Careers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell

General Summary of Position:

The Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell invites applications for a Director of Clinical Education to be appointed at the Assistant, Associate or Full Clinical Professor, 9-month contract with additional compensation for summer clinical education requirements. The Director of Clinical Education will lead the clinical education program areas in the department’s graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and undergraduate Exercise Science programs and will have responsibilities including teaching, service, and advancement in pedagogy. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining, developing and growing strong clinical partnerships and effective clinical education experiences for students and support the mission of the department. The appointment is expected to begin September 2025.

The Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology is located within the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, a dynamic, growing college that prepares professionals and scientists in a wide range of health science fields including applied, clinical and translational areas. A large research program and vibrant community partnerships and engagement opportunities enrich and support our educational programs. The candidate will work with the dynamic faculty in the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, as well as with faculty in other colleges at UMass Lowell, with community partners, and with external academic or industry collaborators to strengthen the clinical education enterprise.

UMass Lowell, a Carnegie Research 1 university, enrolls more than 17,000 students. Approximately 44% of undergraduates identify as students of color and 45% are first-generation college students. The university is situated in the heart of New England on the banks of the Merrimack River, a beautiful and culturally diverse area and birthplace of America’s industrial revolution. Lowell, MA has a deep industrial history with mills throughout the city and is rapidly becoming an innovation hub attracting industry to the area to partner with UMass Lowell faculty and students. UMass Lowell is located 25 miles north of Boston with easy access to fine arts, dining, historical sites, and Boston’s professional sports. Just north of Lowell lies the grandeur of New Hampshire and Vermont, with expansive hiking and skiing trails and lakes, and Maine’s Atlantic coast. Lowell is a jewel of a city in one of the most attractive regions in the country.

Duties of the Position:

• Provide leadership and support to clinical education for DPT students and practicum experiences for undergraduate students in the
• Exercise Science program, including leadership and support to all clinical education faculty to address the diverse needs of students
• Teach and provide instructional support for clinical and practicum courses
• Maintain and expand clinical education sites and experiences for DPT students and undergraduate students in Exercise Science
• Monitor DPT and exercise science clinical program activities and develop processes and procedures to evaluate their effectiveness
• Use sound organizational, interpersonal, problem-solving and counseling skills to maintain and evolve the clinical education elements of the program
• Successfully work with clinical education faculty (SCCEs, CIs and preceptors) to address the diverse needs of the students
• Communicate information about clinical education with core faculty, clinical education sites, clinical education faculty (SCCEs and CIs), and students
• Advance clinical education pedagogy and practice and disseminate results.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Doctor of Physical Therapy degree
• Experience as a Clinical Instructor (CI) or Site Coordinator of Clinical Education (SCCE)
• At least 3 years of post-licensure practice as a full-time physical therapist.
• Strong communication, organizational, and collaborative skills
• Demonstrated success with cultivating clinical partnerships and supporting high quality clinical education experiences
• Demonstrated success with higher education undergraduate and/or graduate teaching
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Eligible for physical therapy licensure in Massachusetts

Additional Considerations:

• Academic doctoral degree (PhD, DSc, EdD) or other graduate degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or related field.
• Hold credentials in a clinical / practical area of expertise (e.g., CSCS, ACSM-EP, ABPTS board certification, etc.).
• Evidence of disseminating pedagogy in field of expertise.
• Local or national professional organization involvement or service
• Experience with Microsoft Office and database software

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Review of applications will begin April 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received. Expected start date is September 1, 2025.

Please include the following documents with your application:

• CV
• Cover letter describing experience in clinical education and higher education
• Clinical education and teaching philosophy (include a description of previous teaching experience and teaching philosophy and style)
• Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process. 

Optional Documents:

• Submission of up to three examples of scholarly work is optional.