Assistant Program Director, DPT – Sample Job Description
The Assistant Program Director for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program supports the Program Director by offering guidance, leadership, and strategic planning to ensure seamless operations, continuous assessment of student learning, and curriculum development based on evaluation data. This role involves collaborating with faculty and staff from various academic programs, online education, instructional delivery, and shared service providers for course design and delivery. The Assistant Program Director interacts with multiple University departments to resolve issues and advance projects, and liaises with other first-professional programs for interprofessional content delivery. Additionally, this position includes teaching responsibilities within the DPT program.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the Program Director, Chair, and Dean to create and revise program policies, procedures, admission, academic progression, and graduation standards.
- Engage in marketing activities and respond to inquiries as necessary.
- Uphold and exemplify the University’s Core Values.
- Contribute to enhancing the student experience by assisting in the evaluation of student learning outcomes, success, and satisfaction. Analyze data to inform program and institutional improvements.
- Support the assessment of course quality and the implementation of changes for enhanced educational effectiveness.
- Liaise with other departments, including Enrollment Services, Registration, Admissions, Student Services, Finance, and Library, to ensure smooth program operations.
- Assist in maintaining institutional and programmatic accreditation.
- Collaborate with Online Education and the Digital Teaching and Learning Team to develop and revise courses as needed.
- Participate in university committee work, faculty meetings, and special events related to the program (e.g., orientation, interviews, registration, information sessions, fundraisers, off-campus visits, commencement, etc.).
- Consult with program directors, faculty, and the instructional design team to modify curricula as needed.
- Support faculty development activities, including supervision, evaluation, and coordination of contributing faculty sessions.
- Fulfill teaching responsibilities, service, and scholarship duties as required for all core faculty.
- Oversee recruitment, hiring, training, development, supervision, and annual performance evaluation of core and contributing faculty; assist local faculty with student-related advisement, progression, and retention issues.
- Work with the marketing committee and admissions to develop and implement marketing strategies to promote the program. Prepare and deliver presentations to various physical therapy and community groups as necessary.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the Program Director.
Qualifications:
- Exceptional communication skills, both in writing and face-to-face interactions.
- Recommended experience teaching in blended formats (e.g., online and face-to-face).
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
- Capacity to work independently on multiple projects/tasks with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work effectively in a team setting.
- Commitment to student success and the University’s Core Values.
- Willingness to travel to off-site locations for marketing and community/professional activities.
Education/Experience:
- An advanced doctoral degree is preferred, though candidates with a clinical doctorate will be considered. Salary and rank commensurate with credentials and experience. Applications will be reviewed immediately and on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
- A minimum of three years of higher education administrative experience in a DPT program is preferred.
- Outstanding written, oral, and data analysis skills. Strong research methodology and statistical experience are recommended.
- Prior accreditation experience is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience with collaboration and team building.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.