Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor, Social Work

JMU Careers; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

James Madison University is inviting applications for a tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position in the Department of Social Work, College of Health and Behavioral Studies (CHBS). The role emphasizes teaching, scholarship, and service with a 3/3 load and a 1/1 advising assignment.

Target start date is August 2027. The department seeks candidates with an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and a doctoral degree, who can contribute to teaching across CSWE areas and to graduate program

Qualifications

• MSW from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or documented equivalent for international programs) and a DSW, PhD, or other doctoral degree related to social work.
• Minimum of two years (24 months) of post-MSW, agency-based practice experience.
• Expertise in direct individual, family, and group practice.
• Rank and appointment commensurate with experience; more extensive record for Associate Professor.

Responsibilities

• Teach, research, and service as a full-time tenure-track faculty member.
• Typical schedule: 3/3 teaching load plus 1/1 active professional advising.
• Contribute to the excellence of the JMU academic community and mentor diverse students.

Skills

Individual practice

Family practice

Group practice

Mentoring students

Education

MSW + doctoral degree

CSWE-accredited program

Job description

Working Title

Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor, Social Work

State Role Title

N/A

Position Type

Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status

Full-Time

FLSA Status

Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division

College of Health and Behavioral Studies

Department

100057 - Social Work

Pay Band

N/A

Pay Rate

Commensurate with Experience

Is this a JMU only position?

No

Is this a grant-funded position?

No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position?

No

Beginning Review Date

10/23/2026

About JMU

Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information

JMU invites applications for one tenure-track position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank in the Department of Social Work, College of Health and Behavioral Studies (CHBS).

The Department of Social Work offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree which is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Department is a thriving academic unit that offers multiple interprofessional educational (IPE) opportunities including an interdisciplinary minor: Family Studies (which has dual foci in family ecology and gerontology). Currently, the Department is actively exploring the development of a CSWE-accredited MSW program.

The BSW program has a long history of excellence, leadership in social work education, and continuous national accreditation. We are a student-centered department that values open interactions between students and faculty. Our faculty of eight members is committed to respectful, supportive collegiality.

CHBS is committed to shaping a forward-thinking and dynamic environment by refining policies, practices, and processes that strengthen our community, drive real-world advancement, and maintain spaces conducive to individual and collective growth. Through education, scholarship, and service, individuals are inspired to make responsible and meaningful contributions to the college, campus, local community, and broader world. Join us in fostering collaboration and innovation as we grow a dynamic college that embodies an atmosphere of belonging, champions excellence, and shares a sense of purpose. James Madison University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a thriving environment where a wide range of perspectives are embraced, and fairness is upheld. More information about CHBS can be found here: https://www.jmu.edu/chbs/join-chbs/index.shtml

Duties and Responsibilities

Full-time instructional faculty on the tenure track are responsible for teaching, research, and service. The department prioritizes teaching, with a typical schedule of 3/3 plus a 1/1 assignment load of active professional advising.

Target starting date is August 2027.

Qualifications

Required

• MSW from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or documented equivalent for international programs) and a DSW, PhD, or other doctoral degree related to social work (ABD candidates with a completion date before August 1, 2027, will be considered)
• Minimum of two years (24 months) of post-MSW, agency-based practice experience
• Expertise in direct individual, family, and group practice
• The department is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their teaching, professional qualifications, and/or social work practice, to the excellence of the JMU academic community; candidates should demonstrate the ability to engage successfully with a broad range of students and colleagues, to help students understand various perspectives, and to mentor varied students and communities
• Rank and appointment will be commensurate with experience and qualifications; a more extensive record of scholarship, teaching, and service is required for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience teaching across CSWE curricular areas particularly in individual, family, and group -practice
• Demonstrated interest in graduate social work education program development

Conditions of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.