Program Director — Doctor of Physical Therapy

School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is searching for an experienced physical therapy faculty member at the level of Associate or Full Professor who desires a leadership role to serve as the next program director for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

NIU is preparing to bolster the current DPT program by growing the faculty team and expanding interdisciplinary studies in a new Health Informatics Technology Center. The ideal candidate is prepared to lead the next generation of physical therapists and contribute to the growth of the physical therapy profession by pursuing excellence and innovation.

Join the faculty at NIU to contribute to a caring, committed and collaborative professional environment that focuses on promoting excellence and engagement in teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and outreach and service.

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About the Department

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Northern Illinois University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and is as part of the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Students in the DPT program learn from knowledgeable and supportive faculty, take comprehensive courses and gain hands-on clinical experiences in a multidisciplinary clinic that is a premier destination for patients in the community.

The program, school, college and university are committed to educating tomorrow's highly specialized caregivers. As a whole NIU is dedicated to developing a unifying and shared vision for academic excellence, strengthening and supporting a culture of inclusive excellence, enhancing community engagement and resource development, and fostering a culture of collaboration and integrity.


About NIU

Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university, with expertise that benefits its region and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields, including the sciences, humanities, arts, business, engineering, education, health and law. Through its main campus in DeKalb, Illinois, and education centers for students and working professionals in Chicago, Naperville, Oregon and Rockford, NIU offers more than 100 courses of study while serving a diverse and international student body.

Vision, Mission and Core Values

Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach.

The mission of Northern Illinois University is to empower students through educational excellence and experiential learning as we pursue knowledge, share our research and artistry, and engage communities for the benefit of the region, state, nation and world.

In pursuing our vision and fulfilling our mission, we value and practice:

  • Curiosity and creativity.
    • We provide our students active learning experiences.
    • We champion innovation.
    • We commit our resources to supporting students, faculty and staff in their research, artistry and professional development.
  • Equity and inclusion.
    • We seek and are strengthened by the diverse perspectives and experiences of our university community members.
    • We use an inclusive decision-making process.
    • We appreciate and respect every member of our community.
  • Ethics and integrity.
    • We prepare our students to become global leaders who work to build a better society.
    • We model ethical behavior in and out of the classroom.
    • We are transparent and accountable to our stakeholders.
  • Service and stewardship.
    • We serve society and confront local, national and global challenges through collaborations that improve our learning, teaching and research.
    • We make accessible the knowledge and resources we create.
    • We promote our students' success through advising and mentoring.

Student Profile

Total Student Enrollment

15,649 (Fall 2022)

  • Undergraduate: 11,429
  • Graduate: 3,908
  • College of Law: 312

Average Student Age

  • Undergraduate: 22
  • Graduate: 33

Male/Female Categories

  • Undergraduate: 47% male; 53% female
  • Graduate: 40% male; 60% female 

International Students

966 international students from 76 different countries

Ethnic/Racial Categories–Undergraduate (Fall 2022)

  • White: 46.52%
  • Latinx: 20.22%
  • Black: 17.27%
  • Other: 6.76%
  • Asian: 6.12%
  • International: 4.58%
  • Two or more races: 2.81%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native: 0.22%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.06%

Average High School GPA (Fall 2022)

Average high school GPA of new freshmen: 3.42
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