Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Director

Kansas University; Kansas City (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas University is seeking the DNP Program Director to provide faculty leadership for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, coordinating operations, curriculum, and assessment. The role liaises with academic leadership, Student Affairs, clinical partners, and external stakeholders to ensure standards compliance.

In collaboration with faculty and program leadership, the Director focuses on continuous improvement, reporting, and the implementation of evaluation activities to enhance outcomes

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in nursing.
• Doctoral degree in nursing, education, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of teaching experience in higher education, nursing education, or a related academic setting.
• Current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification and licensure.
• Clinical experience as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
• Experience leading an academic program, course coordination, and/or curriculum development.
• Experience supporting accreditation, regulatory compliance, and/or program assessment.
• Experience coordinating practicum placements and preceptor engagement.
• Experience with student recruitment, admissions, progression, retention, academic advising.

Responsibilities

• DNP Program Leadership and Coordination: serve as faculty leader and resource for the DNP program and collaborate with leadership to support operations and quality improvement.
• DNP Curriculum and Faculty Support: promote curricular integrity and teaching effectiveness, schedule planning, and recruit/preceptor engagement for DNP courses.
• Student Success and Academic Progression: support recruitment, admissions, progression, and retention and advise on program requirements and policies.
• DNP Program Assessment and Quality Improvement: lead program evaluation and develop action plans for program quality.

Education

Graduate degree in nursing

Doctoral degree in nursing, education, or a related field

Job description

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Director reports to the Associate Dean Graduate Programs. The role provides faculty leadership for the administration, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the DNP program. The Program Director serves as the primary liaison among DNP faculty and students, academic leadership, Student Affairs, clinical partners, and external stakeholders to support DNP program operations and outcomes. In collaboration with faculty, school leadership, and the Director of Assessment, the Program Director ensures compliance with professional, accreditation, and regulatory standards.

Job Duties

DNP Program Leadership and Coordination

• Serves as the faculty leader and resource for the DNP program.
• Collaborates with the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and specialty coordinators to support DNP program operations, implementation, and continuous quality improvement.
• Contributes to reporting, communication, and coordination among faculty and key stakeholders.
• Participates in accreditation and regulatory reporting.

DNP Curriculum and Faculty Support

• Promotes curricular integrity and consistency within the DNP program.
• Promotes faculty teaching effectiveness by communicating teaching expectations and best practices.
• Provides input for DNP course scheduling and faculty teaching assignments.
• Supports recruitment, onboarding, and engagement of qualified preceptors and adjunct faculty for DNP courses.
• Collaborates in the identification and evaluation of DNP practicum placements.

Student Success and Academic Progression

• Collaborates with the Office of Student Affairs to support student recruitment, admissions, progression, and retention for the DNP program.
• Serves as a resource regarding DNP program requirements, policies, and student success initiatives.
• Collaborates with faculty, Student Affairs, and academic leadership to address DNP student concerns.

DNP Program Assessment and Quality Improvement

• Leads program evaluation and assessment activities; identifies opportunities for program improvement.
• Assists with the development and implementation of action plans to support DNP program quality and effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate degree in nursing.
• Doctoral degree in nursing, education, or a related field.

Work Experience:

Three (3) years of teaching experience in higher education, nursing education, or a related academic setting.

Preferred Qualifications

Certification/Licenses:

• Current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification and licensure.

Work Experience:

• Clinical experience as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
• Experience leading an academic program, course coordination, and/or curriculum development.
• Experience supporting accreditation, regulatory compliance, and/or program assessment.
• Experience coordinating practicum placements and preceptor engagement.
• Experience with student recruitment, admissions, progression, retention, academic advising.