Program Lead, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Harrisburg University•Harrisburg, PA

1d•$55,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Lead for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science provides academic, administrative, assessment, and accreditation leadership across the BS Exercise Science program and is responsible for its continued development, academic quality, growth, and operational sustainability. The Program Lead works collaboratively with faculty, university leadership, the Office of Assessment and Accreditation (OAA), and external partners to maintain a rigorous, contemporary curriculum that reflects professional standards, accreditation requirements, workforce needs, and best practices in exercise science education. The BS in Exercise Science offers three pathways to degree completion, all delivered through a hybrid model combining asynchronous online coursework with in-person laboratory immersions where applicable. Two pathways serve licensed Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) pursuing the PTA-to-Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Pathway BS in Exercise Science, with both full-time and part-time options available. A third pathway serves entry-level and transfer students through a traditional four-year, full-time degree plan.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Human Performance, or a closely related discipline required.
Relevant academic or professional experience in exercise science or a closely related field.
Demonstrated experience teaching or mentoring undergraduate students.
Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Education, or a related discipline preferred.
Academic program leadership experience preferred.
Experience with curriculum development, program assessment, and continuous quality improvement preferred.
Familiarity with CAAHEP/CoAES accreditation and institutional assessment processes preferred.
Experience managing Key Assignments or comparable program-level assessment measures preferred.
Professional certification through ACSM, NSCA, or another recognized professional organization preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide academic and operational leadership for the BS Exercise Science program, including curriculum implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Coordinate course scheduling, faculty assignments, and program operations in collaboration with university leadership.
Support the recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and development of faculty teaching within the program.
Ensure appropriate alignment among course learning outcomes (CLOs), program learning outcomes (PLOs), instructional activities, assessments, and curricular sequencing.
Maintain a contemporary, evidence-informed curriculum integrating foundational science, applied exercise science, laboratory experiences, experiential learning, and preparation for professional practice and graduate education.
Collaborate with Admissions, Advising, Student Services, and other university offices to support student recruitment, progression, retention, and graduation.
Maintain the program's accreditation and ongoing compliance with Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES) standards, policies, and requirements.
Maintain comprehensive documentation demonstrating compliance with accreditation standards related to curriculum, faculty, resources, student experiences, and program outcomes.
Lead accreditation reporting, annual reviews, self-studies, site-visit preparation, substantive-change reporting, and other required accreditation activities.
Monitor program outcomes and established benchmarks and lead improvement initiatives when indicated.
Maintain current knowledge of evolving accreditation standards and proactively identify and address potential areas of noncompliance or program risk.
Promote a culture of systematic assessment and continuous quality improvement throughout the program.
Maintain program compliance with the standards, processes, and expectations established by the OAA.
Oversee the development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of Key Assignments (KAs) within designated Exercise Science courses.
Ensure alignment of Key Assignments with CLOs, PLOs, curriculum maps, and institutional assessment expectations.
Collaborate with faculty to ensure Key Assignments and associated rubrics are implemented and assessed consistently across course sections and delivery formats.
Coordinate the collection, review, analysis, documentation, and reporting of program assessment data.
Use assessment findings to inform curricular decisions, identify opportunities for improvement, and document continuous quality improvement.
Serve as the primary program liaison with OAA regarding program assessment, Key Assignments, and institutional reporting requirements.
Maintain an appropriate faculty teaching assignment within the Exercise Science curriculum based on program needs and area of expertise.
Advise and mentor students regarding academic progression, professional certifications, career opportunities, and graduate health professions education.
Promote student participation in internships, experiential learning, research, professional organizations, and relevant professional certifications, including American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) credentials.
Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare, fitness, wellness, community, and graduate education partners to support experiential learning and career opportunities for students.
Participate in university service, student recruitment, professional engagement, and scholarly activities consistent with faculty expectations.