Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director

Grand Valley State University; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A public university in Michigan is seeking a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director for a tenure-track position. The role involves administration, teaching, and scholarship in a well-respected DPT program. Candidates must have a post-professional doctoral degree, physical therapy licensure in Michigan, and experience in administration and teaching. The position begins in August 2026, with priority for applications submitted by March 1, 2026. Competitive salary based on experience.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a post-professional doctoral degree.
• Current physical therapy licensure in Michigan required.
• Strong leadership and time management skills essential.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion and to university mission.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of program accreditation, budget, admissions.
• Teaching in an area of clinical expertise and advising students.
• Participate in independent scholarly activity.
• Represent the program in state, regional, and national professional communities.

Skills

Collaborative leadership

Time management

Understanding of physical therapy practice

Service

Collaboration

Time management

Equity & inclusion commitment

Education

Post-professional doctoral degree

Michigan physical therapy licensure

Job description

Position Title

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director

Summary

Full-Time, 12-Month, Tenure-Stream Position. The Department of Physical Therapy/Athletic Training within Grand Valley State University’s College of Health Professions invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Associate Professor level (or higher) to serve as the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director. The start date for this position is August 2026.

Required Qualifications and Education

• An earned post-professional doctoral degree and hold the rank of Associate or Full Professor in an accredited DPT program.
• An understanding of higher education and contemporary physical therapy practice, a record of effective administrative and teaching experience as well as evidence of scholarship and service activity.
• Current physical therapy licensure in Michigan (or the ability to obtain licensure).
• Strong collaborative and collegial interpersonal relationships with peers and students.
• Excellent time management and leadership skills.
• Supportive of goals to improve equity and inclusion within the profession.
• Committed to supporting the mission, vision, goals and objectives of the university, college, program, and the profession.

Preferred Qualifications and Education

• Candidates who are tenured and have held the rank of Associate or Full Professor at least six years.
• Previous experience as a program director and with the CAPTE accreditation process, and value diversity of people, ideas, and experiences.

Responsibilities – Essential Functions

• Administration: oversight of program accreditation, budget, admissions, assessment, and curriculum activities; support of faculty development in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Teaching: instruction in an area of clinical expertise and advising students.
• Scholarship: participate in independent scholarly activity and direct graduate student research.
• Service: participate in college, university, community, and professional service; represent the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) physical therapy program in state, regional, and national physical therapy education communities.

Salary

Commensurate with experience

Department/Division

Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training in the College of Health Professions. The physical therapy program offers a 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree that is fully accredited through April 30, 2034. This well-established, highly respected program is housed in a state-of-the-art facility with access to adequate space for instructional (both lecture and laboratory), research, and simulation purposes. The GVSU DPT program is situated on a growing health campus within the rapidly expanding healthcare corridor of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Opportunities exist for clinical and scholarly interprofessional collaboration with faculty from other programs within the College of Health Professions and the University, as well as with healthcare professionals from community institutions.

Campus

Health Campus

How to Apply

Apply online at jobs.gvsu.edu and select "Apply now". Please include a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae and brief statements outlining your leadership, scholarship and research experiences, and teaching philosophy. The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically. On the application, you will be required to provide names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for three professional references. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215. For additional information, contact Teresa Beck, Search Chair at [e-mail].

Application Deadline

Consideration of applications will begin immediately, and the posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University. Although the position will remain open until filled, applications submitted by March 1, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The successful candidate will begin the position in August 2026.

Allendale, Michigan 49401 - [phone]

For more information about Grand Valley, see our website at www.gvsu.edu

Grand Valley State University is an EOE which includes protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. See http://www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/.

TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/.

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.