"Associate/Full Professor-Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) Program Director-Social Work-Fall 2026"

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Social Work invites applications for a full-time faculty position as Director of the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program for our accredited DSW program. We are looking for a proven leader who has strong clinical practice experience, understands the needs of working MSW-level practitioners, and has a background working with online education. The successful candidate will help the CSW move forward in our commitment to the College’s mission and vision.

The Director of the Doctor of Social Work Program has the primary responsibility for managing day-to-day programmatic activities for this online program. This position oversees admissions, curriculum development and implementation, student advising, faculty teaching assignments, program assessment, and compliance with accreditation standards. The DSW Program Director is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders. The DSW Director promotes the School’s connection with the practice community through active engagement with relevant professional associations at the local and national levels. The level of this position requires comprehensive knowledge and understanding of university practices and processes, sound judgment and decision-making skills, the ability to work collaboratively on a team, and the ability to create a vision and leadership for the DSW Program.

Candidates for this position must have earned a doctoral degree in social work. They also will meet the requirments for the appoinment at the appropriate rank for the University of Tennessee. Successful candidates would need to meet the qualifications in order to be eligible to pursue tenure upon initial appointment. The positions can be located on the Knoxville campus, the Nashville campus, or may work remote. This is a 12-month position.

Required Qualifications

• A doctoral degree in Social Work or related field MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• At least five years of experience as a clinical social worker and/or social work manager
• A record of outstanding teaching experience at a university level, including considerable graduate-level and online teaching
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Evidence of scholarly or applied substantive expertise in one or more content areas in the DSW Curriculum
• Demonstrated leadership in the profession (i.e., leadership in social service or nonprofit agencies and/or in social work education, etc.)
• Evidence of commitment to creating a welcoming, positive climate in classroom and research settings where all students can succeed and thrive

Preferred Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or D.S.W.in Social Work
• Experience in doctoral education
• Experience in academic administration
• Commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration
• Experience with academic innovations such as course development, curricular modifications, implementing innovative teaching methods, or novel strategies for course evaluations
• For associate professor, established record of excellence in teaching across multiple modalities (online, hybrid, in-person) including teaching innovations or developing new courses and/or mentorship of DSW/PhD students in teaching, practicum, or dissertation/capstone projects.
• For associate professor, publication record, including scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), with consideration for leadership roles (peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, practitioner-focused pieces).
• For associate professor, recognition of scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) through invited talks, conference presentations, or integration into broader practice and/or evidence of impact on pedagogy or professional practice
• For associate professors, leadership of program-level initiatives, involvement in accreditation or program review processes and/or active membership and committee work in professional organizations
• For full professor, development of signature pedagogical models or courses and mentorship of early career faculty and doc students
• For full professors, publications that shape the field?s discourse in pedagogy, professional practice, or leadership.

Interested individuals should provide: (1) a cover letter addressing research, teaching, and practice experience as well as experience relevant to each required and preferred qualification, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a writing sample (preferably a published article), and (4) contact information for three professional references. In your letter, pay specific attention to your experiences that are not easily found on your CV. Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by October 15, 2025, though review may continue until an appointment is made. Materials should be submitted electronically https://apply.interfolio.com/173793. Inquiries may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Bridget Freisthler at bfreisth@utk.edu