Founding Program Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

Position Overview: The NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences (NYPISHS) at Iona University is seeking a visionary and dynamic individual to serve as the Founding Program Director of our new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program located on the Bronxville campus.  This position is a 12-month tenure or clinical track position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with rank and salary commensurate with credentials and experience and will report to the Dean of NYPISHS.  This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of physical therapy education by developing a cutting-edge curriculum, recruiting and hiring exceptional faculty and staff, and ensuring compliance with CAPTE accreditation standards. The Founding Program Director will also collaborate closely with other allied health programs at Iona University, including Occupational Therapy, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy as well as Nursing programs to foster an integrated and interprofessional approach to healthcare education. Candidates should be comfortable working in a highly interactive and collaborative teaching/learning environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Development: Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive DPT curriculum that meets CAPTE accreditation standards and prepares students for successful careers in physical therapy.
• Faculty and Staff Recruitment: Recruit, hire, and mentor a diverse and talented team of faculty and staff dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and clinical practice.
• Accreditation Compliance: Ensure the program meets all CAPTE accreditation requirements, including the preparation and submission of necessary documentation and reports.
• Leadership and Administration: Provide strategic leadership planning and administrative oversight for the DPT program, including budget management, resource allocation, and program evaluation. Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior. 
• Teaching and Mentorship: Teach courses within the DPT program and provide mentorship to faculty and students, fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
• Interprofessional Collaboration: Work closely with allied health programs in NYPISHS to promote interprofessional education and collaborative practice among students and faculty.
• Student recruitment and retention: Work with Graduate Director of Admissions to recruit students and work with faculty and staff in the program on retention initiatives
• Community Engagement: Represent the Physical Therapy program within the institution and the broader community, promoting the program's mission and goals.
• Service: Serve as university liaison in community and/or professional activities and organizations. 
• Fulfill other duties and responsibilities as requested by the Dean, School of the New York Presbyterian Iona School of Health Science. 
• Ability to fully understand and respect the culture of Iona University, its Mission and the heritage of the Christian Brothers, as well as the ability to establish strong collaborative relationships with students, faculty and staff. 

Required Qualifications:

• Hold, or be eligible for, an active, unrestricted PT license in NY.
• Minimum of an academic doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DSc) from an accredited university
• Minimum of 6 years of full-time higher education experience AND a minimum of 3 years full-time experience as a core faculty member in a CAPTE-accredited entry-level physical therapy program.
• Administrative and leadership management experience to be Chair and Founding Director of DPT program and department.
• Experience in curriculum development, program assessment, evaluation and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of CAPTE accreditation requirements and experience fiscal management, curriculum development, and faculty evaluation.
• Professional development and/or education in all of the following: educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation, and outcome assessment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to academic and clinical excellence, innovation, and student success.

Preferred qualifications:

• History of research/scholarship in PT including peer-reviewed publications and presentations
• Understanding of the field’s current trends and challenges
• Minimum of 3-years in a leadership role in academic and clinical leadership
• Has at least 5-years of clinical physical therapy practice experience.

Application Process: 

Interested candidates should submit

1. Cover letter that outlines qualifications and credentials, teaching experience and accomplishments,
2. Curriculum vitae, and
3. Contact information (email, phone number) for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

About Iona University/EEO language

Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top colleges for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide.

Iona offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off. For more information on our benefits and working at Iona visit the Human Resources section of our website.

Iona University values and celebrates diversity and is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our employees and does not tolerate discrimination based on any legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws. As an equal opportunity employer, Iona University encourages applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.