Job Description

General Information:

Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Chapman University invites applications for a non-tenure track, Assistant or Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Assistant Director of Clinical Education (ADCE) in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, beginning in Spring 2026.

Chapman University is a nationally ranked institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California's most diverse and vibrant regions. The University achieved R2 status in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a distinction held by just 10 percent of all U.S. universities. Our faculty includes academic leaders who excel in research, publishing, and world-class teaching in our 11 schools and colleges, including Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Dedicated to forward-looking, personalized education, we create an environment for unlimited student and faculty achievement. More information about the University and Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences is available at

Continually accredited since 1928, the Department of Physical Therapy has a rich tradition as the oldest, longest continually accredited physical therapy program in the United States. The program is located at the Rinker Health Science campus in Irvine, CA, home to several other accredited graduate health science professional programs, including Pharmacy, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Physician Assistant. The DPT program is distinguished by innovative teaching and research laboratories and classrooms emphasizing inter-professional education, evidence-based practice, health promotion, and injury/disease prevention. The Rinker campus is near numerous health services, medical devices, and biopharmaceutical companies. Chapman University offers traditional undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences and selects pre-professional and graduate programs. The following web link will provide additional information about the Department of Physical Therapy:

Responsibilities:

This position reports to the Department Chair of Physical Therapy.

Faculty Responsibilities:

• Teaching in area of expertise, mentoring physical therapist students, and participating in inter-professional educational experiences and professional/academic service, including maintaining clinical competency, if applicable.
• Teaching may include responsibilities in Clinical Practicum and Clinical Experiences.
  Service to the Department, Crean College, the University, the Community, and the profession.
• Administrative, academic, and service responsibilities consistent with accreditation standards and the mission and philosophy of the Department of Physical Therapy, Chapman University.
• Meet scholarship requirements consistent with CAPTE expectations.

Assistant Director of Clinical Education (ADCE) Responsibilities:

• ADCE works collaboratively with the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) and other members of the Clinical Education team to shape and modify the existing Clinical Education program with an eye toward meeting future needs and responding to evolving trends in physical therapist education and practice, as well as assisting the Program Director in strategic planning; implementing changes based on evolving practice standards; assessment of student learning outcomes and overall programmatic success; and maintenance of programmatic and institutional accreditation, specific to clinical education
• Under the leadership of the DCE, the ADCE will also work collaboratively with faculty and other Clinical Education team (e.g., other ADCEs and Administrative Support Staff) to ensure the successful operation of the clinical education program for our two-cohort curricular model.
• The successful candidate will have joint and specific responsibilities for aspects of the clinical education experiences of students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, including the organization, administration, continuous review and revision of clinical education experiences, and development of new affiliate relationships.

Qualifications:

• The successful candidate will hold a clinical doctorate or earned terminal academic doctorate (PT/D.P.T., P.T./Ph.D., or P.T./EdD), with demonstrated excellence in clinical education and curricular development, as well as the following requirements:

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited physical therapist professional program.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience as a licensed physical therapist.
• A minimum of 1 year of clinical teaching and clinical coordination experience.
• Strong communication, organization, interpersonal, problem-solving, and clinical mentoring skills.
• Able to initiate, administer, and assess clinical education programs.
• Able to work independently and coordinate work with colleagues and peers, especially with colleagues involved with clinical education.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of California.
• Knowledgeable of legislative, regulatory, legal, and practice issues affecting clinical education, students, and the profession of physical therapy.
• Meets faculty requirements as stated in the Evaluative Criteria for Physical Therapist Education Programs.
• Possesses current knowledge and skill in using information databases and computer technology.
• Able to work with students with special needs based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Able to travel within and outside of California, as needed.

Preferred Requirements:

Possess all minimum requirements and:

• Prior experience as an Assistant Director of Clinical Education
• Prior experience as a Site Clinical Coordinator of Clinical Education
• APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor
• Prior teaching experiences in a physical therapist academic program and administrative experience in clinical practice.
• Knowledge of educational, management, and adult learning theory and principles.
• Active in clinical practice, especially as applicable to clinical education.
• Active in local, state, and/or national professional activities.

Application Instructions:
Interested and qualified applicants should submit:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Teaching Statement
4. Reprints of publications or other examples of scholarly work
5. Contact details for three professional references
For inquiries about this position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jocelin Friedman, at jofriedman@chapman.edu.

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that include a substantial contribution toward the cost of medical, vision, and dental insurance, retirement and pension plans, and flexible work arrangements to support work/life balance for our employees.

Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate. The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $125,000 per year. Salary requests outside the published range will not be considered. This position is contingent on final budget approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

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