School of Health Professions - Open Rank Program Director - Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Portal•Birmingham, AL

About The Position

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is seeking a full-time, twelve-month faculty member to provide strategic, academic, administrative, and operational leadership for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program in the Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions. The Program Director is responsible for program quality, accreditation compliance, student success, faculty development, curriculum oversight, and alignment with the institution’s mission and strategic goals. The Director promotes excellence in teaching, scholarship, clinical education, and service while meeting accreditation standards and professional regulations. The Director provides vision and strategic direction; manages program operations, policies, procedures, and resources with department and school leadership; and oversees curriculum, assessment, student outcomes, faculty development, and clinical partnerships. The role also supports recruitment, retention, progression, and graduation; leads accreditation activities and continuous quality improvement; and contributes scholarship and service consistent with faculty rank requirements. The position requires an earned academic doctoral degree with a research component, a graduate degree from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist education program or equivalent, eligibility for associate professor or professor rank under School of Health Professions guidelines, and a current unrestricted physical therapist license or eligibility for licensure in Alabama. Candidates must have at least six years of higher education experience in physical therapy education, including at least three years as a full-time faculty member with progressive academic leadership, administrative, or supervisory experience. Demonstrated experience with accreditation, curriculum development, assessment, and program evaluation is also required.

Requirements

Earned academic doctoral degree with a research component (PhD, EdD, DSc, or equivalent).
Graduate degree from a CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist education program or equivalent.
Eligible for appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor under School of Health Professions Promotion and Tenure Guidelines; the required qualifications also specify eligibility for appointment at Associate Professor or higher at UAB.
Current, unrestricted physical therapist license or eligibility for licensure in Alabama.
At least six years of higher education experience in physical therapy education.
At least three years as a full-time faculty member with progressive academic leadership, administrative, or supervisory experience.
Demonstrated experience with accreditation processes and standards.
Experience in curriculum development, assessment, and program evaluation.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as Program Director, Associate Director, Department Chair, or in an equivalent leadership role.
Record of successful accreditation leadership.
Established scholarly record, including publications, presentations, grants, or other scholarly contributions.
Experience managing budgets and personnel.
Experience with interprofessional education and collaborative healthcare models.

Responsibilities

Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the DPT program; develop and implement program goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives.
Manage program operations, policies, procedures, and resources in collaboration with the Department Chair, DPT Core Faculty, and School of Health Professions leadership.
Update the DPT Program Student Handbook annually; organize academic and clinical courses and oversee semester course scheduling.
Organize and lead DPT Core Faculty meetings and oversee student professional development mentoring with Core Faculty.
Oversee program budgeting, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship.
Facilitate communication among faculty, students, administration, clinical partners, and external stakeholders; represent the program within UAB, professional organizations, and the broader community.
Attend school-level program director meetings and training events.
Ensure continued compliance with CAPTE standards and applicable regulatory requirements; lead accreditation reviews, self-studies, annual reporting, and site visits.
Monitor program outcomes, maintain required accreditation and regulatory records, and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Oversee curriculum design, implementation, assessment, and revision; promote evidence-based educational practices and innovation in teaching and learning.
Monitor student learning outcomes, graduation rates, licensure examination performance, and employment outcomes at the program and university levels.
Lead curricular assessment and continuous program improvement; oversee program assessment with DPT Core Faculty and the Department Chair.
Recruit, hire, onboard, mentor, and evaluate DPT Core Faculty and Credentialed Clinical Instructors.
Foster collaboration, inclusion, scholarship, and professional development; support faculty teaching, research, and service activities.
Conduct DPT Core Faculty and CCI performance reviews with the Department Chair and support promotion and tenure processes as applicable.
Promote student recruitment, retention, progression, and graduation; address student concerns and facilitate resolution of academic and professional issues.
Support student engagement, leadership development, and professional formation, and ensure fair and consistent application of academic policies.
Collaborate with clinical education leadership to ensure quality clinical placements; develop and maintain relationships with healthcare organizations and community partners.
Promote interprofessional education and collaborative practice, and support expansion of clinical affiliations and experiential learning opportunities.
Maintain scholarship, research, professional engagement, or clinical practice consistent with faculty rank requirements; encourage faculty and student scholarly activity.
Participate in institutional governance and committee service, engage with professional associations, and contribute to the advancement of physical therapy.