Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences invites applications for the inaugural Department Chair / Program Director for the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology, an exciting opportunity to shape and lead a new doctoral program within the College of Health Sciences. This founding leadership role offers a unique chance to build a program grounded in clinical excellence, interprofessional collaboration, and innovative training for the next generation of psychologists.
Reporting to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, the PsyD Chair will provide strategic and operational leadership for the program, including curriculum development, program assessment, faculty engagement, and student mentorship. The Chair will guide the program’s growth and long-term success by stewarding faculty resources, managing the program budget, and ensuring both the educational quality and financial sustainability of the program. As a key academic leader, the PsyD Chair will represent the program within the College and across the University while helping position Des Moines University as a leader in graduate psychology education.
What you’ll do:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the PsyD program, including program administration, strategic planning, faculty supervision, and continuous program assessment.
- Lead accreditation and quality assurance efforts, including preparation of the inaugural accreditation self-study, oversight of site visits, completion of APA annual reports, and management of ongoing reaccreditation processes.
- Oversee curriculum design and academic delivery, ensuring course offerings, student assessments, and competency development align with APA standards and the program’s practitioner–scholar model.
- Recruit, mentor, and supervise faculty, staff, and students, while participating in admissions, student advising, performance monitoring, and academic remediation when needed.
- Advance scholarship and external partnerships, maintaining an active research agenda, mentoring student research, and building relationships with clinical practicum sites to support high-quality training opportunities.
What we are looking for:
- Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology) or closely related field in health service psychology
- Minimum of 3 years teaching experience in higher education
- PhD or PsyD in psychology, must have been awarded by an APA-accredited program
- Candidates must be licensed as a psychologist in Iowa or eligible for Iowa licensure, and must maintain an active Iowa psychologist license while on faculty at Des Moines University.
- Familiar with national and regional trends in PsyD education, APA accreditation, and psychology practice.
- Demonstrated accomplishments in scholarly activities.
Advanced Candidate Qualifications
- 5 years teaching experience in higher education, preferred
- Academic experience and rank as a senior faculty, at the level of Associate or Full Professor, strongly preferred
- Prior experience as a Director or Associate Director of Clinical Training or other academic leadership roles, strongly preferred.
- Experience in administration at the department level and extensive clinical and assessment experience, highly desirable.
*To see the full job description go to Position Description at the bottom of this posting.
Total Rewards:
Our employees are what make DMU special, so we treat them well! Our Total Rewards reflect this commitment. Qualified faculty and staff enjoy a generous employer contribution towards the medical plan, 10% retirement match, flexible work arrangements, community service time, tuition assistance, professional development funding, and access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle. Visit www.dmu.edu/employment to learn more about our benefits.
DMU is proud to offer employees generous benefits and perks, paid time off, free use of wellness facilities, and a host of employee engagement and recognition programs throughout the year.
About:
Founded in 1898, Des Moines University is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising three colleges– College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and College of Health Sciences – offering ten graduate degree programs.
Our mission is to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.
It is an exciting time to join DMU. In 2023, we relocated our primary academic and operational offices to a new 88-acre campus in West Des Moines, Iowa, while maintaining an active clinic on our former campus. This state-of-the-art campus includes technology-rich, flexible education spaces that support innovative teaching methods and connect faculty and students across all of our programs. Our new research facilities include a vibrant and spacious open laboratory, designed to foster collaboration and innovation.
DMU enhances our community’s quality of life by educating outstanding health professionals and leaders; providing expert, compassionate patient care; serving the community in diverse ways; and stimulating the central Iowa community.
At DMU you will make a meaningful contribution to the dynamic future of Medicine and Health Sciences by supporting a diverse community of faculty and staff with programs and services across the employee lifecycle.
Required Documents:
Resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references required at time of online submission. Apply at www.dmu.edu/employment.
Department: PsyD
Status: Exempt
Position Description