Assistant Professor, Social Work

The University of Southern Mississippi; Hattiesburg (MS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The School of Social Work at The University of Southern Mississippi invites applications for four full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor positions beginning August 2027, primarily in Hattiesburg with some teaching at Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.

We seek colleagues who value strong scholarship, excellent teaching, and community engagement within an R1 university, offering growth and connections with local partners.

Qualifications

• Earn an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
• PhD or doctorate in Social Work from an accredited college or university; ABD nearing completion may be considered.

Responsibilities

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

Education

MSW from CSWE-accredited program

PhD or Doctorate in Social Work

Job description

Assistant Professor, Social Work

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Professor, Social Work.

Position Details

LocationHattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001

United States

DivisionSchool of Social Work

Position TypeFaculty

Employment StatusFull Time

Grant FundedNo

Pay Grade

Generic Grade

Posting Close DateSeptember 1, 2027

Job Summary

The School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM)invites applications for four full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professorpositions beginning August 2027. These are nine-month appointments basedprimarily in Hattiesburg, with some teaching at USM's Gulf Park campus in LongBeach.

We're looking for colleagues who believe that strong scholarship,excellent teaching, community engagement, and a sustainable professional lifecan 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 buildingmeaningful connections with colleagues and community members.

Teaching and Mentorship

Faculty teach across USM's CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs, with astandard load of 3 courses in the fall and spring. The opportunity to teachboth graduate and undergraduate students allows faculty to shape social workeducation at the foundational and advanced levels, while supporting students asthey develop professional identities and prepare for advanced practice andleadership. Our faculty emphasize engaged, student-centered learning and theconnection between knowledge and practice. We encourage faculty to bring theirown expertise and experience into the curriculum.

Scholarship and Collaboration

We welcome applicants who are building active scholarship programs andwant to connect their research with teaching, community partnerships, andreal-world impact. Faculty are encouraged to collaborate with communityorganizations, state agencies, health and human service systems, and colleaguesacross the University and to pursue interdisciplinary research and externalfunding.

We are especially interested in candidates whose work aligns with orcomplements 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. Candidatesaddressing 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 andsystems-level initiatives across Mississippi and the Gulf South. Theserelationships let faculty connect research and teaching to real-world practicewhile preparing graduates to serve the region's diverse communities.

The Gulf South offers a compelling setting for scholarship on ruralhealth access, poverty and economic mobility, behavioral health, child andfamily well-being, educational equity, housing instability, and aging. Forscholars interested in community-engaged and applied research, Mississippioffers a mix of rural, suburban, and urban communities in unique areas like theMississippi Delta and the Gulf Coast.

Living and Working in Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg offers the advantages of a university community without the costand congestion of a large metro area. Its location also puts much of the GulfSouth within easy reach: New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and thebeaches of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle are all a short drive away.

Within USM, the School of Social Work offers a close-knit academiccommunity inside an R1 university, giving new faculty the chance to buildstrong relationships with colleagues and students while accessing the researchinfrastructure and interdisciplinary opportunities of a major institution.

Moreinformation about our school can be found at https://www.usm.edu/social-work

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

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

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have earnedan MSW from a CSWE accredited institution and a PhD ordoctorate in Social Work from an accredited college or university. ABD'snearing completion of their dissertation may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of SouthernMississippi has remained dedicated to preparingstudents for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 studentsin Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across theMississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Weare a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work inpolymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringinglanguage to children with communication disorders. We are also a nationalleader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography,nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enterfields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programssuch as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation ofbusiness leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages byproducing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition ofexcellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nationaccredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, ourstudent-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion andpersistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.