Description
The Department of Human Services invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor to serve as Program Director of the Social Work program beginning July 1, 2026. This is an on-campus faculty position that provides a course release per semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) to perform program director duties. The selected candidate will be providing academic and administrative leadership to a dynamic CSWE accredited program, be responsible for teaching courses in the candidate’s area of expertise, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service at the department, college, and university levels.
The Social Work program housed in the Department of Human Services, was founded in 1995 and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program has a generalist focus and prepares students for licensure and professional social work practice through a rigorous, competency-based curriculum aligned with CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Rooted in CSWE’s Signature Pedagogy of Field Education, the program integrates classroom learning with robust, supervised field experiences across South Georgia and the region. Our hybrid pedagogy combines face-to-face, synchronous, and asynchronous online modalities to meet the needs of diverse learners while maintaining a strong emphasis on relational, skills-based instruction. Students gain hands-on experience through field placements in behavioral health, medical, school, and community settings, where they develop core social work competencies including engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and advocacy. Our mission emphasizes ethical and evidence-informed practice that promotes the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Online application is required. For full consideration, please apply by January 15, 2026. For more information contact Dr. Heather Kelley, Head, via email hkelley@valdosta.edu or phone 229-259-5078.
Applicants should submit:
- A cover letter addressing qualifications and leadership philosophy
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- Statement of research interests and accomplishments
- Contact information for at least three professional references
RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the department head, the Director is responsible for the following:
- Oversee the Social Work program by providing academic leadership and administrative oversight to include compliance with CSWE accreditation standards and maintenance of full accreditation status
- Lead program scheduling and strategic planning
- Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses in a variety of modalities (online, hybrid, and face-to-face on campus)
- Liaise with the Social Work Field Director
- Coordinate field education partnerships and experiential learning initiatives
- Guide curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement aligned with CSWE and VSU competencies and licensure standards
- Conduct a research agenda that includes publications, presentations, and grant writing
- Engage in academic advising and professional mentorship
- Foster partnerships with regional social service agencies and community organizations
- Lead initiatives to host educational conferences for the region
- Participate in departmental, college, university, community, and regional service
- Perform related duties as assigned
The Dewar College of Education and Human Services prepare professionals for multiple roles in 21st century educational, business, and community settings. The College is home to five departments (Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development, Teacher Education, Human Services, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Library and Information Studies). The Dewar College of Education and Human Services is an American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) award winning institution and is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). In addition, several of the college programs are accredited or nationally recognized by their specialized professional organizations.
Valdosta State University, founded in 1906, is a comprehensive university with a student enrollment of approximately 10,200. The city of Valdosta is located just north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75, is served by a regional airport, and is within a two-hour drive of Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information visit https://www.valdosta.edu and more information about the community visit https://www.valdostachamber.com.
Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Requirements
REQUIRED QUAFLICATIONS
- Doctorate in Social Work (Ph.D. or DSW)
- MSW from an accredited CSWE program with a minimum of two-years post master’s experience
- Eligibility for social work licensure (LMSW or LCSW) in the State of Georgia
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, and ability to effectively lead and collaborate with faculty
- Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, as well as scholarship and service
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A record of effective teaching appropriate to the applicant’s career stage
- Held the rank of assistant or associate professor at an academic institution
- Prior leadership experience in higher education (e.g., program director, field director, department chair)
- Experience developing hybrid and online instructional formats
- Experience with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
- Ability to successfully work in collaborative settings
- Record of mentoring students
