Assistant Dean for Practicum Education, School of Social Work, Boston University

As one of the nation’s top schools of social work, Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, research, and evidence-based practice to solve the most pressing societal problems of the 21st century. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration, and upholds freedom of expression. BUSSW views the racial, cultural, and social diversity of our faculty, staff, and students as essential to the excellence and distinction of our MSW and PhD programs. Thus, we are seeking and value candidates for faculty and administrative leadership positions who represent a variety of social identities, including those who have been underrepresented in higher education, who possess skills that spark innovation, and who, through their scholarship, teaching, service, and professional experience bring expertise that will contribute to a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community. BUSSW is a dynamic school with an extensive research portfolio with funding from NIH, SAMHSA, HRSA, private foundations, and supportive alumni. Boston University’s 17 schools/colleges and numerous research centers create a rich environment for interdisciplinary research. (For additional information please visit our website).

We invite persons with a strong record of justice-based practice, scholarship, teaching, and administrative leadership in social work to join our leadership team. The Assistant Dean for Practicum Education will also hold a non-tenure track appointment at the Clinical Associate or Clinical Full Professor rank. Thus, we seek an experienced and visionary scholar-practitioner to lead our practicum education team. This leader plays a pivotal role in ensuring student-centered placement development and processes across four dynamic program delivery platforms (i.e., in-person, part-time weekend, online, and hybrid programs), the oversight of daily practicum education operations within a complex institutional and community context, and support for a large and dynamic team of social work professionals. Additional responsibilities include teaching, mentoring students and staff, and contributing to the School of Social Work’s mission through committee work and community engagement. A central focus of our school is our commitment to anti-oppressive practice pedagogy to combat racism against Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, and other communities of color and other forms of oppression based on social identities such as gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, and physical and/or behavioral health through community and/or organizational practice as well as policy advocacy.

Key responsibilities for the Assistant Dean for Practicum Education include leadership and management of operations to:

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for practicum education that fosters excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, while overseeing daily departmental operations across the MSW in-person, part-time weekend, online, and hybrid programs.
• Work effectively with the Field Practicum team, faculty, students, SHS leadership, University administration, other schools of social work, the Council on Social Work Education, and other professional and educational organizations on issues related to practicum education.
• Participate in faculty governance, specifically in relevant School committees that develop and monitor curricula that impact and inform Practicum Education.
• Lead efforts to expand and diversify practicum placement options, including developing partnerships with new agencies and organizations, while supporting teams in managing placement lifecycles.
• Develop and monitor an adequate number of suitable practicum placements for students, including making periodic site visits to host agencies to strengthen partnerships and help in the design of best practice learning experiences for students; promote pathways to employment.
• Conduct an ongoing critical analysis of national and regional trends in social work Practicum education, incorporating findings into program development, enhancement, and expansion.
• Provide oversight to ensure practicum education integration and accreditation standards are met. Collaborate with faculty to integrate Practicum education into academic coursework, ensuring alignment with program objectives and accreditation standards.
• Assist in the design, development, and implementation of the School’s assessment plan, including student competencies, practicum education evaluations, and other best practice assessment tools.
• Collaborate with BUSSW’s social work leadership to coordinate student recruitment efforts and career development programs.
• Collaborate with student leaders to solicit feedback to strengthen the commitment to anti-oppressive practice.
• Provide leadership and training for liaisons/advisors and practicum instructors that support an effective learning environment for students.
• Build capacity for funding strategies to support student practicum placements. Track and report on practicum-related reaccreditation data as well as funded student support; collaborate with faculty to identify, apply for, and implement grants and contracts that support students in paid practicum placements.

Requirements: Candidates should have:

• Master of Social Work (MSW) required; a PhD in social work or a closely related field is highly desirable.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of full-time post-MSW experience in professional social work practice, with evidence of excellent skills in engagement with communities, organizations, health systems, and/or government and political entities.
• LICSW or Macro experience equivalent.
• Evidence of extensive management and leadership experience in social work Practicum education, including demonstrated leadership in supporting an inclusive, positive team culture and successful experience collaborating with student and community partners.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, facilitation, and training skills in areas relevant to the MSW curriculum.
• Prominence in local, regional and/or national professional organizations and community-based social work and educational activities (e.g., direct practice, consultations, training, presentations, administrative leadership roles).
• Evidence of scholarship/expertise in anti-oppressive practice, pedagogy, and/or professional substantive areas (e.g., journal articles, chapters, monographs, books, newsletter articles, commentary, editorials, professional conference presentations, op-eds, invited talks, training, workshops, and social media).

DO NOT APPLY THROUGH THE BOSTON UNIVERSITY HR WEBSITE.

Application process: Applicants should submit: 1) a cover letter which includes a description of practice and administrative experience as well as teaching interests and experiences and any scholarly work; 2) a resume; and 3) the names and contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Questions about the position can be directed to the SSW Search Committee/Dean’s Office: (swsearch@bu.edu).

BU conducts a background check on all final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. The background check includes contacting the final candidate’s current and previous employer(s) to ask whether, in the last seven years, there has been a substantiated finding of misconduct violating that employer’s applicable sexual misconduct policies. To implement this process, the University requires a final candidate to complete and sign the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” after execution of an offer letter.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.