Program Director & Department Head, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Program Director & Department Head, Doctor of Physical Therapy

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.

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.

Required 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 PT programs and 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.

About the Institution

Mississippi State University - Meridian serves primarily east Mississippi and west Alabama and has expanded its national reach through high-demand health science programs. With two campuses, College Park and Riley, the university offers both credit and non-credit coursework designed to support traditional and non-traditional students. As an upper-division degree completion site, MSU-Meridian is known for strong partnerships with four regional community colleges and for developing distinctive graduate programs that prepare adult learners for careers in education, healthcare, and mental health. MSU-Meridian also supports workforce advancement through Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Applied Technology degrees, reinforcing its commitment to teaching, research, and service.

The School of Health Professions is located on the Riley Campus in downtown Meridian. Approved in May 2024 by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the School represents an investment in building a vibrant health professions campus. The Riley Campus is undergoing a strategic transformation into a dedicated health sciences campus, advancing innovative approaches to address health disparities across the state. It is home to Mississippi’s first publicly funded Master of Physician Assistant Studies program, Healthcare Administration program, PsyD in Combined Health Services Psychology, and accelerated Master of Science in Nursing entry licensure program, the latter recently receiving Phase I approval from the Board of Trustees. The Riley Campus also houses the Mental & Behavioral Health Clinic. By creating a unified administrative structure for current and future programs, the School is positioned to expand access, elevate quality, and meaningfully increase the number of highly prepared healthcare professionals serving the state and region.

About the Community

Meridian, Mississippi, blends rich history with creative energy. With our railroad roots and our love of great music, Meridian offers a flourishing arts scene amid what amounts to a museum of gorgeous architecture. Urban lakes and parks soothe the soul with their natural beauty, and one-of-a-kind attractions appeal to the kid or the creative in us all. Come see why Garden & Gun magazine calls Meridian “Mississippi’s unofficial seat of culture.” From live performances at the historic MSU Riley Center to exploring the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, the city celebrates its artistic spirit year-round.

Meridian is halfway between Atlanta and Dallas, and between Nashville and New Orleans, placing several major Southern cities within easy reach. With commercial flights through Meridian Regional Airport and passenger rail service via Amtrak, the city remains well connected to destinations near and far. A regional hub for healthcare, education, manufacturing, and transportation, Meridian offers economic stability alongside a welcoming, community-centered feel, making it a place where culture, connectivity, and opportunity intersect.

Application Process

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 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.