Assistant Professor, Social Work

Assistant Professor, Social Work

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

Position Details Location Hattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001

United States Division School of Social Work Position Type Faculty Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded No Pay Grade

Generic Grade

Posting Close Date September 1, 2027

Special Instructions to Applicants

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications should be submitted to jobs.usm.edu. Please contact Jerome Kolbo (jerome.kolbo@usm.edu) to inquire about the position.

A completed application will include 1) a cover letter describing strengths and qualifications for the position, 2) a CV, 3) names and contact information for three references, 4) a statement of teaching philosophy, 5) a research statement, and 6) official academic transcripts. Please limit the teaching philosophy and research statements to no more than two pages in length per statement.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary

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

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

Teaching and Mentorship

Faculty teach across USM''s CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs, with a standard load of 3 courses in the fall and spring. The opportunity to teach both graduate and undergraduate students allows faculty to shape social work education at the foundational and advanced levels, while supporting students as they develop professional identities and prepare for advanced practice and leadership. Our faculty emphasize engaged, student-centered learning and the connection between knowledge and practice. We encourage faculty to bring their own expertise and experience into the curriculum.

Scholarship and Collaboration

We welcome applicants who are building active scholarship programs and want to connect their research with teaching, community partnerships, and real-world impact. Faculty are encouraged to collaborate with community organizations, state agencies, health and human service systems, and colleagues across the University and to pursue interdisciplinary research and external funding.

We are especially interested in candidates whose work aligns with or complements 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. Candidates addressing 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 and systems-level initiatives across Mississippi and the Gulf South. These relationships let faculty connect research and teaching to real-world practice while preparing graduates to serve the region''s diverse communities.

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

Living and Working in Hattiesburg

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

Within USM, the School of Social Work offers a close-knit academic community inside an R1 university, giving new faculty the chance to build strong relationships with colleagues and students while accessing the research infrastructure and interdisciplinary opportunities of a major institution.

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

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

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

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have earned an MSW from a CSWE accredited institution and a PhD or doctorate in Social Work from an accredited college or university. ABD''s nearing 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 Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation''s leading research institutions.

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

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, 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.