Part-time Practicum Faculty- Social Work

Location

Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Division/Organization

Provost - Academic Affairs

Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position

Tenure Status

Non Tenure Track

FTE

Varies

Scope of Job

We seek Practicum faculty applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work as a Part-Time Lecturers beginning Spring 2027 of the 2026-2027 academic year. The assignment is semester to semester basis and it is contingent to enrollment and scheduling needs.

The School of Social Work at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) occasionally has the need to hire part-time Practicum Faculty for its Bachelor’s/Masters of Social Work programs.

The Practicum Faculty is the first point of contact for the student and the agency staff when the student is in their field placement. The primary responsibility of the Practicum Faculty is to ensure that the student is having a successful internship experience that aligns with the educational requirements of the CSWE competencies. The Practicum Faculty will be an integral part of the student’s field placement team, coordinating the student, the agency field instructors (supervisors), the supplemental MSW supervisors and other stakeholders as needed.

Responsibilities include:

• Facilitate weekly seminar course
• Conduct student one site visit per semester, in person if possible, for students in split placement, or two visits per one semester for students in block placement.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of the student educational experience/learning agreement to ensure that it meets the expectations related to the CSWE 9 competencies and corresponding learning behaviors
• Ensure the student evaluation is completed on time and that the student meets the required minimum score to have a successful practicum experience
• Ensure that the student successfully completes their required hours
• Act as liaison and first point of contact for the student and the agency to assist with any questions that may arise
• Act as an advocate for student when the student needs support in the placement
• Ensure the student has consistent MSW supervision at the agency, inform the Practicum Office if the student loses their supervision or requires supplemental supervision
• Stay in communication with the student to ensure that they are experiencing the agreed upon learning opportunities and intervene at the agency if needed
• Communicate with the student’s practicum instructor (supervisor) and any other task supervisors or supplemental supervisors to support the student’s successful completion of the field experience
• Communicate with the Directors of Practicum Education when student issues or concerns arise that require additional intervention
• Participate in Practicum Faculty meetings
• Understand all Practicum policies and procedures, including the use of Tevera
• Submit student grades at the end of the semester
• Assist the student in securing a new placement if required during the semester(s)
• Participate in student support meetings and other types of support meetings if required

About UTRGV:

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.

Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.

UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website.

About the School of Social Work

The School of Social Work was established in 2018 as an independent School and is under the leadership of Founding Dean Dr. Luis R. Torres. Previously, the department of social work existed since the 1970s, most recently as part of the College of Health Professions. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Social Work (SSW) is the only institution to offer programs leading to both the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and the Master of Science in Social Work (MSW) degree south of San Antonio. Both programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The BSW Program prepares students for generalist social work practice. Building on the generalist foundation, the MSW program prepares social work practitioners using an Advanced Generalist Model that blends Direct Practice and Community Practice, with a focus on the populations of the Rio Grande Valley and similar populations (e.g., 94% Hispanic/Latino, binational and bilingual border communities, high levels of poverty and social determinants of health, etc.). The MSW Program goals are to prepare graduates to practice with diverse, vulnerable, and at-risk populations to promote human well-being and social and economic justice, especially in the Texas-Mexico border region; to prepare graduates for leadership in developing and implementing policies and services for at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border region; and to develop the knowledge base of the social work profession, particularly as it relates to addressing the needs of at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border region. The BSW program is in-person. We offer all MSW programs in two modalities, traditional on-campus, and online.

The School of Social Work is committed to preparing generalist and advanced professional social workers to meet the needs of a binational and multicultural community, and to increasingly make an impact on the national stage. The Rio Grande Valley is a natural laboratory for the demographic shifts being seen around the country.

Minimum Qualifications

MSW/MSSW from a CSWE-accredited social work program

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualification

• Preferably 3 years of direct experience in social service setting
• Social work license or license eligibility
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Understands the CSWE Competencies and is willing to assist agencies in ensuring students have practice experience in all 9 areas.
• Ability to problem solve and communicate quickly and effectively with multiple stakeholders
• Understanding of the current social service and social work practice landscape, including trends at local, national and international agencies

Salary

Part-time Lecturers are paid per course taught commensurate with experience and/or qualifications. The appointment is contingent upon the enrollment and scheduling needs of the School of Social Work.

License or Certification Required?

No

Number of Vacancies

Varies

Desired Start Date

01/16/2027

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date

09/29/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect

the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Please Note

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.