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Inside Higher Ed · 1 month ago

CCHS - Founding Program Director Physical Therapy Associate/Full Professor – Tenure/Tenure Tr...

Tuscaloosa, AL

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

6+ years exp

The University of Alabama is seeking a Founding Program Director for its new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This role involves leading all aspects of program development, accreditation, and strategic growth while expanding access to high-quality physical therapy, particularly in rural communities across Alabama and the Southeast.

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Responsibilities

Establish and articulate the DPT program’s mission, goals, and strategic plan with a strong focus on areas of need in the state, including rural regions

Recruit, hire, mentor, and evaluate core and associated faculty and staff; foster a collaborative and innovative culture of excellence in teaching, practice, research, and service

Oversee budget planning and fiscal management; allocate resources to support academic quality and student success

Ensure effective internal and external communication with UA leadership, faculty, students, clinical partners, alumni, and community stakeholders

Direct supervisory responsibilities for faculty and staff in the unit

Oversee student recruitment, retention, and success efforts

Lead all activities to achieve and maintain CAPTE accreditation (self-study, assessment system, outcomes reporting, site-visit preparation, and continuous quality improvement)

Ensure ongoing compliance with CAPTE Standards and Required Elements, institutional policies, and applicable state regulations

Design and implement a competency-based DPT curriculum that integrates rural/community-based clinical education, interprofessional practice, and simulation

Build and sustain a robust clinical education network, with emphasis on areas of need, including rural settings across Alabama

Implement program evaluation and outcomes assessment (student learning, licensure, graduation, employment) and use results for continuous improvement

Cultivate partnerships with healthcare systems, community clinics, and rural providers to support clinical placements, service-learning, and pathway initiatives

Support faculty and student scholarship and seek extramural funding where appropriate

Represent the program at state, regional, and national meetings; advance the visibility and reputation of UA’s DPT program

Qualification

Licensed physical therapistAcademic doctoral degreeCAPTE accreditation experienceCurriculum developmentFiscal managementProgram evaluationStudent mentorshipLeadership skillsCommunication skillsStrategic thinkingRelationship-building

Required

Licensed physical therapist with an active, unencumbered PT license in a U.S. jurisdiction and eligibility for Alabama licensure

Academic doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, ScD) or previously granted CAPTE exemption

Minimum 6 years of full-time higher education experience, including at least 3 years as core faculty in a CAPTE-accredited, entry-level PT program

Qualifications commensurate with Associate or Full Professor (tenure-track/tenured or clinical track)

Demonstrated preparation/experience in academic administration, management, and leadership, including fiscal management

Documented professional development/education in educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation, and program/outcome assessment

Experience with program evaluation, curriculum development, and accreditation processes; working knowledge of CAPTE expectations and timelines

Record of effective teaching, student mentorship, and scholarly activity appropriate to rank

Preferred

Sustained leadership in rural health, community-engaged practice, or service with rural populations (e.g., building rural clinical partnerships, rural pathway programs, or distributed clinical education)

Success leading teams through initial CAPTE accreditation or substantial accreditation milestones

Experience creating, launching, or scaling new academic programs (faculty hiring, facilities planning, simulation, technology infrastructure)

Evidence of interprofessional education/practice and collaborative partnerships with health systems and community organizations

Experience with grant writing, external funding, and/or practice-based research; familiarity with value-based and population-health models relevant to rural care

Active engagement in APTA and related professional organizations

Mission-driven leadership

Strategic thinker who is organized, collaborative, and outcomes-oriented, with excellent communication skills

Relationship-builder who can galvanize clinical partners statewide to expand rural training sites and graduate a workforce responsive to Alabama's needs