Job Description

The Pepperdine University School of Physician Assistant Studies seeks candidates to serve in full-time 12-month clinical or tenure track faculty appointments as principal faculty member for its developing* graduate Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. The principal faculty member has primary responsibility for supporting the design, delivery, and assessment of the curriculum, as well as student evaluation, program self-assessment, and accreditation activities. Other duties include teaching, scholarship, academic advising, service, admissions, and professional activities.

*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 is pending approval by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC).

Duties:

• Provide content expertise on curriculum design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation.
• Develop course syllabi and instructional content in accordance with university guidelines and ARC-PA accreditation standards.
• Provide classroom and small-group instruction aligned with the program learning outcomes.
• Participate in the identification, development, and maintenance of clinical partnerships that support high-quality Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences.
• Participate in 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.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the College of Health Science and external partners to develop and participate in 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 process.
• Support all phases of the program’s accreditation and continuous review process, including evaluating the program, development of the self-study, and preparation for site visits.
• Participate in the development, review and revision of the program’s mission statement, goals, and competencies.
• Support review of the PA program’s handbooks and manuals.
• Serve on program and university committees and engage in service activities.
• Maintain clinical competence through ongoing education or clinical practice as appropriate.
• 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 above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

The two in-person positions will commence on June 1, 2026, at Pepperdine’s Calabasas campus. Applications will be reviewed immediately and remain open until the positions are filled.

Required Qualifications:

• Appointment
  • Clinical Faculty: An earned master’s or doctoral degree from a nationally accredited college or university.
  • Tenure-Track Faculty: Minimum qualifications include a terminal graduate degree (master’s or doctorate). A preferred qualification is an earned academic or clinical doctorate from a nationally accredited college or university.
• Licensure: Current or emeritus NCCPA certification; eligibility for state licensure in California.
• Experience: Two or more years of full-time clinical experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a full-time faculty in a PA program.
• Prior experience with ARC-PA accreditation and/or curriculum development.
• An established research agenda, including, but not limited to a record of successful publication, presentation, and grantsmanship.

Required 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.
• Candidates whose teaching, research, and service foster academic excellence and cultivate a sense of belonging between the University and surrounding communities.

Please submit all application materials at https://apply.interfolio.com/185222

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. 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 a Full-Time, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $115,000 to $140,000 per year

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. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package

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.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials via this link

• A letter of application
• A curriculum vitae
• Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within one year prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
• Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
• Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. 1,500 word maximum length please.
• Scholarly/Creative agenda. The statement should outline applicants’ short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or creative activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. 1,500 word maximum length please.
• Response to Mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. 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. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who richly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.

At Pepperdine, our faith calls us to uphold the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence. To achieve this goal, the Physician Assistant Program’s Mission Statement affirms that all our pursuits are grounded in a context of upholding Christian values. Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian missions of Pepperdine University and the Physician Assistant Program and address the following areas in their response.

• A consistent pattern of support for generally accepted Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
• Active participation in a community of faith.
• Either current practice or vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom and clinical practice.

For more information, please contact the chairperson of the search committee:

Dr. Amy Bronson (amy.bronson@pepperdine.edu)
Founding Dean, School of Physician Assistant Studies
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 902633

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.