Tenure Track - 530658

The University of Alabama•Alabama, AL

24d

About The Position

The University of Alabama invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Program Director and faculty in its developing Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Pending approval by The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama and authorization by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), the DPT program will address a distinct workforce need while drawing from a strong pipeline of qualified students. We seek an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and student-centered physical therapist educator, clinician, scholar, and academic leader who will partner with the Program Director to build a nationally distinctive program aligned with the College of Community Health Sciences’ mission and expand access to high-quality physical therapy services, particularly in rural and underserved communities across Alabama and the Southeast. The Associate Program Director will provide operational and academic leadership across curriculum development and delivery, faculty and student support, assessment, accreditation readiness, and strategic program growth. The successful candidate will also teach in areas aligned with their expertise; advise and mentor students; maintain an appropriate record of scholarship, clinical engagement, and service; and represent the program within the College, University, profession, and community. CCHS is vibrant and growing, with academic programs in Rural Community Health, Population Health Sciences, Translational Science and Medicine, and additional health-professions programs in development. CCHS is home to a nationally renowned Sports Medicine Clinic and Fellowship, as well as Family and Psychiatry residencies and multiple fellowships. Appointments to the faculty of The University of Alabama are based on the personnel requirements of the University’s academic programs and on the goal of achieving and maintaining excellence in its teaching, research, and service/academic citizenship activities.

Requirements

Earned terminal academic or clinical doctorate (with clinical specialty certification) from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent international credential.
Physical therapist licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction and eligible for licensure in Alabama.
Minimum of five years of full-time or equivalent experience in physical therapist education, including teaching and academic leadership responsibilities.
Evidence of contemporary expertise relevant to an entry-level DPT curriculum.
Demonstrated experience with curriculum development, program assessment, student progression, faculty collaboration, or academic operations.
Demonstrated ability to lead collaboratively, manage multiple priorities, communicate effectively, and support colleagues and students in a developing program.
Evidence of excellence in teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service.
Qualifications commensurate with appointment at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank and the applicable tenure or clinical track.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience as an associate program director, program director, department chair, academic coordinator, or in a comparable leadership role in a professional physical therapy program.
Substantive knowledge of CAPTE standards, candidacy requirements, accreditation processes, and continuous quality improvement.
Experience with curriculum mapping, instructional design, faculty workload planning, student assessment, remediation, and program outcome assessment.
Experience developing and implementing academic policies, procedures, and operational systems.
Record of scholarship, clinical practice, or externally supported work appropriate to rank and track.
Expertise in one or more areas that complement the developing curriculum.
Experience with interprofessional education, community-engaged practice, rural health, or service to underserved populations.
Experience developing clinical, health-system, educational, or community partnerships.
Active engagement in the American Physical Therapy Association or related professional organizations.
Mission-driven, collaborative, organized, and outcomes-oriented leadership style.
Commitment to academic excellence, student success, professional formation, and a respectful learning and working environment.

Responsibilities

Coordinating day-to-day academic operations
Supporting curriculum design, sequencing, integration, and review
Facilitating faculty collaboration and development
Contributing to faculty workload and course planning
Coordinating student progression, advising, remediation, and success initiatives
Supporting admissions and recruitment
Overseeing collection and analysis of program outcomes
Maintaining documentation for CAPTE candidacy and accreditation
Contributing to policy development and implementation
Representing the Program Director when delegated or in the Director’s absence
Collaborating with the Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, faculty, staff, College leadership, and external partners to ensure alignment among didactic education, clinical education, student outcomes, and workforce needs
Classroom, laboratory, simulation, or clinical instruction
Student mentorship
Scholarship appropriate to rank and track
Development of clinical and community partnerships
Service to the program, College, University, profession, and community