Description The developing Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Pepperdine University seeks a candidate to serve in a full-time faculty appointment as the Assistant Dean of Academics for its graduate program, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. The assistant dean has primary responsibility to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate the PA curriculum. The assistant dean is a key member of the leadership team, reports directly to the dean, and in collaboration with the dean supports all curricular, assessment, and instructional aspects of the PA Program. Initial duties will also include curriculum development and preparation for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) application and site visit. Other duties include teaching, scholarship, academic advising, service, admissions, and professional activities.
In addition to serving as a principal faculty member, the Assistant Dean of Academics will collaborate with the dean in the improvement and refinement of the curriculum for the PA program, to meet University and program goals, in accordance with the accreditation standards of the ARC-PA.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Provide academic leadership and oversight of the curriculum design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation.
- Develop, maintain, and revise course syllabi and instructional content in accordance with university guidelines and ARC-PA accreditation standards.
- Lead the program's ongoing curriculum evaluation and continuous quality improvement efforts to ensure alignment with the program's mission, the NCCPA blueprint, and current clinical practice standards.
- Coordinate and onboard faculty and guest lecturers, ensuring appropriate content delivery and alignment of instructional content with course objectives.
- Facilitate ongoing communication and collaboration among program faculty to support curricular planning and delivery.
- Collaborate with colleagues in the College of Health Science and external partners to develop and implement interprofessional education experiences.
- Provide student instruction, evaluate student performance, and assure the availability of remedial instruction.
- Advise and mentor PA students by providing academic counseling.
- Participate in student recruitment, application review, and the admissions selection process.
- Contribute to all phases of the program's accreditation and continuous review process, including evaluating the program, development of the self-study, preparation for site visits, and submission of required reports.
- Participate in the development, review and revision of the program's mission statement, goals, and competencies.
- Maintain and update the PA program's handbooks and manuals.
- Serve on program and university committees and engage in service activities as assigned.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the dean.
Located in western Los Angeles County near Ventura County, Pepperdine University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute through their teaching, research, and service to foster academic excellence and cultivate a sense of belonging between the University and surrounding communities.
The salary for this 12-month appointment will range from $140,000 to $160,000 and reflects what Pepperdine reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits.
Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The assistant dean will serve an initial term of three years. Pending successful performance, the appointment can be renewed for successive terms.
Qualifications Required Educational and Experience Qualifications:
- Master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Current or emeritus NCCPA certification
- At least two years of full-time clinical experience at the time of appointment
- Two or more years as a full-time faculty in a PA program.
- Eligibility for state licensure in California
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience with ARC-PA accreditation and/or curriculum development
- Doctoral degree in a related field
- Strong administrative skill-set
- Demonstrated commitment to student success
- An established research agenda, including, but not limited to a record of successful publication, presentation, and grantsmanship
Personal Attributes:
- An active and abiding Christian faith, a sincere commitment to advancing Pepperdine University's Christian mission, and a dedication to the integration of faith and learning.
- Commitment to the highest moral, ethical, and academic standards.
- The skill to develop relationships of trust across a wide range of internal and external constituents.
Application Instructions The complete position description and application instructions are available at Applicants will submit materials at more information, please contact the chair of the search committee:
Dr. Amy Bronson ( )
Founding Dean, School of Physician Assistant Studies
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA
*Pepperdine University, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The MSPAS program anticipates matriculating its first class in September 2027 pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the April 2027 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program's ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
The MSPAS program at Pepperdine University is pending approval by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC)
Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.
Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, staff and members of the Board of Regents represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine reserves the right to seek, hire and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists.
It is the intent of the University to create and promote a diverse workforce consistent with its stated goals and mission.
