Program Director, MS Physician Assistant Studies Program

The Community Solution•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Director is responsible for developing and launching The Chicago School’s MS Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program. The role provides strategic vision, academic leadership, and administrative oversight to support successful implementation and ongoing program excellence. In alignment with the University’s mission, values, and strategic plan, the Director ensures compliance with Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) Standards and oversees program organization, administration, fiscal management, continuous review, and communication. The Director leads accreditation readiness, curriculum oversight, faculty management, and program assessment to support student success and program quality, including participation in accreditation activities and preparation for and execution of site visits. This is a full-time, 12-month faculty appointment, with at least 50% of effort dedicated to administrative responsibilities for the program. On-campus presence at the Chicago Campus is required; occasional travel may be required.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program.
Current or emeritus certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Earned doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DHSc, DMSc, or related field) from a regionally accredited institution.
At least three years of full-time higher education experience at the time of appointment.
Experience within an accredited Physician Assistant program.
Progressive leadership experience within a PA program, such as Assistant/Associate Program Director, Clinical Director, Academic Coordinator, or equivalent.
Direct experience with ARC-PA processes, including participation in self-study preparation, accreditation reporting, and/or site visits.
Clinical practice experience as a Physician Assistant.
Demonstrated administrative leadership in an academic or PA program setting, including program planning, personnel management, budget oversight, and outcomes assessment.
Experience supervising, mentoring, and evaluating faculty.
Experience with program assessment, outcomes evaluation, and continuous quality improvement processes.
Experience working collaboratively as a member of an academic and/or leadership team.
Ability to work on campus at the Chicago Campus location; occasional travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of full-time higher education experience, particularly within a PA program setting.
Prior experience as a Program Director or in a leadership role within a PA program.
Experience leading accreditation reviews or site visits.
Evidence of scholarship and professional engagement.
Experience with curriculum development and program assessment.
Experience with hybrid education delivery.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic vision and leadership to develop and launch the PA program in alignment with institutional goals and ARC-PA Standards.
Ensure program organization, structure, and delivery meet accreditation and regulatory requirements, and maintain continuous compliance with ARC-PA policies.
Lead programmatic self-assessment, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement processes.
Maintain effective communication among faculty, administration, students, and external stakeholders.
Develop, implement, and maintain accreditation documentation and reports; oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting for accreditation and program outcomes.
Coordinate and lead accreditation site-visit preparation, including documentation, logistics, and stakeholder readiness.
Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of didactic and clinical curricula aligned with program learning outcomes, professional competencies, and accreditation expectations.
Monitor student learning outcomes and program effectiveness, and support curriculum improvement based on outcomes, feedback, and professional standards.
Recruit, hire, develop, and evaluate program faculty and staff in accordance with institutional policies and program needs.
Supervise the medical director, principal and instructional faculty, and staff in activities directly related to the PA program.
Mentor faculty, manage performance, and support faculty engagement in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing academic environment.
Ensure systems support student progression, retention, and timely degree completion; oversee processes addressing student concerns, academic performance, and professional development.
Promote a student-centered environment and oversee student selection and admissions in collaboration with program faculty.
Provide strategic leadership on enrollment, workforce, and program sustainability initiatives, supporting long-term growth and responsiveness to healthcare workforce needs.
Develop and manage the program budget with institutional leadership and oversee resource allocation.
Ensure efficient day-to-day program operations, including scheduling and staffing.
Represent the program internally and externally, cultivate strategic partnerships, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and enhance program reputation and visibility.