Working Title: Physician Assistant Studies Graduate Program Director

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Health and Behavioral Studies

Department: 100720 - Department of Health Professions

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:  

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 10/26/2026

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Department of Health Professions in the College of Health and Behavioral Studies (CHBS) at James Madison University invites applications for Graduate Program Director of the Physician Assistant Studies program at the rank of Associate or Full Professor of Practice. This is a renewable term appointment. Accredited by ARC-PA, the program boasts a 98% first-time PANCE pass rate over the past five years and is supported by a stable, experienced faculty. The position offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across Health Professions programs and throughout the College. The preferred start date is January 1, 2027, with some flexibility based on candidate availability and institutional needs.

The successful candidate will join an engaged faculty at one of the nation's leading public universities. CHBS is committed to fostering a welcoming, innovative environment that supports individual and collective growth through education, scholarship, and service. Learn more about CHBS at https://www.jmu.edu/chbs/about.shtml

Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will:
1. Teach graduate courses in the Physician Assistant Studies program.
2. Serve as the Program Director to oversee ARC-PA accreditation processes and ensure ongoing compliance with standards.
3. Provide strategic leadership for the program through oversight of program organization, administration, fiscal management, and continuous programmatic review and analysis.
4. Lead programmatic curriculum development, implementation, and assessment efforts of the graduate program.
5. Engage in scholarly activities and contribute service to the department, college, university, and profession.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies.
2. Minimum of three years of full-time experience in higher education at the time of appointment.
3. Current NCCPA certification as a Physician Assistant or NCCPA Emeritus certification status.
4. Currently licensed as a Physician Assistant in the state of Virginia, or eligible for Virginia licensure with the requirement to obtain by the start date.
5. Demonstrated experience mentoring students in an academic and/or professional setting.
6. Commitment to interprofessional education and evidence-based teaching practices.
7. Evidence of an active scholarly agenda and ongoing professional development.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. Record of experience or expertise in teaching a variety of courses in Physician Assistant Studies.
2. Record of leadership experience in a Physician Assistant academic program; special consideration will be given to candidates with experience in continuous programmatic review and assessment.
3. Strong record of scholarly experience.
4. Evidence of professional service.

Additional Posting Information:

Applicants must submit: (1) a cover letter addressing teaching, leadership, and scholarship experience, (2) a leadership philosophy statement (submitted under "Other Document #1" in the JMU application portal), (3) a teaching philosophy statement, (4) a curriculum vitae, and (5) names and contact information for three professional references.

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.