Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
April 16, 2026If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.
Available Title(s):
164-NN_FACULTY - Clinical Assistant Professor - Career, 165-NN_FACULTY - Clinical Associate Professor - Career, 166-NN_FACULTY - Clinical Professor - Career, 270-NN_FACULTY - Assistant Professor, 280-NN_FACULTY - Associate Professor, 290-NN_FACULTY - Professor, 395-NN_FACULTY - New Tenure-Track - Pre-Academic Year, 396-NN_FACULTY - New Teaching Track - Pre-Academic YearBusiness Title:
Director of Master of Social Work (MSW) ProgramEmployee Type:
Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)Position Term:
Position Details:
The Opportunity:
The College of Education, Sport & Human Sciences at Washington State University Tri-Cities (WSU Tri-Cities) seeks a visionary leader for the next Director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program. Applications are invited for a 9-month, full-time, academic year position at either the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor, (tenure track - permanent), or as an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor Clinical career track (non-tenure fixed-term faculty). The successful candidate is expected to begin an initial one (1) year renewable, administrative leadership appointment on August 16, 2026, which includes a pre-academic start date of August 1, 2026, but alternative start dates may be open to negotiation.
The MSW Director is expected to develop a new program in social work at the master’s level (MSW) which includes the creation of materials required for the accreditation process through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW Director is expected to initiate, contribute to, and lead all accreditation requirements from CSWE, as well as assist with the new degree proposal process at the university. The successful candidate is expected to provide outstanding teaching at the graduate level, design and manage curriculum, actively engage in scholarship, develop recruitment and retention strategies, guide and support the development of masters-level field education, contribute to professional and university service, and participate broadly in the social work department.
As Director, the successful candidate will:
Develop the new MSW degree proposal following the university process.
Initiate and lead the CSWE accreditation process including submission of the Candidacy Eligibility Application, Benchmark documents, coordination of site visits, fulfillment of all pre-candidacy requirements.
Guide and support the development of masters-level field education and community field placements.
Develop and teach graduate courses in social work.
Advise and mentor graduate students.
Contribute to advancing social work education and research.
Participate in service to the department, college and/or university through committee work, recruitment, and interaction with local and regional stakeholders.
Develop, lead and sustain strategic community engagement initiatives with social service agencies across the Tri-Cities and surrounding region.
Collaborate closely with other appropriate faculty throughout WSU, including but not limited to colleagues with interest and expertise in the applicant’s research areas.
Additional Information:
Additional Information:
Applicants must submit their completed application by April 16, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
This is a full-time (100% FTE), open-rank faculty position with a preference for assistant to associate rank with an administrative appointment.
This position is overtime exempt.
This is an in-person/on-site role located on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland, WA.
The anticipated start dates of the appointment: August 16, 2026, which includes a pre-academic start date of August 1, 2026, but alternative start dates may be open to negotiation.
Monthly Salary:
Assistant Professor: 9-month Academic Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00
Associate Professor: 9-month Academic Salary Range: $85,000.00 - $90,000.00
Full Professor: 9-month Academic Salary Range: $105,000.00 - $125,000.00
Administrative Stipend: $20,000.00 - $35,000.00
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The ranges shown reflect the 9-month faculty base salary along with the range for the administrative stipend for year-round responsibilities associated with the Director appointment.
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation.
Required qualifications for Clinical Assistant Professor Rank:
Master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Earned PhD in Social Work, Doctor of Social Work (DSW), or doctorate in a closely related field by time of hire.
Two years of full-time post-MSW practice experience (direct or community practice).
Experience in progressive leadership roles, including exhibited strength in scholarship, teaching, and program development.
Demonstrated service experience on campus, in professional organizations, agencies, or communities.
Excellent communication abilities in written and verbal forms.
