Position Function:
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the School of Health Professions at Mississippi State University seeks a Department Head & Program Director for the accredited Master of Physician Assistant Studies program on the Meridian Campus.
The Department Head/Program Director will be responsible for working with administration in continuing to build a highly reputable program and ensuring ongoing accreditation.
The Department Head/Program Director will hold a tenured or tenure-track faculty rank commensurate with their experience and qualifications.
The School of Health Professions is dedicated to training the next generation of healthcare leaders through innovative academic programs, research, and hands-on clinical experiences.
Located on the Riley Campus in Meridian, the School serves as a hub for health education and community engagement in Mississippi.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see or for salary ranges.
For salary grade UC, these positions are Unclassified and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Please see our website at
Area of Specialization:
Physician Assistant Studies
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Oversight of curriculum and accreditation compliance
• Work with administration in recruiting, hiring, supervising, and evaluating PA faculty and support staff.
• Lead and maintain the best pedagogical practices among PA programs, including mentoring junior faculty and creating an environment that fosters teamwork and collaboration.
• Reach established enrollment goals through overseeing the student recruitment process and admissions processes, coordinating student acceptance and matriculation processes, and collaborating with administration and staff in marketing and program promotion.
• Serve as a key representative for the university related to health professions programs on the Meridian Campus.
• Oversee the coordination of clinical practicums and arranging host sites.
• Build and maintain close working relationships with local hospital administrators and physicians.
• Participate in research and presentations to build a national reputation for the Physician Assistant Studies program.
• Develop a strategic and operational plan for the program, including budgetary and fiscal management.
• Contribute to broad university service through key committee appointments.
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Doctoral degree in a related discipline
• Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program
• Licensed or eligible to be licensed in Mississippi as a Physician Assistant
• NCC PA certification
• Three years of higher education teaching experience in a faculty appointment
• NCC PA certification
• Leadership experience equivalent to a department head or program director.
• Experience with accreditation, curriculum development, program design, and teaching courses using a learning management system.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Meet qualifications for the rank of Associate or Full Professor with tenure
• 3 years of experience teaching in an accredited PA program
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of Health Professions
Knowledge of Higher Education Program Development
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Office Environment