Announcement – Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
Job Title: Assistant Professor of Social Work (2 positions)
Department/School: School of Social Work
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Start date: August 16, 2027
Position Summary: The School of Social Work in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for 2 tenure-track Assistant Professor positions to start in August 2027. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment.
These Assistant Professors of Social Work positions are 9-month, tenure-track, full-time faculty positions. The successful candidates will complement existing strengths within the School of Social Work, housed within the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, and demonstrate an aptitude for conducting research leading to publication, engaging in scholarly activities, designing graduate and undergraduate courses, developing and implementing new methods of teaching to reflect changes in the field, providing curriculum material, constructing syllabi, leading classroom instruction, writing and administering exams, mentoring and evaluating students, creating interest and understanding among students, serving on various faculty- and student-oriented committees, providing service on campus an in related professional organizations, and participating in faculty governance in the department and on campus.
This is an in-person position. The School of Social Work offers both face-to-face and online courses, and extensive in-person and online engagement in activities such as office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential to advancing student success and departmental effectiveness.
Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
About the Department:
The School of Social Work at the University of Arkansas, housed within the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, advances social, economic, and environmental justice through excellence in education, research, and community engagement. As part of Arkansas' land-grant institution, the School prepares ethical, competent, and evidence-informed social work practitioners committed to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities across Arkansas, the Ozark region, nationally, and globally.
The School offers fully accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degree programs, delivering rigorous curricula across traditional face-to-face and online learning platforms. Our faculty lead dynamic research programs in areas such as rural health disparities, health equity, child welfare, aging, the criminal justice system, macro policy analysis, and behavioral health. The School emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, robust community partnerships, and student-centered mentorship in an academic environment that values research excellence and applied practice.
We are dedicated to fostering a community of competent and ethical social work leader-practitioners. Through student-centered experiential learning, rigorous research, and committed community engagement, we prepare our students to become advocates for social and economic justice and equity. Our program integrates classroom knowledge with real-world application. We aim to empower social workers who will enhance the quality of life for all individuals, families, and communities both within Arkansas and globally, believing that through our efforts, Arkansas can truly be a land of opportunity for all.
Duties will include:
- 40% Teaching or Professional Performance
- 40% Research/Scholarly and/or Creative Activities
- 20% Academic Service Activities
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Social Work or a closely related field from an accredited institution (ABD considered, provided doctorate is completed prior to the start date).
- Eligible for social work licensure in Arkansas
- Demonstrated potential for excellence in university-level teaching.
- Demonstrated potential for developing a strong, sustainable research agenda and securing external funding.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two (2) years of post-MSW practice experience.
- Demonstrated track record of community-engaged research or interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Record of successful publication and/or external funding in the thematic and/or methodological areas of position focus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
- Deep knowledge of social work history, ethics, theory, and macro/micro practice frameworks.
- Strong commitment to effective pedagogical practices and student mentoring.
- Practical literacy in modern educational technologies (including LMS platforms and synchronous video conferencing).
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Completed applications received by October 25 will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.
For additional inquiries, please contact the search committee co-chairs, Marcia Shobe and LaShawnda Fields at mshobe@uark.edu or lnfields@uark.edu .
For a complete position announcement and information regarding how to apply, visit https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UAF_External_Career_Site/details/Assistant-Professor-of-Social-Work--Two-Open-Positions-_R0091281?q=R0091281
Applicants must submit:
- A cover letter
- Narrative detailing teaching philosophy, research agenda, and qualification alignment
- A curriculum vitae
- Three (3) Professional Reference Letters (including name, title, institution, email, and phone number)
- A sample of scholarly writing or publication
- Teaching evaluations if applicable
We will begin application reviews immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Annual Salary/Benefits Package: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.
EMPLOYER INFORMATION
The University of Arkansas: Founded in 1871 as a land grant institution, the University of Arkansas is classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the top two percent of universities in the nation with the highest level of research activity. Ten colleges and schools serve more than 27,100 students with more than 200 academic programs. University of Arkansas students earn nationally competitive awards at an impressive rate and represent 50 states and more than 120 countries. The University of Arkansas is committed to providing an educational and work environment in which thought, creativity, and growth are stimulated, and in which individuals are free to realize their full potential.
Fulbright College: The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is a vital public good. We provide a transformational education that prepares all students to lead and thrive in a complex world. Our research, scholarship, and creative expression address society’s great challenges and push the boundaries of human understanding. As the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus, with 3 schools, 16 departments, and 43 academic programs and research centers, Fulbright College brings the world to Arkansas and Arkansas to the world.
The Community: Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas campus and is known for its spectacular views and ample green spaces. Fayetteville is considered one of the country’s finest college towns, and the surrounding northwest Arkansas region is regularly ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. Some of the nation’s best outdoor amenities and most spectacular hiking trails are within a short drive of campus.
For more information, visit: https://diversitynwa.com/
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment. All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
