Becoming a Social Work Professor - A Career Guide

A social work professor teaches social work-related courses and shapes the future generations of social workers. Continue reading to find out what becoming a social work professor entails. 

 

So, you've entered your bachelor's degree program in social work or finished your master's degree. You've likely observed your professors' contagious passion for their field and thought about how to become a social work professor. 

Well, stepping into academia in social work is more than teaching theories and methodologies. It is a chance to inspire future social workers to make a difference.

Despite being a meaningful career, the path to becoming a social work professor is not an easy one. In this guide, we'll delve into everything you need to do to achieve your goal of becoming a social work professor. We'll also explore all the ways you can impact the community and career advancement opportunities in the field. 

What Does a Social Work Professor Do?

A social work professor is a postsecondary teacher who teaches courses in social work. Academic duties of social work professors include:

• Initiating, facilitating, and moderating classroom discussions.

• Preparing course materials, such as syllabi, handouts, or homework assignments.

• Supervising students' laboratory and fieldwork.

• Planning, evaluating, and revising curricula, course materials, course content, and methods of instruction.

• Advising students on academic and vocational curricula and career issues.

Moreover, as a social work professor, you are constantly conducting research studies, publishing papers in professional journals, and presenting at conferences. 

How to Become a Social Work Professor?

The traditional route to a career as a social work professor begins with an undergraduate degree in social work and concludes with building a strong academic profile. Allow us to give you a step-by-step guide on the educational and professional path to becoming a social work professor. 

Undergraduate Degree

To get the educational foundation you need for this profession, you must first earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a related field. This degree will prepare you for generalist practice with diverse populations and prepare you for advanced studies in a graduate degree.

When enrolled In a BSW program, you will take classes such as Social Welfare Policy, Human Behavior and Diverse Populations, Social Work Research Methods, Introduction to Psychology, and Social Work Field Education.

If you want to up your game, you can also participate in extracurricular activities such as volunteering at local non-profits or community centers, research projects related to social work, or joining social work organizations. 

Graduate Degree

Earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) is the next stepping stone toward becoming a social work professor. While undergraduate studies provide a solid foundation, the MSW further hones your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. During your MSW you’ll dive into complex case studies, explore ethical dilemmas, and learn about the latest practices shaping social work today.

Typically, MSW programs culminate in a dissertation or a substantial research project that showcases your ability to conduct academic research and contribute to the broader discourse in the field. 

Besides, MSW programs help you gain hands-on experience through internships. Internships are where classroom learning meets real-world practice. These experiences will allow you to work under seasoned professionals and bring valuable insights back to your future students. 

Doctoral Degree

The next step to becoming a social work professor is pursuing a Ph.D in Social Work (PhD) or Doctorate in Social Work. A PhD in social work is designed to develop your research skills, critical thinking, and ultimately teaching.

The dissertation research you will work on during your doctoral studies will go beyond the scope of any previous study you've done. During this time you will explore in depth the topic of your choice and produce original research that contributes to the field.

Alongside your research, PhD programs often allow you to take on teaching assistantships. Through this experience, you will learn how to engage and guide students effectively. 

Gain Relevant Experience

While finishing your studies is a must, gaining relevant social work experience is equally important in the path to becoming a social work professor. Such experience can come either from working in social services, participating in research projects, or taking any teaching positions. 

Some of the best ways to acquire social work practice experience are to work in social services or volunteer at local non-profits. On the other hand, some ways you can gain pedagogical expertise in social work include securing adjunct professor and teaching assistant positions. Lastly, you can join existing research teams, which can strengthen your analytical skills and build your research portfolio. 

Building a Strong Academic Profile

Building a robust academic profile is an essential element in your path to becoming a social work professor. To do so, start by identifying a niche that you’re passionate about and explore it through a research study. The key here is to focus on an area that strengthens your expertise while also giving you a unique angle in the scholarly conversations that shape the field. 

The best strategy is to combine your research with actively networking with professionals in the field and presenting at conferences. Sharing your research at conferences and connecting with fellow academics will help you join the ongoing dialogue around social work practice and policies.

