Social Work Tenure - Line Assistant or Associate Professor

Department: College of Public Health

Classification: 9-month Instructional Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Department of Social Work is dedicated to advancing holistic human health and well-being by engaging with diverse populations across various systems and throughout the life course. Our internationally recognized faculty bring research expertise in key areas such as substance use, mental health, sexual health, violence prevention, gerontology, family functioning, and child development. The department has a long-standing tradition of faculty-student-community research collaborations that strengthen both social work education and practice. The department is at the forefront of research and training the next generation of social workers using evidence-based practices and leveraging cutting-edge methodologies, including digital technology, computing techniques, creative arts, and trauma-informed holistic approaches to promote community-engaged research and interventions. The department has a strong culture of research collaboration among faculty members within the department and across the College of Public Health.

Offering both BSW and MSW programs, including a fully online MSW option, our curriculum is rooted in social justice, and it provides students with foundational social work knowledge. We emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and preparedness for diverse roles in clinical, organizational, and community settings. Situated within a College of Public Health, our students benefit from unique interprofessional and interdisciplinary opportunities, which deepen their understanding of the root causes of social issues and help shape their career trajectories. Students gain valuable hands-on experience through partnerships with over 300 practicum sites across the nation and are invited to collaborate with faculty on impactful research through initiatives like the Social Work integrative Research Lab (SWiRL). Located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the department offers an ideal environment to engage with diverse populations and to influence social change at the local, regional, and national levels. Further information about the department may be found at https://socialwork.gmu.edu.

About the Position:

The George Mason University Department of Social Work seeks an accomplished Assistant or Associate Professor to join our department in August of 2026. We are looking for a public health-oriented social worker focused on prevention and/or implementation science within the content areas of integrated health, mental health, and/or trauma-related conditions that complement the department’s existing portfolio. This is a 9-month tenure-line academic year appointment for candidates with a strong record of scholarly productivity commensurate with rank, a successful record of extramural funding or demonstration of ability to earn extramural funding, teaching excellence, and a commitment to public health and social work practice, education, and research.

Responsibilities:

• Teaching:
  • Teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in person, online, and/or hybrid; and
  • Mentors graduate and undergraduate students. 
• Research:
  • Conducts research, publishes research findings in peer reviewed journals, and pursues external funding.
• Service:
  • Provides service in support of the department, college, university, and community.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree, earned Ph.D. (or equivalent research doctorate) from an accredited institution in Social Work or related field;
• Demonstrated experience conducting research;
• Strong research trajectory (e.g., refereed publications and extramural research grant funding), commensurate with rank;
• Ability to teach at the graduate and undergraduate levels;
• Ability to conduct research;
• Ability and potential to participate in professional and community service; and
• Demonstrated commitment to preparing research proposals for external funding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program;
• Post-MSW practice experience (generally 2 or more years);
• Experience as extramurally funded investigator;
• Candidates for Associate Professor ideally will have an established and funded line of research and experience with mentoring across the academic spectrum (e.g., graduate students, junior faculty); and
• Ability to teach a range of direct practice/clinical courses for BSW/MSW students.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Social Work Tenure - Line Assistant or Associate Professor (Req #10003631) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, one of which is a most recent supervisor, and provide 1) a cover letter of interest, 2) CV, 3) research statement of interests and goals, 4) statement of teaching experience and philosophy, and 5) one published article representing scholarly focus.

Posting Open Date: January 12, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  February 9, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes