Program Director - Master of Occupational Therapy

Baker College; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker College in Michigan invites applications for the ACOTE-compliant Program Director for the Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program. The role provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership to a growing graduate program.

The successful candidate will ensure curricular integrity, accreditation success, and strong student outcomes, while guiding long-range strategic initiatives and collaboration with faculty, students, and partners.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD/OTD/EdD) from a USDE-recognized, accredited institution.
• Eight+ years of documented occupational therapy experience, including direct clinical practice.
• Administrative experience in program planning, personnel management, evaluation, and budget/resource management.
• At least four years of faculty experience at the post-baccalaureate level with scholarship aligned to ACOTE expectations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the MSOT program.
• Ensure curricular integrity and ACOTE accreditation compliance; drive quality improvement and student outcomes.
• Lead long-range strategic initiatives and collaborate with faculty, students, leadership, and community partners.
• Oversee program administration, resource management, and liaison activities to advance a culture of excellence and student-centered learning.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic planning

ACOTE knowledge

Education

Doctoral degree (PhD/OTD/EdD)

Job description

Discover the opportunity to join Baker College, honored as one of the 2024, 2025 & 2026 Best and Brightest Workplaces in West Michigan, Metro Detroit & Nationally!

The Opportunity

Are you a visionary leader passionate about shaping the future of occupational therapy education? We are seeking an exceptional Program Director for our Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program to provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership for a thriving and innovative graduate program.

As the institution's designated ACOTE-compliant Program Director, you will serve as the driving force behind program excellence, ensuring curricular integrity, accreditation success, and outstanding student outcomes. This highly influential role offers the opportunity to lead long-range strategic initiatives, foster academic innovation, and guide the continued growth of a program that prepares future occupational therapy professionals to meet the evolving needs of healthcare and the communities they serve.

Balancing leadership with scholarly and program service, the Program Director maintains overall accountability for program administration, resource management, ACOTE accreditation compliance and liaison, and continuous quality improvement. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty, students, institutional leadership, and community partners to advance a culture of excellence, innovation, and student-centered learning.

Qualifications & Key Expertise

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Earned doctoral degree (Ph.D., OTD, Ed.D., or equivalent) from a USDE-recognized, institutionally accredited institution.
• Clinical Experience: Minimum of eight years of documented experience in occupational therapy, including direct clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist.
• Administrative Experience: Documented experience in program planning, implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budget/resource management.
• Academic Experience: At least four years of faculty experience teaching at the post-baccalaureate level, with a demonstrated record of scholarship consistent with institutional and ACOTE expectations.

Ideal Core Competencies:

• Deep understanding of the complementary roles of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants (including supervision, delegation, and collaborative delivery).
• Expertise in higher education assessment, curriculum development, and learning management systems.
• Strong mastery of ACOTE accreditation standards.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, team-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
• A commitment to student-centered, inclusive education, and the ability to use data to drive academic and administrative decisions.

Join Our Mission

If you are an accomplished educator, strategic thinker, and collaborative leader ready to make a lasting impact on the profession, we invite you to join us in shaping the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners.

At Baker College, we're on a mission to transform education with a Student-First philosophy. Our President's vision is dedicated to creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff flourish. Join us in cultivating a culture of belonging and engagement, where every individual is valued and appreciated.

The successful candidate will believe in and support this student-first philosophy while contributing to the overall success of Baker College, acting as a positive role model and brand ambassador both on and off campus.

The full position description is available for your review online Program Director - MSOT

ABOUT BAKER COLLEGE:

Founded in 1911, Baker College is committed to embracing technology, sparking innovation, and fostering a supportive learning environment where students can get the real-world knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to pursue the life and career they want. Each of our six campus locations is special, with a unique culture, collection of academic programs, and landscape.

Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Our student-first philosophy is the cornerstone of our institution-it is our compass, guiding us and keeping us on course, ensuring that our students and their academic and professional success remain our ultimate priority.

Please visit Baker College Careers Page for more information.

TITLE IX NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

Baker College prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located in the Baker College Title IX Policy.