Job Description

Title: Assistant Professor/ Associate Professor- Social Work
Employee Classification: Asst Professor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: School of Social Work
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The School of Social Work at Illinois State University invites applications for the position of Assistant /Associate Professor. This is a nine-month tenure-track position. The successful candidate will teach courses according to their area of expertise with a background in teaching school social work being particularly desirable. A candidate at the Associate Professor level will have the opportunity to also be the Director of the MSW Program. Responsibilities for the Director of the MSW Program include maintaining and further developing the MSW program in compliance with CSWE accreditation standards.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

The School of Social Work houses the Center for Adoption Studies, the Child Protection Training Academy (ISU/DCFS Simulation Lab), First Star Academy, and the Baccalaureate and Master’s degree programs that prepare 180 undergraduates and 60 master’s degree students. Faculty teach across both the BSW and the MSW programs. The MSW Program has two concentrations, Child and Family Practice and School Social Work. There are six Tenure-Track faculty, one full-time Non-Tenure Track faculty, three Administrative/Professional Staff, and two Civil Service Support Staff. The School of Social Work is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences and is one of 16 departments/schools in the College.

Founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university, Illinois State University, IllinoisState.edu is one of only 27 institutions nationwide to earn both Research 2 (R2) and Opportunity Colleges and Universities (OCU) designations by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which recognizes campuses that foster student success and research. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

The salary for an Assistant Professor is $72,828 to $74,000, and for an Associate Professor, $83,232 to $86,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Required Qualifications

• MSW from a CSWE-accredited program
• Doctorate in social work or a related field
• Minimum of two years’ post-MSW practice experience
• State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement of this position.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

August 16, 2027

Required Applicant Documents

Please provide the following in separate PDF files:
• Cover Letter that describes your qualifications and accomplishments
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Three Letters of Reference that address your teaching, scholarship, service, and practice experience

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin November 6, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. Illinois State University does not authorize out-of-state work.   

Contact Information for Applicants

Questions about the search should be directed to Curtis Preston, Administrative Aide, at (309) 438-7320 or via email at caprest@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.