Description

Western Michigan University’s School of Social Work invites applications and nominations for the position of Term Faculty Specialist I – Professional Specialist. This is a full-time, non-tenure-track, fiscal-year appointment based on the main campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The successful candidate will serve as a teaching faculty member in the School of Social Work and contribute to undergraduate and graduate social work education through teaching, advising, student engagement, service, and collaboration with faculty and community partners. The position may include teaching and professional engagement in areas such as trauma, practice, field education, and related fields within the curriculum.

Major Responsibilities

Essential Roles:

The Term Faculty Specialist I is expected to maintain an active teaching assignment of approximately 15 credit hours per semester. Teaching responsibilities include:

• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate social work courses as assigned in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats, including courses related to trauma, practice, field education, and other areas of the curriculum.
• Design, update, and deliver course content consistent with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).
• Support student learning, engagement, and academic success through effective instruction and mentoring.
• Participate in curriculum implementation and assessment activities within the School of Social Work.
• Maintain regular office hours and provide timely communication and feedback to students.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, field education personnel, and community partners to support program goals and student success.

Other Duties:

• Contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional committees, supporting institutional development and policymaking.
• Participate in accreditation, assessment, recruitment, retention, advising, and other programmatic activities as assigned.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director of the School of Social Work.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited institution
• Valid Licensed Master of Social Worker (LMSW) issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), or eligibility to obtain licensure prior to start date
• Minimum of three (3) years of post-MSW professional experience preferably including experience in trauma-informed practice, field education, or related practice settings.
• Experience with or demonstrated capacity for college-level teaching, curriculum development, or professional training

Preferred:

• Doctorate (PhD, DSW, or related degree) in social work or a closely related field; ABD candidates with a projected completion date will be considered.
• Prior teaching experience in higher education.
• Experience with online or hybrid instructional delivery.
• Experience with CSWE accreditation standards and competency-based education.

The University: Western Michigan University (WMU), located in Southwest Michigan, is a vibrant, nationally recognized student-centered research institution with an enrollment of over 18,000. WMU delivers high-quality undergraduate instruction, has a strong graduate division, and fosters significant research activities. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies WMU as a doctoral university and one of just 185 public universities in the nation conducting research at a high level.

The College: In 1976, pioneering allied health and human services professional programs united in the WMU College of Health and Human Services, carrying on a tradition of excellence and innovation that began in 1922 with the establishment of the occupational therapy program. That tradition continues today. The College of Health and Human Services has high-quality, nationally ranked academic programs; exceptional students and faculty; unmatched clinical education; many regular opportunities for inter-professional education; state-of-the-art teaching facilities; outreach, service and community engagement; and a strong research record that is helping shape the future of health care.

The college is composed of departments, schools, centers and clinics. Departments include Blindness and Low Vision Studies; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Physician Assistant; and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. The college's schools include Interdisciplinary Health Programs, with programs in Gerontology, Healthcare Administration, Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness, Healthcare Services and Sciences, and Public Health; Nursing; and Social Work. The college also houses the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program. The college also operates the Center for Disability Services, Aging Services, the Resiliency Center for Families and Children, and the Unified Clinics, a multidisciplinary service/training clinic. CHHS is housed on east campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with online and regional programs that extend the depth and breadth of the college's access and influence.

Approximately 100 board appointed faculty serve approximately 1,202 undergraduate and 715 graduate students, with majors and programs that lead to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. A number of graduate certificate programs and undergraduate minors are also offered.

The students and faculty of the College of Health and Human Services extend the energy of the college and University through significant efforts toward community engagement and service.

With required internships, field placements and clinical rotations alone, faculty-supervised CHHS students provide more than 600,000 hours of service annually to children and families in the community, region and across the nation. Substantial volunteerism increases this positive impact.

The mission of the College of Health and Human Services is to engage every person in an experiential, interprofessional and inclusive academic environment that inspires compassion, integrity and advocacy. We prepare all learners to thrive in health and human services careers that are high in demand, high in purpose, high in satisfaction and unsurpassed in impact.

Department: The School of Social Work at Western Michigan University is home to high-quality bachelor's and master's degree programs in social work. Our curriculum emphasizes social, economic, racial, and environmental justice and is grounded in evidence-based practice to prepare students for effective, ethical, and compassionate professional work. With a dedicated team of 16 full-time faculty members, the School serves approximately 500 social work students across both undergraduate and graduate programs. Courses are offered at two locations-Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids-providing flexible access and strong community connections for students throughout West Michigan.

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package.

Expected Start Date: August 15, 2026

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Required Application Documents:

• Letter of application addressing qualifications, teaching philosophy, and vision for school social work specialization coordination
• Current curriculum vitae
• Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire)
• Documentation of Michigan LMSW licensure status or evidence of eligibility
• Three (3) professional references with contact information

 WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.