Professor of Practice & Director of Social Work Program

Department: School of Education & Behavioral Sciences
Department Number: 23055
Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Tenure Track
Salary Range: $44,000–$52,000 annually, commensurate with credentials and professional background
Location: On-Campus, Ferrum, Virginia, with regional community and agency travel
Reports To: Provost/Dean of Faculty

Who We Are

At Ferrum College, our students enter with promise and leave with purpose. Ferrum College is a liberal arts institution committed to providing student-centered, experiential learning that prepares graduates for meaningful careers and lives of service. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, our collaborative academic community values teaching excellence, inclusive instruction, student mentorship, and active community engagement.

What We’re Looking For

Ferrum College's School of Education and Behavioral Sciences is seeking a dedicated and accomplished Professor of Practice & Director of Social Work Program to provide academic, administrative, and strategic leadership for the College's Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program.

This full-time, non-tenure-track faculty and administrative position combines undergraduate instruction and professional mentorship with responsibility for program oversight, accreditation compliance, course scheduling, enrollment management, curriculum development, and departmental budget monitoring. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership abilities, professional social work knowledge, and a commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers in the field.

Key Responsibilities

Program Administration and Accreditation Leadership

• Serve as Program Director for Externally Accredited Programs, as defined in the Ferrum College Faculty Handbook, providing overall leadership and strategic direction for the B.S.W. program.
• Plan semester course schedules and manage course rotations.
• Oversee compliance with CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), including reaffirmation self-studies, site visits, and annual reporting.
• Manage the departmental operating budget in collaboration with the School Chair and Dean of Faculty.
• Recruit, onboard, and evaluate adjunct faculty and field instructors in accordance with institutional procedures.
• Coordinate departmental workflows with shared administrative support personnel.

Teaching and Student Success

• Teach undergraduate courses within the Bachelor of Social Work curriculum through face-to-face, hybrid, and online instruction using Brightspace D2L.
• Develop and revise curriculum to maintain alignment with CSWE standards and current professional social work practices.
• Incorporate experiential, project-based, and applied learning approaches to prepare students for generalist social work practice in rural and urban settings.
• Advise and mentor students regarding academic, professional, and career goals.
• Maintain required virtual and on-campus office hours.
• Support student retention, engagement, academic progression, and career readiness.

Field Education and Experiential Learning

• Work closely with the Social Work Field Education Coordinator to oversee field placements, practica, clinical sites, and community service-learning opportunities.
• Establish and maintain formal affiliation agreements and working relationships with public and private child welfare agencies, healthcare and behavioral health organizations, school systems, and community action partners throughout Southwest Virginia.
• Facilitate networking opportunities and strengthen connections between students and community agencies.
• Incorporate contemporary practice topics, including trauma-informed care, telehealth, and rural service delivery, into classroom instruction and field seminar discussions.

Professional Engagement and Licensure

• Maintain active involvement in the social work profession through clinical or administrative practice, professional organizations such as NASW and CSWE, consulting, or public service.
• Maintain active social work licensure (LSW or LCSW) in the Commonwealth of Virginia to support program leadership, clinical instruction, and field oversight.
• Incorporate current professional trends, agency standards, and policy developments into the curriculum.
• Enhance the visibility and reputation of Ferrum College through community engagement and external agency partnerships.

Service and Institutional Engagement

• Participate in faculty governance, committee work, assessment activities, program reviews, and recruitment initiatives.
• Execute the annual Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan (SLOAP).
• Upload accreditation data using established reporting systems, including Xitracs.
• Fulfill other professional and administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Provost and Dean of Faculty.

Who You Are

You are an accomplished social work professional with strong administrative leadership and organizational abilities. You understand the importance of accreditation standards, program assessment, and effective academic administration. You are committed to student-centered teaching, academic advising, and professional mentorship, and you can connect social work theory with practical application.

You value collaboration, maintain strong professional relationships within the community, and are enthusiastic about contributing to a teaching-focused liberal arts environment. You are also comfortable working with diverse populations and supporting students as they develop the knowledge and skills necessary for professional social work practice.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited institution.
• Professional Practice: A minimum of two years of post-MSW social work practice, as required for teaching social work practice courses under CSWE standards.
• Professional and Administrative Background: Typically 2–5 or more years in social work practice, agency administration, clinical supervision, or academic program leadership.
• Licensure: Active social work licensure (LSW or LCSW) or clear eligibility to maintain active licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Leadership Abilities: Demonstrated ability to manage programs, coordinate course schedules, and maintain accreditation compliance.
• Teaching and Mentorship: Demonstrated potential or a proven record of effective teaching, field supervision, and student mentoring.
• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to Education: Dedication to undergraduate education, student development, and Ferrum College's mission of student empowerment and rural service.
• Online Instruction: Completion of, or willingness to complete, Ferrum College's Online Teaching Certification Course (OTCC) before delivering online courses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in Virginia.
• Five or more years of post-M.S.W. professional practice and/or administrative leadership, particularly within rural or underserved community service systems throughout Southwest Virginia and Appalachia.
• Previous service as a CSWE Program Director, Field Education Director, or higher education administrator.
• Direct involvement with CSWE EPAS self-study preparation and accreditation site visits.
• Proficiency with Learning Management Systems, particularly Brightspace D2L, and electronic assessment software such as Xitracs.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique?

This position offers the opportunity to lead and shape Ferrum College's accredited Bachelor of Social Work program while making a meaningful impact on students and the surrounding community. By combining faculty instruction with program leadership, the Professor of Practice & Director will help strengthen academic quality, maintain accreditation standards, build community partnerships, and prepare future social work professionals for meaningful careers and lives of service.

This appointment also provides administrative course release and stipend support in accordance with Ferrum College policies governing Program Directors for Externally Accredited Programs. Appointments may be renewed based on institutional need, performance, and continued professional engagement.

What We Offer

Ferrum College provides a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan Options (TIAA/CREF)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Holidays, Personal Leave, and Sick Leave
• Tuition Remission and Educational Benefits for employees and eligible dependents
• Professional Development and Licensure Maintenance Support

Ready to Join Our Team?

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically through the Ferrum College Career Portal:

• Letter of Interest/Cover Letter detailing administrative background, professional practice, teaching philosophy, and alignment with Ferrum College's B.S.W. mission.
• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Professional Resume.
• Statement of Program Leadership & Teaching Philosophy.
• Copy of Active Social Work License/Credentials.
• Unofficial Graduate and Undergraduate Transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire).
• Contact Information for Three Professional References.

Ferrum College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.