Senior Academic Program Director, DPT

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  • Full Time
  • St. Augustine, FL

Senior Academic Program Director, DPT – St. Augustine, FL

The Senior Academic Program Director is a full-time academic core faculty member responsible for providing leadership and management of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program across multiple campuses. This position works closely with academic administrators, administrative staff, and both full-time and part-time faculty to ensure the delivery of a high-quality curriculum that meets program goals, institutional expectations, and accreditation standards. The Senior Program Director oversees their designated home campus DPT program along with at least one expansion program.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Physical Therapy, the Senior Program Director plays a critical role in program development, policy revisions, admissions, academic progress, and graduation competencies. Additionally, they collaborate with internal departments to resolve faculty and student issues while contributing to the institution’s strategic initiatives and long-term program sustainability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Strategic Planning

  • Provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the DPT program, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and continuous quality improvement.
  • Develops and implements strategic plans for program growth and expansion.
  • Collects, analyzes, and utilizes key performance metrics, such as student learning outcomes, faculty workload, student satisfaction, graduation rates, licensure pass rates, and employability data, to drive continuous improvement.
  • Builds a culture of innovation and selects strategies that best support the program’s mission and long-term objectives.
  • Leads curriculum development and program improvement efforts, working collaboratively with other disciplines as needed.

Program Operations

  • Oversees the effective operation of the DPT program, ensuring efficient workflows, appropriate faculty numbers, and curriculum quality.
  • Fosters strong communication and collaboration among students, faculty, and staff to promote a positive academic environment.
  • Addresses student concerns, provides academic advising, and assists in problem-solving and complaint resolution.
  • Actively participates in student recruitment efforts and marketing initiatives.
  • Ensures faculty are aligned with department and institutional outcomes as outlined in the Institutional Effectiveness Plan.
  • Coordinates and supports scholarly project research for students, serving on relevant committees as needed.
  • Monitors and improves student progression, retention, and graduation rates.
  • Ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
  • Manages faculty recruitment, hiring, and supervision.
  • Works with instructional design teams to develop and refine course content.
  • Collaborates with other academic programs for interprofessional education initiatives.
  • Participates in DPT program instruction.
  • Leads and enhances the Dissertation and Scholarly Projects process.

Faculty and Staff Leadership & Development

  • Demonstrates effective leadership and team-building skills in faculty and staff management.
  • Evaluates faculty effectiveness using established performance standards.
  • Mentors faculty and staff to enhance performance, promote leadership development, and foster teamwork.
  • Cultivates a culture that aligns with the institution’s core values and prioritizes student success.

Scholarly and Professional Development

  • Engages in professional development, staying informed about best practices, accreditation policies, and trends in physical therapy education.
  • Maintains an active presence in relevant professional organizations and conferences.
  • Conducts research and applies theoretical and practical knowledge to foster faculty and student development.

Fiscal Management

  • Works closely with admissions and enrollment teams to meet projected enrollment goals.
  • Assesses and advocates for necessary resources based on program needs and strategic objectives.
  • Manages program budgets responsibly, ensuring fiscal efficiency and equitable allocation of funds.

Core Management Responsibilities

  • Leads participation in accreditation processes and ensures compliance with federal, state, and accrediting body regulations.
  • Maintains exceptional customer service for both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Fosters a collaborative and accountable organizational culture.
  • Upholds institutional policies and procedures.
  • Serves on institutional committees and contributes to program governance.
  • Approves prerequisite course substitutions and transfer credits.

Other Duties and Responsibilities: 
Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed, including:

  • Collaborating with instructional design teams to develop and improve course content.
  • Partnering with the Director of Curriculum Quality to ensure an integrated and cohesive curriculum across all DPT programs.
  • Working with the Executive Director of Accreditation and Assessment to meet all accreditation requirements and timelines for both main and expansion programs.
  • Engaging with Clinical Services to ensure high-quality clinical experiences for students.
  • Serving on institutional committees and contributing to faculty governance.
  • Participating in student recruitment and admissions activities.
  • Engaging in professional development, scholarship, service, and clinical work as outlined in the faculty professional development plan.

Position in Organization:

Reports to: Associate Dean for Physical Therapy
Positions Supervised: Faculty and support staff as assigned

Qualifications: 

Education & Experience:

  • Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, or DPT with academic focus) required.
  • 10+ years of experience in higher education as a senior administrator or faculty member.
  • Extensive experience in program management, accreditation, and curriculum development within physical therapy education.
  • Proven ability to lead, develop, and evaluate faculty and staff.
  • Experience in strategic planning, enrollment management, and student retention initiatives.
  • Strong understanding of accreditation and quality assurance processes in higher education.

Skills & Competencies:

  • Strong leadership and team management skills.
  • Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to program excellence.
  • Experience in budget management and resource allocation.

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Excelon does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital or veteran status, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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