responsibilities
Teaching and Instruction
Teach 21 credits per academic year across the fall semester, Jan Term, and spring semester, in both the generalist first-year and specialized second-year sequences. Prepare and deliver in-person instruction in skills-based social work practice courses and online instruction for courses designated for that format. Design course materials, learning activities, and graded assignments that operationalize the nine CSWE 2022 EPAS competencies and integrate evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practice frameworks. Evaluate student work and provide timely, constructive feedback aligned with published program learning outcomes. Maintain regular office hours and respond to student inquiries within the timeframes established in the MSW Student Handbook. Revise courses in response to student course evaluations, assessment data, and changes in practice standards.
Student Advising, Mentoring, and Professional Preparation
Serve as academic advisor to an assigned caseload of MSW students, guiding course sequencing, degree progress, and part-time and full-time pathway planning. Mentor students in professional identity development, licensure preparation, and career planning in healthcare and behavioral health settings. Support students in preparing for and succeeding in field placement in partnership with the field director. Identify students experiencing academic or professional performance concerns early, document those concerns, and implement the program's academic and professional review procedures as outlined in the student handbook. Participate in admissions review and applicant interviews as assigned. Write letters of reference and support students in scholarship, conference, and employment applications.
Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Accreditation
Contribute to the design, review, and revision of MSW curriculum, including syllabi, course sequencing, and the elective slate. Develop and score competency-based assessment measures, including assignment prompts and rubrics keyed to the nine CSWE competencies and their behaviors. Collect, enter, and analyze assessment data and participate in the annual review of program outcomes, contributing to changes in curriculum and program design that follow from those findings. Draft and review narrative and evidence submitted for CSWE benchmark documents, site visits, and reaffirmation, and for Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) institutional reporting. Maintain working knowledge of the CSWE 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards and the accreditation policies that govern the program's candidacy and accreditation status.
Scholarship and Professional Development
Maintain an active professional identity through scholarly activity, applied research, practice engagement, or professional publication, consistent with the expectations for rank and tenure set out in the Whitworth University faculty handbook. Pursue professional development relevant to social work education and to the healthcare and behavioral health practice context, including continuing education required to maintain any professional license held. Present at regional or national professional conferences and participate in professional associations such as NASW and CSWE. Involve MSW students in research, program evaluation, and scholarly projects where appropriate. Remain current with developments in social work practice, licensure regulation, and behavioral health policy that bear on the curriculum.
Service to the Program, School, University, and Profession
Participate in MSW program meetings, retreats, and governance, and in School of Health Sciences and university faculty governance, committees, and assemblies. Represent the MSW program to prospective students at recruitment events, open houses, and information sessions. Build and sustain working relationships with healthcare and behavioral health agencies, field instructors, and community stakeholders in the Inland Northwest region. Contribute to the practice community advisory structures through which the program gathers input from employers and practitioners. Serve the profession through peer review, board service, volunteer practice, or continuing education delivery as opportunity allows.
Other Duties as Assigned
Perform other duties as assigned by the MSW program director or the dean of the School of Health Sciences in support of the program and the university. Because the MSW program is newly established, these duties may include tasks associated with program launch. The distribution of time across the functions above may shift from year to year by agreement with the program director as the program moves from launch through initial accreditation.
Qualifications and Core Competencies
Earned Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and an earned doctoral degree (DSW, Ph.D. in Social Work, or a closely related field). Applicants who are ABD (All But Dissertation) with a plan for degree completion by fall 2027 will be considered.
A minimum of two (2) years of post-MSW professional social work practice experience, also a CSWE requirement.
Demonstrated competence in at least one area of social work practice relevant to healthcare, behavioral health, or a related field.
Experience teaching, training, supervising, or mentoring in social work or a closely related human services context.
Demonstrated commitment to ethical, culturally responsive practice and education consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics.
Faculty who teach clinical practice content are expected to maintain current working knowledge of Washington state social work licensure standards.
A personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith and learning.
A commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a comprehensive Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church.
Preferred Qualifications
Other Details
Schedule
Nine-month academic-year faculty appointment covering the fall semester, Jan Term, and spring semester, with a standard load of 21 credits per year. Instruction is delivered primarily in person on the Whitworth campus in Spokane, with select courses offered online. Expect afternoon and evening course scheduling and periodic travel to field agency sites and community partners in the Spokane region. A valid driver's license is required.
Salary Information
Assistant Professor, Social Work
Term: 9 months
$59,572 to $63,718
Commensurate with years of credited service. 1.75% increase to the minimum salary is granted for each year of service at the rank of assistant professor.
This search is recruiting for two (2) full-time, tenure-track positions. Together, the two appointments cover the full range of the MSW curriculum and may be differentiated based on applicant strengths and program needs. Areas of interest include but are not limited to clinical social work, mental health assessment and intervention, substance use disorders, medical social work, health policy and advocacy, integrated behavioral health, community mental health, trauma-informed practice, research and program evaluation, human behavior and development, social work ethics, and faith-integrated practice. Applicants should describe their teaching interests and areas of expertise in their cover letter. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.
Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor god, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university's mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work.
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, CV, evidence of teaching effectiveness, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of employment, including those on OPT. Whitworth University does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.
You are on this webpage because a position at Whitworth sparked your curiosity. If you find yourself questioning hitting the apply button because you might not meet 100% of the qualifications, we think you should do it! When you click apply and submit an application, your application is reviewed by a committee of real, living, and breathing human beings who want to understand your background, experience and skills to find ways you relate to the key competencies needed for success in the position.
Looking for resources to help with writing a faith statement? Check out our faith statement resource page for more information.
Whitworth complies with all federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to religious nonprofit institutions and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, sex, or disability. With our Christ-centered commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, the university encourages applications from populations underrepresented at Whitworth including members of racial/ethnic communities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Online applications are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted.
It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
At Whitworth University, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our faculty, staff, and their families by offering an extensive benefits package. Eligible employees can enjoy a variety of benefits, including:
To discover more about these offerings, please visit our benefits page.
Employer Whitworth University
Address 300 W Hawthorne
Spokane, Washington, 99251
Phone 5097774872
Website http://www.whitworth.edu