Job Details

Full-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Position

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in the Master of Social Work program, which launched in Fall 2025. The position begins Fall 2026 and will be based on-site at the San Diego campus. Applications are welcomed from candidates across all areas of social work. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in teaching within a Christian liberal arts context and show potential for scholarship and service. Applications from historically marginalized groups are strongly encouraged. The review of applications will begin on December 1 and will continue until the position is filled.

Benefits:

We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, and competitive retirement matching. There also may be opportunities for university assistance with the cost of housing in Southern California. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including faculty chapel, weekly faculty lunches, and a robust wellness program.

Salary:

PLNU pays its faculty using a payscale based on experience and academic rank. Faculty salaries using this scale for a 2-semester appointment range from $77,357 to $133,945. The actual salary will be based on the experience, rank, and appointment term of the candidate selected to fill this position.

Responsibilities

1. Teaching & Curriculum Development

• Design and teach MSW courses at the generalist and advanced levels.
• Develop syllabi, assignments, rubrics, and assessments aligned with CSWE 2022 EPAS competencies.
• Integrate evidence-based practice, cultural humility, ADEI (anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion), and faith integration.
• Use active learning strategies such as role plays, simulations, case studies, and group projects.
• Update curriculum to reflect emerging trends in social work practice, policy, and research.

2. Field Education Support

• Serve as a faculty liaison to agencies, conducting site visits and evaluating student progress.
• Provide field supervision for students in placements without available MSW supervision available.

3. Scholarship & Professional Development

• Engage in scholarly activities such as research, writing, and conference presentations.
• Stay current with developments in social work practice, theory, and pedagogy.
• Contribute to knowledge that informs policy, practice, or education.

4. Service & Leadership

• Participate in faculty meetings, committees, and accreditation processes (CSWE). The MSW program is in pre-candidacy.
• Engage with the community through partnerships, service projects, and advocacy.
• Support recruitment, admissions, and retention efforts for the MSW program.
• Mentor junior faculty or adjunct instructors.
• Serve on university-wide or community advisory boards.

5. Assessment & Accreditation

• Contribute to program assessment (e.g., mapping courses to competencies).
• Assist with self-studies and reports for CSWE accreditation.
• Collect and analyze student learning outcomes to improve the curriculum.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master of Social Work from a CSWE accredited program.
• Minimum of two years post MSW experience.
• Ph.D., D.S.W., or Ed.D. in social work or related field from an accredited university.
• Deep commitment to ADEI as conceptualized by the profession of social work.
• Can express a basic understanding of how people's needs, priorities, concerns might be different based on their life experience, socioeconomic standing, first generation status, etc; can identify when/where they need to find additional support, expertise, and resources.
• Thorough commitment to the concept of Christian graduate education and a desire to work in a Christian university. Supportive of the religious and educational goals of the university and its sponsoring denomination.
• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement. In addition, faculty agree to live in agreement with PLNUs Community Life Covenant.
• The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. PLNU will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local "Fair Chance" laws.

Preferred:

• Experience working as a social worker in the areas of medical social work, child welfare, psychotherapy, working with veterans, and/or school social work.
• Candidates with experience teaching MSW courses.
• Candidates from underrepresented and underserved communities are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

Applicants will be expected to apply and submit corresponding documents. All applicants will be reviewed and evaluated. From this pool of applicants, a limited number will be selected and moved forward in the process. The interview process may include:

• Zoom Interview
• Dialogue with students and faculty in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and related fields.
• Teaching/presentation demonstration to faculty and students in the program.
• Evidence of successful teaching, if applicable.
• Interview with the MSW Program Director and Social Work faculty.
• Interview with the Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
• Interview with the Provost.
• Interview with the President of the University.

Special Instructions

When beginning your application, be prepared to answer these questions and upload the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Personal Faith
• Provide names and contacts for 3 references, at least one professional contact who can speak to your skill as a social work and supervisor/teaching potential (references will only be contacted if you are advanced as a finalist candidate)

If you have questions about items for the application, please contact the Office of Human Resources at ...@pointloma.edu or the Search Committee chair Dr. Alina Baltazar ...@pointloma.edu.

At PLNU, we believe in pursuing calling together. Deep and meaningful relationships between students, faculty, and staff is vital in nurturing our shared community and expressing God's love. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join us in empowering our students to reach their greatest personal, spiritual, and professional potential.

Point Loma Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.