What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Teaching Professor / Assistant Professor - Physician Assistant Studies position at The University of Southern Mississippi?
The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Teaching Professor / Assistant Professor - Physician Assistant Studies.
Position Details Location Gulf Park
730 East Beach Boulevard
Long Beach, Mississippi, 39560
United States Division Physicians Assistant Program Position Type Faculty Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded No Pay Grade
Generic Grade
Posting Close Date Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
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.
Please contact Dr. Daniel Watkins at: daniel.watkins@usm.edu with any questions.
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).
Job Summary
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.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
Education: must have a master’s degree (doctorate preferred) from an accredited US Institution of Higher Learning
PA applicants must have graduated from an ARC-PA accredited PA program
MD or DO applicants must have graduated from a US regionally-accredited medical school
Other health professionals or content specialists must have graduated from a US regional accredited professional school
Certification & Licensure
PA applicants must have current (or emeritus) NCCPA certification and must have active (or be eligible for) licensure in Mississippi
MD or DO applicants must have current (or previous) board specialty certification and must have active (or be eligible for) licensure in Mississippi
Other health professionals must have current (or be eligible for) certification and licensure in Mississippi (if required for practice by the specialty)
Experience
PA applicants must have at least 3 years of clinical practice experience as a PA
MD or DO applicants must have completed residency and have at least 3 years of clinical practice experience as an MD or DO
Other health professionals must have at least 3 years of clinical experience in their specialty
Other content specialists must have at least 3 years of professional experience in their area of specialization.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Professional work experience as a faculty member in a PA program (2 or more years preferred).
Experience in teaching in the traditional classroom environment or clinical teaching as a preceptor.
Experience as a Director (or Associate Director) of Didactic Education, Director (or Associate Director) of Clinical Education, or Clinical Coordinator.
Experience with the initial or continuing accreditation of PA or other health profession degree programs.
Evidence of strong organizational, administrative, and team-based operational skills.
Experience in working or engaging with national professional organizations.
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.
Position Details Location Gulf Park
730 East Beach Boulevard
Long Beach, Mississippi, 39560
United States Division Physicians Assistant Program Position Type Faculty Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded No Pay Grade
Generic Grade
Posting Close Date Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
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.
Please contact Dr. Daniel Watkins at: daniel.watkins@usm.edu with any questions.
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).
Job Summary
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.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- Provide advisement, mentorship, and academic counseling for students assigned. This includes monitoring student academic and professional progress through program completion.
- Attend and participate in all program meetings, activities, ceremonies, retreats, and events.
- Membership on program committees including curriculum, admissions, student progress, advisory board, and program evaluation committees.
- Participate in ongoing program evaluation activities to include data collection and analysis, program self-study, accreditation compliance, and assisting with report preparation.
- Engage in personal and professional development activities related to teaching, clinical knowledge and skills, and evidence-based practice.
- Advocate for the profession and the USM PA program at academic, professional, and social functions.
- Participate in other service opportunities that impact the university community (including the program, school, college, and university), professional community, and local community.
- Other appropriate duties, activities, and projects assigned by the Program Director, School Director or College Dean.
Education: must have a master’s degree (doctorate preferred) from an accredited US Institution of Higher Learning
PA applicants must have graduated from an ARC-PA accredited PA program
MD or DO applicants must have graduated from a US regionally-accredited medical school
Other health professionals or content specialists must have graduated from a US regional accredited professional school
Certification & Licensure
PA applicants must have current (or emeritus) NCCPA certification and must have active (or be eligible for) licensure in Mississippi
MD or DO applicants must have current (or previous) board specialty certification and must have active (or be eligible for) licensure in Mississippi
Other health professionals must have current (or be eligible for) certification and licensure in Mississippi (if required for practice by the specialty)
Experience
PA applicants must have at least 3 years of clinical practice experience as a PA
MD or DO applicants must have completed residency and have at least 3 years of clinical practice experience as an MD or DO
Other health professionals must have at least 3 years of clinical experience in their specialty
Other content specialists must have at least 3 years of professional experience in their area of specialization.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Specialized clinical knowledge in the PA profession as demonstrated by graduate level coursework or other professional experience is required.
- Candidates must possess qualities of effective teaching and leadership potential.
- Candidates must have the ability to deliver accurate, concise and quality communication (verbal and written) in a timely manner.
- Candidates should have the ability to work collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams.
Professional work experience as a faculty member in a PA program (2 or more years preferred).
Experience in teaching in the traditional classroom environment or clinical teaching as a preceptor.
Experience as a Director (or Associate Director) of Didactic Education, Director (or Associate Director) of Clinical Education, or Clinical Coordinator.
Experience with the initial or continuing accreditation of PA or other health profession degree programs.
Evidence of strong organizational, administrative, and team-based operational skills.
Experience in working or engaging with national professional organizations.
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.