The realm of higher education includes a segment of part-time faculty positions in social work programs. These roles offer opportunities for individuals with expertise in social work to instruct students at the university level on a non-tenure track basis. These positions often involve teaching specific courses within the social work curriculum, such as human behavior, social policy, or clinical practice. For instance, a licensed clinical social worker might teach a course on therapeutic interventions.
These appointments provide institutions with flexibility in staffing, enabling them to bring in instructors with specialized knowledge or current practice experience. For individuals holding such positions, these roles can offer a way to contribute to the profession, supplement income, and stay connected to academia while maintaining other professional commitments. Historically, reliance on part-time faculty has fluctuated based on economic conditions and institutional budgets, with a trend in recent years toward increased reliance in some areas.