Principal Faculty - Assistant Teaching Professor / Assistant Professor

Assistant Teaching Professor/Assistant Professor - Southern Miss PA Program

The University of Southern Mississippi invites applicants for a full-time, twelve-month, teaching-track or tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Teaching Professor or Assistant Professor in the Physician Assistant program in the School of Health Professions, College of Nursing & Health Professions to begin in September 2026.

Position Description: This twelve-month position requires teaching graduate courses in the Physician Assistant Studies MSM degree program, developing a programmatic line of research (if tenure-track), and providing service to the school, college, university and professional organizations. This is a developing program in the initial provisional accreditation review process and anticipates starting its first student cohort in January 2027.

Duties and Responsibilities: (not all-inclusive)

1. Teaching graduate students in a variety of courses and labs in the Physician Assistant program. Teaching includes preparation of course materials such as syllabi, lectures, assignments, assessments, and evaluation of students' class work. Examples include traditional lectures, lab demonstrations, OSCEs, simulations, interprofessional activities, and assessments of clinical and technical skills.

2. Course coordination as assigned commensurate with areas of clinical expertise to include course administration, learning management system activities (Canvas), administering and proctoring exams, tracking grades, formulating remediation plans, and administering course and instructor evaluations.

3. Provide advisement, mentorship, and academic counseling for students assigned. This includes monitoring student academic and professional progress through program completion.

4. Attend and participate in all program meetings, activities, ceremonies, retreats, and events.

5. Membership on program committees including curriculum, admissions, student progress, advisory board, and program evaluation committees.

6. Participate in ongoing program evaluation activities to include data collection and analysis, program self-study, accreditation compliance, and assisting with report preparation.

7. Engage in personal and professional development activities related to teaching, clinical knowledge and skills, and evidence-based practice.

8. Advocate for the profession and the USM PA program at academic, professional, and social functions.

9. Participate in other service opportunities that impact the university community (including the program, school, college, and university), professional community, and local community.

10. Other appropriate duties, activities, and projects assigned by the Program Director, School Director or College Dean.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Education: must have a master's degree (doctorate preferred) from an accredited US Institution of Higher Learning

a. PA applicants must have graduated from an ARC-PA accredited PA program

b. MD or DO applicants must have graduated from a US regionally-accredited medical school

c. Other health professionals or content specialists must have graduated from a US regionally-accredited professional school

2. Certification & Licensure:

a. PA applicants must have current (or emeritus) NCCPA certification and must have active (or be eligible for) licensure in Mississippi

b. MD or DO applicants must have current (or previous) board specialty certification and must have active (or be eligible for) licensure in Mississippi

c. Other health professionals must have current certification in their specialty

3. Experience:

a. PA applicants must have at least 3 years of clinical practice experience as a PA

b. MD or DO applicants must have completed residency and have at least 3 years of clinical practice experience as an MD or DO

c. Other health professionals must have at least 3 years of clinical experience in their specialty

d. Other content specialists must have at least 3 years of professional experience in their area of specialization

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Professional work experience as a faculty member in a PA program (2 or more years preferred).

2. Experience in teaching in the traditional classroom environment or clinical teaching as a preceptor.

3. Experience as a Director (or Associate Director) of Didactic Education, Director (or Associate Director) of Clinical Education, or Clinical Coordinator.

4. Experience with the initial or continuing accreditation of PA or other health profession degree programs.

5. Evidence of strong organizational, administrative, and team-based operational skills.

6. Experience in working or engaging with national professional organizations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Specialized clinical knowledge in the PA profession as demonstrated by graduate level coursework or other professional experience is required.

2. Candidates must possess qualities of effective teaching and leadership potential.

3. Candidates must have the ability to deliver accurate, concise and quality communication (verbal and written) in a timely manner.

4. Candidates should have the ability to work collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams.

Location: The program and position are in Long Beach, Mississippi.

Application Instructions: To ensure full consideration, complete application materials should be submitted to the Southern Miss website at https://jobs.usm.edu (job posting #5257). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Application materials should include:

• Cover letter summarizing academic preparation and professional experience
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• Official transcripts of all graduate level coursework
• List of three (3) academic and/or professional references (no letters required)  

To ensure full consideration, complete application materials should be submitted by June 1st, 2026.

Reviews will continue until the position is filled.

All application-related questions should be directed to Human Resources. Please contact the Program Director, Dr. Daniel Watkins (daniel.watkins@usm.edu), with any job-related questions.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.