Skills and Qualities of a Successful Social Work Professor

While education and experience are the credentials that pave the way to the profession, possessing certain skills is what will turn into a professor that impacts their students. 

For example, you must possess:

• Strong Communication Skills: As a professor, your job is to break down complex theories and concepts into practical insights, which cannot be achieved if you cannot communicate clearly. This includes answering questions, engaging in meaningful dialogue with students, and clearly explaining concepts.

• Empathy: Social work itself is rooted in empathy, and as a professor, this quality allows you to support and inspire students who are preparing for emotionally demanding careers. 

• Critical Thinking: Strong critical thinking skills help you analyze social issues, policies, and case studies from multiple perspectives, and guide students in approaching social work challenges with a rigorous, open-minded approach. 

• Research Proficiency: Intensive research is at the core of becoming a social work professor. Your students expect their lectures to include the most up-to-date subject matter. You must continue researching, incorporating, and imparting the latest social work information and practices in your classes.

• Adaptability: The educational landscape as well as social work are constantly changing due to advances in technology and new research findings, making adaptability key. You must stay up-to-date on these changes and adjust your teaching methods accordingly so your students can access the most current information and social work practices.

• Lifelong Learning: To remain effective and relevant, as a social work professor you must commit to lifelong learning, such as participating in workshops and conferences and staying updated on new research and social trends. 

Career Path and Opportunities

Now you know what the journey to becoming a social work professor looks like, but what comes next? Here's an overview of the typical social work professor's career path.

1. Adjunct Professor or Guest Lecturer: These teaching positions are part-time and help you get started in academia. While some universities require a doctoral degree, you may find that you only hold a master's degree if you teach at a community college or undergraduate courses.

2. Assistant Professor: This role is traditionally considered entry-level if you're a recent doctoral graduate or post-doctoral trainee. While it doesn't include tenure, it's the gateway for higher teaching positions.

3. Associate Professor: This is the next step up as it often includes tenure. You'll be expected to complete research and seek publication for your work.

4. Full Professor: Promotion to a full professor reflects years of distinguished academic involvement. This title also indicates a level of expertise and accomplishment in scholarship, teaching, and service to the university.

Besides a teaching position, you can pursue other opportunities available within academia, such as department chair, program director, or research leader to improve the curriculum or develop new social work programs. On the other hand, if you still want to be actively involved with the community, you can collaborate with social work organizations and government agencies as an advocate or policymaker. 

Challenges Faced by Social Work Professors

Although the fulfillment you get from shaping the new generation of social workers and contributing new finds in the field makes becoming a social work professor worthwhile, there are still potential challenges you can face during your career. 

As a social work professor, you're required to conduct research and publish your findings. While contributing to the field is exciting, balancing teaching and research responsibilities can be difficult. You have to work to secure research funding, stay current with industry developments, and manage administrative duties.

To overcome these challenges, seek collaboration with colleagues or graduate students which can help you distribute the workload. You can also utilize digital tools to streamline administrative tasks, manage research data, and monitor student work. 

The Impact of Social Work Professors on the Community

As a social work professor, you can have a profound impact on your students, the academic community, and the broader society. First, you educate the future generations of social workers, providing them with foundational knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to make a difference in communities.

Through your research, you can advance innovative approaches and frameworks that can improve interventions and best practices across social services. Your research can also serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, as such, help shape legislation and funding priorities.

Conclusion

Through your teaching and research as a social work professor, you can push social changes and influence society as a whole. You also get the chance to mold the minds of future social workers. Therefore, the journey to prepare for the role involves extensive educational and practical experience.

If you want to pursue this noble career path, start your journey today by exploring our Worden School of Social Service programs. Join us on our mission committed to social change, social betterment, and social and economic justice.

FAQ:

What is a social professor?

A social work professor teaches social-work-related courses at a college or university.

Can you work as a professor without a PhD?

You don't necessarily need a Ph.D. to become a professor. However, you must earn a terminal degree in your field, such as a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Science (Sc.D.), or Doctor of Arts (D.A.). Many universities also consider the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) as a terminal degree. 

How much do social work professors make in the US?

According to BLS, social work professors in the U.S. earn a mean annual wage of $80,840.