Job Description

Pepperdine University School of Physician Assistant Studies invites applications for Adjunct Faculty appointments to support its developing* graduate Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program. Adjunct faculty play a vital role in preparing future Physician Assistants (PA) through high-quality instructional experiences that support student learning, clinical reasoning, professional development, and readiness for clinical practice.

The MSPAS Program seeks candidates who are committed to excellence in PA education and student development.

Adjunct Faculty Responsibilities:

Adjunct faculty may be assigned instructional responsibilities based on program needs and individual qualifications. Responsibilities may include:

• Provide instruction to PA students.
• Supporting student achievement of course learning outcomes and program competencies. Facilitate the development of clinical reasoning, professional identity, and safe patient care practices.
• Participating in lectures, laboratory instruction, clinical skills instruction, small-group facilitation, case-based learning, simulation activities, OSCEs, practical assessments, or other instructional activities as assigned.
• Evaluate student performance using established rubrics, evaluation tools and program standards.
• Participating in program committees as assigned.
• Maintain compliance with Program and University policies.
• Communicate regularly with program faculty and leadership to support student success.
• Uphold a supportive, structured, and professional learning environment.

Faculty Expectations

Adjunct Faculty are expected to:

• Be present for all assigned instructional responsibilities.
• Prepare for assigned teaching activities in advance.
• Coordinate any unforeseen absences in advance with course leadership, with appropriate coverage to maintain uninterrupted student instruction.
• Communicate student concerns, performance issues, or professionalism concerns to course leadership in a timely manner.
  Course directors maintain scheduled office hours.
• Model professional and ethical behavior consistent with the expectations of the PA Program and Pepperdine University.

Acceptance of an Adjunct Faculty appointment signifies a commitment to fulfill assigned instructional responsibilities. Failure to meet these expectations may result in reassignment or withdrawal of the appointment.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or doctoral degree from a nationally accredited college or university.
• Minimum of one year of clinical or professional experience.
• Professional licensure, certification, or specialty certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in teaching, precepting, or mentoring PA students or other health professions students.
• Clinical expertise aligned with PA program instructional needs, such as anatomy, biomedical science, clinical medicine, clinical reasoning, pharmacology, medical-surgical content, behavioral and mental health, women’s health, pediatrics, emergency medicine, procedural skills, or other areas of PA practice.
• Experience with simulation, skills instruction, OSCEs, practical assessments, or clinical evaluation tools.
• Experience supporting student learning in a structured academic or clinical education environment.

The ideal candidates will:

• Demonstrate a commitment to student-centered teaching and mentorship.
• Model professionalism, ethical behavior, humility, service, and respect.
• Engage effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
• Support the mission and values of Pepperdine University and the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.

Application Instructions

Applications should include:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Cover Letter addressing:

• Clinical, professional, teaching, or subject matter experience
• Areas of clinical or subject matter expertise

Questions about the application process can be directed to:

Dr. Amy Bronson (amy.bronson@pepperdine.edu)
Founding Dean, School of Physician Assistant Studies

Program Director, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 902633

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening to include official transcripts. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is an Adjunct, Exempt position with multiple openings. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling, as-needed basis. Appointments vary based on enrollment, curricular needs, course assignments, and program requirements.

Expected Pay Range: $2,370 per unit

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level.

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 unlawful discrimination and harassment. 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 that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and 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 who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.

*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.

If the MSPAS Program does not achieve Accreditation - Provisional status, the program will not commence, and students will not matriculate. Accepted students will be refunded for any deposits or tuition paid. Application fees are not refundable.

The MSPAS Program at Pepperdine University has been approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 unlawful discrimination and harassment. 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 that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and 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 who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.