Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Director

University of Kansas Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job summary

University of Kansas Medical Center seeks a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Director to lead the DNP program governance, curriculum integrity, and accreditation readiness. The role reports to the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and works with faculty, Student Affairs, clinical partners, and external stakeholders to ensure program success.

The incumbent will oversee program operations, support faculty teaching, coordinate practicums, and advance student recruitment, progression, and

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in nursing required.
• Doctoral degree in nursing, education, or related field required to ensure foundational knowledge.
• Three years of higher education teaching experience required.

Responsibilities

• Provide faculty leadership for the DNP program and coordinate operations.
• Support curriculum scheduling, faculty assignments, and preceptor engagement.
• Support student recruitment, admissions, progression, and retention for the DNP program.
• Lead program evaluation, quality improvement, and accreditation reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Written and Verbal Communication

Education

Graduate degree in nursing

Doctoral degree in nursing/education or related field

Job description

Department: SON Graduate Programs ----- Faculty Position Title: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Director Job Family Group: Academic

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.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Graduate degree in nursing.
• Doctoral degree in nursing, education, or a related field. This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.
• 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.

Skills

• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Written and Verbal Communication

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.

Employee Type

Regular Time Type: Full time

Mission of the University of Kansas Medical Center

The mission of the University of Kansas Medical Center is to improve lives and communities in Kansas and beyond through innovation in education, research, and health care.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

The University of Kansas Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, protected veteran or disability status, marital status, parental status, or genetic information.

Under Kansas state law, certain KUMC positions are subject to disability preference. For positions subject to this requirement, KUMC will offer an interview to a person who has applied for an open position who is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation, to meet the performance standards of the position and who has presented acceptable proof of disability. If the position you apply for is subject to the disability preference requirement, you will be asked to provide information in support of your request for disability preference when you complete the application for employment.

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