Social Work Opening

Social Work Program, School of Professional Programs

POSITION SUMMARY

Franciscan University, founded in 1946 by friars of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance, integrates excellent academic programs with a dynamic faith environment to serve 2,500 students from all 50 states and 17 countries on campus and an additional 1,000 students online. Franciscan University is one of 18 faithfully Catholic universities in the U.S. endorsed by the Cardinal Newman Society.

The Department of Counseling and Social Work at Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS) seeks to hire one tenure-track faculty member for its newly approved, fully online Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate program. The tenure-track faculty appointment will begin in Fall 2027. The ideal candidate will hold a terminal degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited program, or in a related field. Applicants must hold an MSW degree from a CSWE accredited program, and two or more years of post-master’s social work professional experience. This faculty position includes online course development, delivery, and leadership responsibilities in field education, as it is expected to serve as Director of Field Education for the MSW program.

The vision and values of the graduate MSW Program align with those of the University, which is leading the renaissance of Catholic higher education called for in Ex corde Ecclesiae. The Program mission is committed to developing professional social workers to put their faith in action, at to make God’s love visible to all peoples. Thus, candidates should be passionate about the Catholic and Franciscan mission of the University and have a compelling vision for how that mission aligns with their teaching philosophy, applied or original scholarly work, and best evidence-based practices of the social work profession. The preferred candidate is committed to teaching excellence.

 

MAJOR RESPONSILITIES:

  • Teach graduate-level MSW courses in a fully online format, with potential focus areas including mental and behavioral health, and clinical social work from a Catholic faith-based biopsychosocial-spiritual approach. The preferred candidate could also teach and/or support the delivery of curriculum of the existing and fully accredited Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program.

  • Demonstrate effective use of learning management systems and educational technologies appropriate to high‑quality online social work education.

  • Provide students with rigorous, innovative, and service-learning educational experiences grounded in real-world social work practice

  • Be able to articulate for students how Catholic social teaching and the Catholic intellectual tradition enlivens the social worker role in a professionally appropriate way

  • Design and maintenance of the field education curriculum as the program’s signature pedagogy, ensuring field experiences meet required competencies, learning outcomes, and hour requirements, and preparing field-related documentation for accreditation requirements.

  • Contribute to the development of best practices for online field education, including virtual supervision and remote practice settings where appropriate.

  • Collaborate with faculty on program development initiatives and best practices for teaching excellence.

  • Mentor and advise online graduate students, including supervision of capstone research projects as appropriate.

  • Contribute with program accreditation duties.

  • Engage in service and scholarly activity that aligns with program and university needs and expectations.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE accredited graduate social work program. Doctoral Degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited program, or in a related field is preferred.

  • Two or more years or post-master’s social work professional experience is required.

  • Devoted to ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest research in social work practice and education.

  • Ability to manage complex administrative responsibilities, documentation, and compliance processes related to field education

  • Demonstrated competence using instructional technologies, data tracking systems, and digital communication tools.

  • Demonstrated experience in the supervision of practicum and internship experiences.

  • Demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence, scholarship, and University mission.

 

TO APPLY

  • a letter of application
  • curriculum vitae
  • evidence of teaching effectiveness, including evaluations if available
  • a statement of teaching philosophy
  • a statement addressing personal and professional fit with the mission of Franciscan University
  • three letters of reference
  • official transcripts

All materials must be submitted electronically to Dr. Ricardo Chaparro-Pacheco, via [email protected]. Review of completed applications will continue until the position is filled. For additional information, see https://franciscan.edu/faculty-openings/.

Franciscan University of Steubenville is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and is an equal opportunity employer.

null