Director of Clinical Education - Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

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The University of the Cumberlands is seeking a Director of Clinical Education (DCE) / Core Faculty member to join the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. This position serves as administrative leadership of the clinical education program and plays a critical role in ensuring high-quality clinical learning experiences, student success, and ongoing compliance with accreditation standards. The current DCE remains part of the core faculty team, providing mentorship and support for the faculty hired for this position.  

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, curriculum development, student advising, program assessment, and scholarship, while leading the planning, coordination, assessment, and continuous improvement of the clinical education curriculum. Instruction occurs through a hybrid format that includes online (synchronous and asynchronous) and in-person teaching. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Education Leadership

• Direct and administer the clinical education component of the DPT curriculum.
• Establish, maintain, and evaluate clinical education sites to ensure appropriate quality, quantity, and diversity of learning experiences.
• Serve as liaison between the academic program and clinical education sites, including CCCEs and Clinical Instructors.
• Coordinate student clinical placements, progression, evaluation, remediation, and readiness for entry-level practice.
• Maintain clinical education agreements, records, and assessment data.
• Lead clinical faculty development and promote best practices in clinical instruction.
• Participate in accreditation preparation, reporting, and continuous quality improvement related to clinical education.

Core Faculty Responsibilities

• Teach within the DPT curriculum based on program needs and faculty expertise using hybrid instructional delivery.
• Participate in curriculum design, implementation, assessment, and revision.
• Advise and mentor students academically and professionally.
• Contribute to admissions, recruitment, retention, and student support activities.
• Participate in shared governance, faculty meetings, and institutional service.
• Engage in scholarly activity consistent with faculty rank and program expectations.
• Support program assessment, strategic planning, and accreditation activities.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited physical therapist professional program or equivalent.
• Earned academic or clinical doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DHSc, DSc, or DPT with ABPTS specialty certification).
• Active, unencumbered physical therapy license or eligibility for licensure or compact privilege in Kentucky.
• Minimum of three (3) years of clinical practice experience as a licensed physical therapist.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in clinical teaching and/or clinical education coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to administer and assess clinical education programs.
• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to utilize instructional and information technologies effectively.
• Ability to travel for on-campus teaching, program events, and clinical site engagement.
• Ability to work with diverse learners and comply with ADA requirements.
• Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior teaching experience in a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist education program.
• Experience with hybrid or distance education models.
• Experience with accreditation preparation and program assessment.
• Earned status as an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor.
• Active participation in professional service at the local, state, or national level.
• Record of scholarly activity related to education, clinical education, or professional practice.
• Geographic proximity to the University of the Cumberlands-Williamsburg, KY campus

The Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of the Cumberlands is a six-semester hybrid program emphasizing small class sizes, individualized student support, innovative instructional technologies, and strong clinical education partnerships. The program was granted initial accreditation by CAPTE in 2024.

Faculty may reside outside the Williamsburg, KY area; however, travel to campus is required for designated in-person instructional periods and program events.

The Institution

The University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a faith-based institution that welcomes students from all backgrounds. The mission of the University of the Cumberlands is to provide quality, affordable education to students from all backgrounds through broad-based academics. The University of the Cumberlands is an institution of regional distinction that offers associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in over 50 areas of study. The University of the Cumberlands is devoted to preparing students for the future through innovative online and hands-on experiential learning and research. U.S. News ranked the University of the Cumberlands in the top five percent of the nation’s top performers on Social Mobility.

Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience; excellent benefits for employees and their dependents.

Application materials must include: 1) a cover letter of intent, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) teaching philosophy statement, and 4) three letters of reference and contact information.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled. 

For more information related to this position and/or to set up a meeting with the Search Committee to discuss this opportunity, please contact Steve Hammons, Professor and Search Committee Chair, at steve.hammons@ucumberlands.edu

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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“life-more-abundant.”