Position Function:
Mississippi State University - Meridian, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Program Director & Department Head, Doctor of Physical Therapy. Mississippi State University - Meridian invites a founding leader to build a nationally distinctive Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the new School of Health Professions. With a statewide mission to expand access to care—especially in rural and underserved communities—MSU is investing in an innovative program that blends high-quality online learning, short in-person lab immersions, and community-based clinical education. The founding Program Director & Department Head will recruit the inaugural faculty, shape a modern hybrid operating model, and launch an academically rigorous, student-centered program that strengthens Mississippi’s rehabilitation workforce.
The appointment is a full-time, tenured faculty position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor within the Department of Physical Therapy. The DPT program has been approved by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning as a hybrid program to meet the needs of learners while delivering a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum. While the didactic curriculum is delivered in a hybrid/online format, the founding Program Director is expected to maintain a consistent and visible on-campus presence to support students, faculty, accreditation activities, and program operations.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Area of Specialization:
Physical Therapy
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Foster the development of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in alignment with CAPTE accreditation requirements.
- Create, facilitate, and implement a vision and strategic plan for the department and its programs/ventures in alignment with the college and university strategic plans.
- Set goals for the department and its programs/initiatives in collaboration with faculty and college/university leaders. Work to meet standards of excellence in physical therapy and rehabilitation sciences education/research and establish the department as a national leader.
- Oversee and manage the department’s finances and budget to achieve financial goals set collaboratively with the Dean of the School of Health Professions.
- Recruit, select, and retain faculty members that strengthen the department in alignment with the vision, values, and strategic goals of the organization
Minimum Qualifications:
- The program director demonstrates the academic and professional qualifications and relevant experience in higher education requisite for providing effective leadership for the program, the program faculty, and the students. These qualifications include all of the following: Is a physical therapist who holds an active, unencumbered PT license in any United States jurisdiction and is in compliance with the practice act in the jurisdiction where the program is located. For CAPTE-accredited programs outside the United States, the program director is licensed or regulated as a PT in accordance with their country's regulations.
- Has earned an academic doctoral degree, or previous CAPTE-granted exemption
- Meets eligibility for appointment at the rank of associate or full professor.
- Has a minimum of 6 years of full-time higher education experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of full-time experience as a core faculty member in a CAPTE-accredited entry-level physical therapist education program.
- Record of progressive administrative and leadership experience that demonstrates the ability to serve as the DPT program director and department head. This includes experience with CAPTE accreditation, curriculum development and implementation, budgeting and resource allocation, and personnel management.
- Preferred Qualifications:
- Special consideration will be given to candidates with previous university-level experience and/or leadership in hybrid education models. **Preference given to candidates who reside within, or are willing to relocate to, a reasonable commuting distance from Meridian, MS. Active American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) membership.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of Higher Education program development
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Office Environment
Instructions for Applying:
All correspondence relating to the position of Program Director & Department Head, Doctor of Physical Therapy at Mississippi State University - Meridian should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive search consultant:
Erin House, Assistant Vice President
Scott Healy & Associates
erin@scotthealy.com
A complete application should include the following:
1.Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
2.Current CV or Resume;
3.Contact information for three (3) professional references with title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)
Applications received by April 10, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.
Mississippi State University is an
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
