The developing Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Pepperdine University seeks a candidate to serve in a full-time faculty appointment as the Assistant Dean of Academics for its graduate program, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. The assistant dean has primary responsibility to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate the PA curriculum. The assistant dean is a key member of the leadership team, reports directly to the dean, and in collaboration with the dean supports all curricular, assessment, and instructional aspects of the PA Program.  Initial duties will also include curriculum development and preparation for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) application and site visit. Other duties include teaching, scholarship, academic advising, service, admissions, and professional activities. 

In addition to serving as a principal faculty member, the Assistant Dean of Academics will collaborate with the dean in the improvement and refinement of the curriculum for the PA program, to meet University and program goals, in accordance with the accreditation standards of the ARC-PA.

Pepperdine University, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The MSPAS program anticipates matriculating its first class in September 2027 pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the April 2027 ARC-PA meeting.  Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

The MSPAS program at Pepperdine University is pending approval by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC).

Duties:

• Provide academic leadership and oversight of the curriculum design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation.
• Develop, maintain, and revise course syllabi and instructional content in accordance with university guidelines and ARC-PA accreditation standards.
• Lead the program’s ongoing curriculum evaluation and continuous quality improvement efforts to ensure alignment with the program’s mission, the NCCPA blueprint, and current clinical practice standards.
• Coordinate and onboard faculty and guest lecturers, ensuring appropriate content delivery and alignment of instructional content with course objectives.
• Facilitate ongoing communication and collaboration among program faculty to support curricular planning and delivery.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the College of Health Science and external partners to develop and implement interprofessional education experiences.
• Provide student instruction, evaluate student performance, and assure the availability of remedial instruction.
• Advise and mentor PA students by providing academic counseling.
• Participate in student recruitment, application review, and the admissions selection process.
• Contribute to all phases of the program’s accreditation and continuous review process, including evaluating the program, development of the self-study, preparation for site visits, and submission of required reports.
• Participate in the development, review and revision of the program’s mission statement, goals, and competencies.
• Maintain and update the PA program’s handbooks and manuals.
• Serve on program and university committees and engage in service activities as assigned.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the dean.

Located in western Los Angeles County near Ventura County, Pepperdine University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute through their teaching, research, and service to foster academic excellence and cultivate a sense of belonging between the University and surrounding communities.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Please submit all application materials at: https://apply.interfolio.com/169888

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Full-Time, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $140,000 - $160,000 per year

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials via this link:

• A letter of application
• A curriculum vitae 
• Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within one year prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
• Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
• Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals (1,500 maximum word length).
• Scholarly/Creative agenda. The statement should outline applicants’ short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or creative activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. (1,500 maximum word length).
• Response to Mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the churches of Christ, it is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who richly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.

At Pepperdine, our faith calls us to uphold the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence. To achieve this goal, the School of Physician Assistant Studies' Mission Statement affirms that all our pursuits are grounded in a context of upholding Christian values.

Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian missions of Pepperdine University and the School of Physician Assistant Studies and address the following areas in their response:

• A consistent pattern of support for generally accepted Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
• Active participation in a community of faith.
• Either current practice or vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom and clinical practice. In your response, also reflect on the School of Physician Assistant Studies Mission, Vision and Values statement and share your philosophy of health, healing, and compassion as they relate to current issues in healthcare.

Depending on the position, the search committee may request that additional materials accompany the application (e.g., prior teaching evaluations, portfolio of scholarly work, etc.) 

All documents submitted must represent the original contributions of the applicant and may not be prepared using an generative artificial intelligence tool, except to provide an accommodation in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state and local regulations regarding individuals with disabilities.

For more information, please contact the chairperson of the search committee:

Dr. Amy Bronson (amy.bronson@pepperdine.edu)
Founding Dean, School of Physician Assistant Studies
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 902633