Associate Professor - Director, Physician Assistant Program

Faculty are essential to Liberty University’s mission of Training Champions for Christ. It is expected that ‎‎‎‎‎a faculty member model a personal commitment to the goals and values of Liberty University, engage ‎‎‎‎‎in an active commitment to, and experience of, personal spiritual formation within a biblically informed ‎‎‎‎‎Christian worldview. Faculty should view their teaching, engagement with students, and scholarship as a ‎‎‎means to a significant educational ‎‎end. They should strive to employ a variety of techniques for the ‎‎‎development of good learning ‎‎conditions, view each student as a unique individual, and insofar as it is ‎‎‎possible, provide for individual ‎‎differences, abilities, and interests. ‎

The Associate Professor’s primary role is to teach in their areas of expertise, maintain the ‎‎integrity of ‎‎course and ‎instructional programs, and to ensure that their delivery is in alignment with the University ‎‎mission and ‎‎‎vision for the student experience. As such, faculty are responsible for creating an academic ‎‎atmosphere ‎‎‎of mutual respect and consideration for individual dignity. Faculty members may be asked ‎‎to aid in the ‎‎‎development of curriculum in the residential and distance education environments, as well ‎‎as engage in ‎‎‎research/scholarship or creative activity that varies depending upon the expectations of ‎‎their respective ‎‎‎college or school and any additional activities involving service to students and their ‎‎professional ‎‎‎discipline. ‎

Faculty attain the rank of Associate Professor based upon scholarly and professional achievements ‎‎subsequent to ‎‎attaining the rank of assistant professor. An earned doctoral degree from an accredited ‎‎institution in an ‎‎area relevant to the faculty member’s area of teaching or a terminal professional ‎‎master’s degree or ‎‎evidence of outstanding contributions in the faculty member’s professional or ‎‎academic field (e.g., as ‎‎recognized by one’s peers, nationally) is required. ‎ ‎

Associate Professors are contracted for 10, 11, or 12 months (24, 27, or 30 load hours, respectively). ‎‎Release from contracted teaching load is determined each semester by the Dean, per the Liberty University Faculty Handbook.

Program directors are expected to:

• Evaluate and monitor student progress within the program.
• Serves as program representative on committees regarding student progress.
• Participates in the admissions process.
• Assists in program development and evaluation.
• Maintains a strong working knowledge of the field of student affairs and student services.
• Coordinates student activities at the local, state, and national levels.
• Oversees student professional organizations.
• Demonstrates high ethical and professional standards.
• Create, modify, and teach material from the approved curriculum.
• Lead faculty efforts in maintaining discipline currency.
• Lead faculty efforts in assuring quality and effectiveness in content and pedagogy.
• Assists faculty in developing curriculum proposals.
• Assists with instructional program planning for essential curricular components.
• Coordinate accreditation compliance in accordance with regulatory body policy.
• Participates in course planning by reviewing course enrollment patterns.
• Monitors changes to university academic and administrative policies.
• Monitor, ensure compliance, and advise on matters regarding all required certifications and licenses.
• Provides information and advice regarding administrative issues related to curriculum changes, policies, and procedures.
• Manages ARC-PA Continuing Accreditation Process.
• Participates in departmental meetings and university committees.
• Participates in state and national PA organizations.
• Practices clinically in area of expertise.
• Other duties as assigned by the Department Chair and/or Dean.
• Foster a Christian worldview among faculty and students.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

• Master's degree from a PA program accredited by ARC-PA and a regionally accredited university; terminal degree preferred
• Current NCCPA certification; VA state PA license preferred
• 5 years of clinical experience in a PA care specialty
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in PA education
• Five plus years experience in education leadership, clinical leadership, and demonstrated skill in program management
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Have regional affiliations and knowledge of the local medical community
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail
• Skillful problem-solving capabilities
• Demonstrated strength in managing a team
• Proven success working with all levels of management