At West Coast University, we share a passion for students and transforming healthcare education! As Dean/Academic Program Director for a certified Great Place to Work, you will join a collaborative, student-centric culture valuing academic integrity, mutual respect, student learning, service, responsiveness, innovation, diversity, and stewardship.  As a part of this team, you will guide students to do more than change their own lives – you will help change the lives of every patient they care for throughout their career. 

You will make an impact by:

• Providing strategic leadership in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in support of West Coast University’s mission and goals, while ensuring compliance with programmatic accreditation standards (CAPTE) and state regulatory requirements.
• Overseeing curriculum development and coordination, determining teaching assignments, selecting and mentoring faculty, and managing clinical partnerships and experiential learning sites.
• Leading the program’s operational planning, budgeting, and evaluation processes to support quality educational outcomes and student success, including licensure pass rates and retention benchmarks.
• Serving as the primary liaison to internal stakeholders, accrediting agencies, licensing boards, and advisory boards to represent the physical therapy program’s interests and maintain positive, collaborative relationships.
• Fostering an inclusive and learner-centered environment that supports faculty development, faculty governance, academic innovation, and student achievement.
• Overseeing compliance with applicable regulations including Title IV, WSCUC, APTA, CAPTE, and California’s Bureau of Consumer Affairs.

Your Experience Includes:

• At least five years of administrative experience in higher education, including program planning, personnel management, budgeting, and accreditation oversight.
• Minimum of six years full-time experience in higher education, with at least three years in physical therapy education and documented clinical practice as a physical therapist.
• Evidence of academic scholarship in physical therapy education or clinical practice.
• Demonstrated ability to lead faculty, manage academic operations, implement assessment processes, and build strong relationships with external clinical partners.
• Knowledge of CAPTE accreditation, academic program review processes, and institutional effectiveness strategies.
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Education:

• An academic doctoral degree (Ph.D. Ed.D., or equivalent) is required that is awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE-recognized national or regional accrediting body. The doctoral degree is not limited to a doctorate in physical therapy.
• Eligible for faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
• Evidence of scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, practice or engagement, scholarship of teaching and learning).

Licenses/Certifications:

• Must be a credentialed physical therapist, licensed or eligible for licensure to practice in the State of California.

Qualifications:

• Experience in instructional design, assessment, and faculty development.
• Proficiency with MS Office and educational management systems.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead diverse teams and engage collaboratively across departments.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel as needed.
• Applicable databases and computer application system to supply the most accurate information, reports, and projections
• Minimum 5 years of administrative experience including program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting
• Minimum 5 years in the field of physical therapy, including documented clinical practice as a physical therapist
• Minimum 6 years full-time experience in higher education with a least 3 years fulltime withing physical therapy education
• Leadership knowledge in the program field to cultivate a learner-centered environment and to foster excellence
• Knowledge and evidence of a strong supervisory and management skills
• Knowledge of state, federal and local laws/regulations relating to programs, governmental compliance, and other regulatory standards such as Title IV, WASC, APTA CAPTE and other accreditation standards

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Do you want a career that allows you to make a difference in other people’s lives? Discover what it means to truly believe in the work that you do at West Coast University.

At West Coast University, we have the privilege of educating students seeking careers in healthcare and guide them through their transformational journey from student to caregiver. Our associates are united behind that purpose and share a deep commitment to our values of teamwork, collegiality, transparency, and a student-centric approach to all we do. This focus creates an aligned, nimble, and consensus-driven culture that is solution-oriented and supports our associates’ professional growth.

West Coast University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.