Program Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

About the role

The DPT Program Director (PD) holds a comprehensive leadership position within the division, carrying oversight responsibility for all aspects of the DPT program. Reporting directly to the Division Director the Program Director provides executive supervision to dedicated program faculty and staff while co-supervising cross-appointed core faculty. This role requires an academic strategist capable of managing program workloads, ensuring competent student progression, navigating university governance, maintaining fiscal integrity, and driving forward-thinking initiatives. The Division of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Minnesota is an academic unit with 21 core faculty lines, numerous associated faculty, and an 85-year history within the School of Medicine. Regarding quality graduates, scientific productivity, and professional leadership, the University of Minnesota upholds a strong national reputation. Degree programs include a DPT and DPT/PhD joint degree. The Division, integrated with the Rehabilitation Science program, also offers a PhD/MS and houses an accredited Geriatric Clinical Residency, as well as collaborations with other advanced physical therapy residencies and fellowships. As a major public research institution, the University of Minnesota has substantial opportunity for collaborative work across the University, in the local community, and with national and international institutions. The University offers substantial resources, including the Center for Educational Innovation, a system-wide resource offering opportunities in curriculum, pedagogy, technologies, educational research, and faculty development to advance effective teaching and engaged learning.

Responsibilities

• Maintain primary accountability and oversight for continuous CAPTE accreditation compliance, self-studies, site visits, progress reports, and annual reporting.
• Lead all internal program communication and governance, including organizing and facilitating regular DPT faculty meetings and annual faculty retreats.
• Represent the DPT program in institutional leadership meetings and serve as the primary advocate for the program to the state APTA chapter, ACAPT, clinical partners, and professional stakeholders.
• Serve as the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) / Director of Professional Studies (DPS) for the DPT program, ensuring alignment with institutional graduate school policies.
• Provide leadership across all standing DPT program committees (e.g., Admissions, Student Affairs, etc.).
• Manage DPT workload allocations across core