Program Director - Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is seeking applications for a full-time twelve-month faculty position in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, housed within the Department of Physical Therapy (PT) in the School of Health Professions (SHP).

The Program Director for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program provides strategic, academic, administrative, and operational leadership for the Physical Therapy program. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring program quality, accreditation compliance, student success, faculty development, curriculum oversight, and alignment with the institution’s mission and strategic goals. The Director fosters excellence in teaching, scholarship, clinical education, and service while maintaining compliance with accreditation standards and professional regulations.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Administration

• Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the DPT program.
• Develop and implement program goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure effective management of program operations, policies, procedures, and resources in collaboration with the Department Chair, DPT Core Faculty and School of Health Professions Leadership. Examples of specific duties include:
  • Annually update the DPT Program Student Handbook.
  • Order academic and clinical courses and oversee DPT Program course scheduling each semester.
  • Organize and lead DPT Program Core faculty meetings.
  • Oversee student professional development mentoring with Core Faculty.
• Oversee program budgeting, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship.
• Facilitate effective communication among faculty, students, administration, clinical partners, and external stakeholders.
• Represent the program within the institution, professional organizations, and the broader community.
• Attend school level program director meetings and training events.

Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure continued compliance with Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Lead accreditation reviews, self-studies, annual reporting, and site visits.
• Monitor program outcomes and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate program documentation and records required by accrediting and regulatory agencies.

Academic Leadership

• Provide oversight of curriculum design, implementation, assessment, and revision.
• Promote evidence-based educational practices and innovation in teaching and learning.
• Monitor student learning outcomes at the program and university level, graduation rates, licensure examination performance, and employment outcomes.
• Lead curricular assessment and continuous program improvement activities.
• Oversee and monitor program assessment in collaboration with the DPT core faculty and department chair.

Faculty Leadership and Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, mentor, and evaluate DPT Core faculty members and Credentialed Clinical Instructors (CCI’s).
• Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, scholarship, and professional development.
• Support faculty teaching excellence, research productivity, and service activities.
• Conduct DPT Core Faculty and CCI performance reviews in collaboration with the department chair, and support promotion and tenure processes as applicable.

Student Success

• 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.
• Ensure fair and consistent application of academic policies.

Clinical Education and External Partnerships

• Collaborate with clinical education leadership to ensure quality clinical placement opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare organizations and community partners.
• Promote interprofessional education and collaborative practice initiatives.
• Support expansion of clinical affiliations and experiential learning opportunities.

Scholarship and Service

• Maintain an active record of scholarship, research, professional engagement, or clinical practice consistent with faculty rank requirements.
• Encourage faculty and student participation in scholarly activities.
• Participate in institutional governance and committee service.
• Engage with professional associations and contribute to advancement of the physical therapy profession.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• 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.

Rank

• Must be eligible for rank of associate professor or professor according to the School of Health Professions Promotion and Tenure Guidelines.

Licensure

• Current, unrestricted physical therapist license or eligibility for licensure in Alabama.

Experience

• Minimum of six (6) years of higher education experience in physical therapy education.
• Minimum of three (3) 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

About the Department of Physical Therapy

The Department of Physical Therapy, part of the UAB School of Health Professions, has offered outstanding educational programs in physical therapy since 1964. They have been fully accredited since 1967. Today, they are preparing the next generation of physical therapists and other rehabilitation professionals through innovative education, impactful research, and excellence in clinical practice. Learn more: uab.edu/pt

About the School of Health Professions (SHP)

The School of Health Professions is home to nearly 30 programs and more than 40 offerings at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. As one of the six schools comprising the renowned UAB Academic Health Center, our students are exposed to vast resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and progressive research during their academic and clinical education. Learn more at https://uab.edu/shp.

About UAB

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally recognized research university and academic medical center known for interdisciplinary innovation in education and discovery. With more than $780 million in annual research expenditures and an estimated $12.1 billion annual economic impact on Alabama, UAB is the state’s largest employer, with approximately 28,000 employees. UAB was named Forbes’ No. 1 Large Employer and continues to be a national leader in research, healthcare, and education.

Required Qualifications

Academic doctorate degree required with previous academic/administrative experience (6 years or more in higher education with at least 3 years as a full-time faculty member); Eligible for physical therapy licensure in Alabama; and eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or higher at UAB. The candidate is expected to provide the leadership and vision to ensure quality educational programming.

Posting Detail Information

• Posting Number: F2959P
• Open Date: 10/27/2026
• Open Until Filled: Yes

Nondiscrimination Statement

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity institution. The university is committed to providing equal opportunities and access for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, or veteran status. In accordance with Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. Title IX information: uab.edu/titleix

Pre-employment Background Check

A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Letter of Recommendation