Additional Required qualifications for Clinical Associate Professor Rank:
Meets the criteria for Clinical Assistant Professor, and:
Currently serving in the rank of an Associate Professor or equivalent at a post-secondary institution, or
At least five (5) years of academic experience in teaching, service (unit, college, university, and professional), and demonstrated success in grantsmanship, referred publications, and peer-reviewed presentations at national and/or international conferences, or
A minimum of five (5) years of full-time, post MSW professional practice experience and demonstrated success in grantsmanship, referred publications, and peer-reviewed presentations at national and/or international conferences.
Additional Required qualifications for Clinical Professor Rank:
Meets the criteria for Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Associate Professor, and:
A minimum of ten years of full-time, post-MSW professional practice experience
Expertise in clinical social work program development
Consistent record of service
Demonstrated clinical scholarly activities
Additional Requirements for Tenure-Track at the level of Assistant Professor:
Academic doctoral degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program
Demonstrated scholarly activities
Additional Requirements for Tenure at the level of Associate Professor:
Currently serving in the rank of a tenure-track Associate Professor or equivalent at a post-secondary institution, or
At least five years of academic experience in teaching, service (unit, college, university, and profession) and demonstrated success in grantsmanship, referred publications, and peer-reviewed presentations at national and/or international conferences.
Record of accomplishments in teaching, research and service commensurate with department, college, and university standards for tenure at the level of associate professor.
Additional Requirements for Tenure at the level of Professor
Currently serving in the rank of a Full Professor or equivalent at a post-secondary institution, or;
At least five (5) years at the rank of associate professor with demonstrated expertise in teaching, a strong track record of externally funded grants and refereed national and/or international publications and peer-reviewed presentations; and held leadership positions in national and/or international professional organizations.
Record of accomplishments in teaching, research and service commensurate with department, college, and university standards for tenure at the level of professor.
WSU Faculty Manual: [https://facsen.wsu.edu/faculty-manual/]
College of Education Tenure & Promotion Guidelines: [https://provost.wsu.edu/faculty/college-department-promotion-guidelines/]
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR ALL RANKS:
Education experience, including the use of multiple digital or technology-supported teaching/learning platforms and mechanisms.
Experience leading or significantly contributing to CSWE accreditation processes.
Licensed as a clinical social worker in Washington or be able to obtain Washington State LICSW credential within twelve (12) months of hire.
Three (3) or more years of experience in progressive leadership roles, including two years of academic leadership, and exhibited strength in both scholarship and teaching.
Demonstrated experience with graduate social work program development and management.
Experience leading social work programs at a research-intensive University.
Experience leading social work programs that are embedded in colleges with active faculty practices.
Experience with social work field education and professional social work development.
Familiarity and experience in social work offered in Washington State.
Experience teaching in programs delivered to students across multiple settings with an obligation to consider regulations and requirements in bordering states.
Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of evidence-based social work interventions used in masters-level practice.
Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship
Inquiries regarding this position should be directed to:
Amy Ashton-Williams, Search Committee Chair | amy.ashton-williams@wsu.edu
About Department/College/Area/ Campus - https://tricities.wsu.edu/education/social-work
Area/College: College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences
Department Name: Social Work
Location: Richland, WA 99354
About WSU Tri-Cities
WSU Tri-Cities is committed to creating a student-ready campus, marked by academic excellence, career-connected learning, and social belonging. This commitment is informed by our belief that all students, faculty, and staff contribute value to our campus culture. We ascribe to an assets-based framework for understanding and celebrating differences to provide access and opportunity for all. Nearly half of our students are first in their family to attend college, most come from a rural area, and almost half identify as students of color. We believe the wide range of experiences our students possess strengthen the classroom and many co-curricular activities in which WSU Tri- Cities students participate and lead.
Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.
A complete CV
A letter of interest that describes how the applicant’s education and experience meet qualifications for the position.
A one-page teaching statement
A one-page scholarship statement
A one-page service/leadership statement
External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.
Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.
Reference contact information is collected as part of the online application process. Three letters of recommendation will be requested at a later date and do not need to be included in your initial application.
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.
Time Type:
Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.
WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.
Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.
More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/