Program Director, Physician Assistant Program

CSU Careers•Turlock, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

California State University, Stanislaus invites applications for a bold and visionary leader to serve as the Founding Program Director for a proposed Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. This is a rare opportunity to build a program from the ground up at a university deeply committed to student success, community engagement, and regional impact in California’s Central Valley. Stanislaus State is a student-centered, Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to fostering inclusive excellence, expanding access, and transforming lives through education. The University’s mission emphasizes personalized learning, academic excellence, and partnerships that enrich the surrounding community, making it an ideal environment to launch a program that addresses critical healthcare workforce needs. This is a rare opportunity to build a program from inception at a university where leadership is actively advancing healthcare education as a cornerstone of regional transformation. We seek an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and mission-driven leader who is excited to shape a program that reflects these values while preparing highly skilled physician assistants to serve diverse and underserved populations, advancing health equity, workforce development, and educational access.

Requirements

Current certification by the NCCPA.
Eligibility for licensure (or current licensure) as a Physician Assistant in California.
Minimum of a master’s degree
At least three (3) years of full-time higher education experience in a PA program.
At least two (2) years of experience in a leadership or administrative role in PA education.
Demonstrated knowledge of ARC-PA accreditation standards and processes.
Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Earned doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DHSc, DMSc, or related field).
Prior experience as a Program Director or Associate Program Director.
Experience launching or substantially revising a PA program.
Demonstrated record of scholarship and professional service.
Experience in interprofessional education and simulation-based instruction.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership in developing and launching the MPAS program
Design and implement a forward-thinking, student-centered curriculum.
Lead the program through the ARC-PA accreditation process and ensure continuing compliance with ARC-PA accreditation standards.
Recruit and support a diverse and high-performing faculty and staff team.
Build and advance pathways for student recruitment, retention, and success.
Lead program assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Advance interprofessional education and community-based learning.
Develop and sustain clinical education partnerships.
Manage program resources and planning effectively.
Foster a culture aligned with Stan State’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student-centered learning.