About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The College of Health and Public Service (HPS) at the University of North Texas prepares graduates to address diverse and complex social issues such as aging, disability, disaster management and recovery, criminal justice, health disparities and public safety, and find solutions to challenges in public administration, public health, exercise physiology and urban design.

We have eight academic departments with undergraduate and graduate programs, the Kristin Farmer Autism Center, the Center for Public Management, the UNT Speech and Hearing Center, the UNT Work Inclusion and Supported Employment (UNTWISE) program, UNT ELEVAR, and several professional development and clinical training programs to facilitate careers to address a global society.

Located within HPS, the Department of Social Work houses both MSW and BSW degree programs. We develop generalist social work practitioners to optimize quality-of-life outcomes in communities worldwide by helping all people overcome the challenges associated with abuse, poverty, homelessness, addiction, disability, illness, and discrimination. Graduates practice in a variety of areas including integrated healthcare settings, hospice, substance abuse treatment, mental health, child welfare, aging, criminal justice, veterans, military and first responders, policy advocacy, and more.

UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with HSI/MSIs and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

Position Overview

The Department of Social Work in the UNT College of Health & Public Service is seeking an accomplished, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as department chair. The successful candidate will demonstrate visionary leadership, a commitment to shared governance, and the ability to build strong relationships within the department, across the college, and with community partners in North Texas and beyond. The Chair provides academic leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight while fostering an environment that supports excellence in teaching, research, community engagement, and student success.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead strategic planning, curriculum development, and departmental initiatives.
• Support faculty recruitment, mentoring, and performance evaluation.
• Ensure continued compliance with CSWE accreditation standards
• Foster a collaborative, student-centered departmental culture.
• Advance research productivity and external funding efforts.
• Guide budgeting, resource allocation, and scheduling.
• Strengthen partnerships across campus and with community and industry collaborators.
• Uphold accreditation standards and ensure academic excellence across all programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master’s in social work from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program or Ph.D. in social work or a related field;
• Experience with online/hybrid/remote instruction;
• A minimum of two years of social work practice experience after completion of the MSW;
• Tenure at their current institution;
• A minimum of five years of college-level teaching experience;
• A minimum of five years of administrative experience, including at least three years of administrative experience within an academic setting;
• Evidence of scholarly and teaching and administrative excellence sufficient to qualify for the rank of professor or associate professor with tenure at UNT.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in social work or a related field
• Social Work licensure is preferred

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

varies based on assignment

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. Philosophy Statements (should be no more than 2 pages each)
- Leadership Philosophy
- Research Philosophy
- Teaching Philosophy

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.