Job Summary

Check out the link to our video invitation to know more about our social work program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4BOeM3b5s4. Purdue University Northwest’s Department of Behavioral Sciences invites applications for an appointment at the rank of professor or associate professor of social work in the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program. The position is to begin in August 2024. Rank and tenure are dependent upon experience and qualifications. The person hired will serve as BASW Program Director per CSWE guidelines, which will be a non-administrative appointment.

The Candidate must be able to: 1) perform high quality teaching, scholarship and service; 2) demonstrate commitment to promoting diversity and social justice in their roles as faculty member; and 3) collaborate with other department programs on curriculum, instruction, and other matters.  Successful candidate will be able to teach introductory and other foundational social work courses and will have the experience to serve as program director per CSWE guidelines.  We are in the initial stages of developing an MSW program and new hire will be a part of this exciting journey. Areas of specialization for this position are open. While all areas of scholarly interests will be considered, individuals with focal teaching/research interests in mental health, substance abuse, decarceration, forensic social work and trauma-informed care are especially encouraged to apply.

Guided by a liberal arts-based education and cohesive curriculum, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program at Purdue University Northwest operates within the land-grant tradition of democracy, inclusiveness, and accessibility. All members of the Social Work program and those served are valued and respected as we celebrate diversity in background, culture and frame of reference.  With 100+ community partnerships, social work faculty and students are actively involved in making a real difference to promote social justice in Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland Area.

Position Requirements

• Earned Doctoral Degree in Social Work or a closely related discipline by August 2024
• MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, or recognition of credentials by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES)
• At least two years post-MSW practice experience
• University teaching and administration experience

University Profile

Purdue University Northwest (PNW), a premier metropolitan university located in Northwest Indiana, is dedicated to empowering transformational change in its students on its two campuses in Hammond and Westville, Indiana. Part of the Purdue University system and offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, PNW is committed to academic excellence, supports growth, and celebrates diversity. PNW’s colleges, schools and centers are distinguished through prestigious accreditations, national recognitions, and competitive rankings.

PNW’s Hammond campus is located only 30 miles from Chicago with the Westville branch campus just 15 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Park. Fostering a university community full of contrasts—urban and rural, industrial and natural, with a well-established history and forward-thinking mindset—PNW’s two campuses serve its students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college to make the most of this rich range of resources. Moreover, PNW has been designated as a Hispanic-serving public institution dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and under-served student population.

College Profile

The College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences serves over 1,400 undergraduate students and 170 graduate students across a wide range of programs. Departments and Schools within the college include:

• Behavioral Sciences
• Communication and Creative Arts
• English and World Languages
• History, Philosophy, Politics and Economics
• Psychology
• School of Education and Counseling

The College houses the Community Counseling Center that provides quality affordable mental health services and the Institute for Social and Policy Research, which uses social science and policy analysis methods to find solutions to educational, social, and health-related challenges facing the citizens of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan region. The college is also home to the Willie T. Donald Exoneration Advisory Coalition to support those who have been wrongfully convicted in the state of Indiana.

FLSA Status

Department of Behavioral Sciences Profile

Behavioral Sciences is a vibrant department with several programs and opportunities for collaboration. In addition to Social Work, we offer undergraduate majors in Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, Human Development and Family Studies, and Sociology and a graduate program in Couple and Family Therapy. The department also houses the Couple and Family Therapy Center, which is located in the PNW Indianapolis Boulevard Counseling Center. Our students are primarily first-generation college students. In support of the University’s Strategic Plan, the Department is committed to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff who foster diverse learning environments for students.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a cover letter, CV, contact information for three references, teaching evaluation reports, and up to three publications or writing samples. In the cover letter, please include your teaching philosophy and a statement of your commitment to diversity and social justice with examples of how you have fostered them. Screening of applications will begin immediately. Applications must be received by October 31, 2023 to receive full consideration. For questions about this position, please contact Dr. Shreya Bhandari, Search Committee Chair at bhanda15@pnw.edu.

Purdue University Northwest is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry and academic freedom.

Purdue University Northwest is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including scholarship, instruction and engagement. Candidates should address at least one of these areas in their cover letter, indicating their experiences, current interest, or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion. 

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.