Assistant Program Director - FNP Program

Aspen Group, Inc is an education technology holding company that leverages its infrastructure and expertise to allow its two universities, Aspen University and United States University, to deliver on the vision of making college affordable and accessible.

United States University is looking for an Assistant Program Director - FNP Program to join the College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

The Assistant Program Director supports the Director in providing leadership, operational and management oversight, and day-to-day administrative functions for designated CONHS programs, including but not limited to FNP program.

This position is responsible for assisting with planning, organizing, and supervising the academic programs, including developing and modeling effective teaching practices; ensuring fulfillment of educational goals and objectives; supporting program evaluation and outcomes; and facilitating the recruitment, supervision, and evaluation of program faculty.

The Assistant Program Director is expected to contribute to achieving both program learning outcomes and the broader mission of the College. Responsibilities include mentoring, motivating, and advising students; monitoring didactic, clinical (if applicable), and immersion experiences; evaluating student performance; and guiding students toward successful program completion. Teaching load will be flexible and based on program needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide academic leadership and guidance to appointed CONHS programs, including oversight of assessment, evaluation, student retention and attrition, program completion rates, and strategic planning.
• Monitor and address student concerns related to didactic and clinical experiences in collaboration with the Office of Field Experience.
• Conduct audits and internal communications, as necessary.
• Provide oversight for full-time and adjunct faculty assigned to designated programs.
• Facilitate effective learning and development through regular and substantive interaction with students.
• Participate in curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation for assigned academic programs.
• Monitor adequacy and quality of instructional and learning components across the designated programs.
• Lead continuous program improvement efforts, including contributions to educational effectiveness initiatives (e.g., systematic evaluation, academic program review, and annual student learning assessments).
• Guide curriculum enhancement to ensure alignment with student needs, professional standards, and learning objectives.
• Support student preparation for national licensure or certification exams where applicable and monitor pass rates.
• Engage in outreach efforts to prospective students and the broader community.
• Provide direction and support to program faculty, ensuring adherence to university, college, and program-specific policies and standards.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, Dean, and Assistant/Associate Deans in selecting and support of adjunct and part-time clinical faculty.
• Participate in Shared Governance, including the development and dissemination of program-specific policies and procedures that align with institutional expectations and promote academic excellence.
• Participate in at least CONHS committee
• Support maintenance of applicable programmatic accreditations and certifications.
• Foster a climate of academic creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
• Prepare self-study documents and support compliance with accreditation, licensure, and regulatory requirements.
• Support the management and development of faculty
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional Responsibilities:

• Domain One: Teaching and Advising – per Faculty Handbook –: Assistant Program Director may require teaching one course per term.
• Domain Two: Governance – per Faculty Handbook
• Domain Four: Professional service - Engage in professional service - Participate in community service and/or in clinical one (1) day a week- required.
• Optional Domains from the Core Faculty Handbook that Core Faculty can choose from one or more of the following domains:
  • Domain Three: Creative Contributions - Engage in creative activities or scholarship.
  • Domain Five: Community Service -Engage in appropriate community service

The above functions are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this job. This is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Position Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Ph.D., DNP in Nursing, or EdD preferred, and minimum of a master's in nursing is required
• Unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice License
• National Certification as an FNP (AANP or ANCC)
• Experience teaching in a graduate program online for a minimum of one year
• Experience with distance learning and online academic technology
• Agreeable to obtain additional RN/APRN licensing as needed.
• Additional licensure as an RN may be required.
• Advanced Practice License and in the state of residence
• Additional advance practice licensure may be required

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work with faculty, staff, and students of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks in a timely manner within a fast-paced environment.
• Broad knowledge of the philosophy and mission of the University.
• Ability to think strategically and prioritize effectively.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills and a prominent level of professional integrity.
• Maintains a positive, helpful, constructive attitude and work relationship with supervisor, university staff, students, and the community.
• Strong time management and organizational skills in a dynamic, constantly changing environment.
• Must be able to think and work both tactically and strategically to provide financial and operational needs to the university's strategic goals.
• Effective analytical problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to work effectively, exhibit a professional manner, and prove constructive working relationships.
• Attention to detail and quality-focused

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• National Certification (ANCC or AANPCB) as a Family Nurse Practitioner required
• Unencumbered compact (multi-state) Registered Nurse (RN) license with Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in any state, or Texas and Georgia single-state RN licenses with an APRN license in any state
• May be required to earn or obtain other state licenses per the request of the FNP program directors (approximately 2-5 per year).
• Other credentials as identified by the Dean or director for the position

Work Environment:

This is a remote position that requires working from home using a university-provided laptop. The role involves regular use of email, video conferencing, and other online tools to communicate and complete tasks. A quiet workspace and a reliable internet connection are essential.

While performing the job duties, the employee is regularly required to sit; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may sometimes be required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and walk a distance of up to 400 meters. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment and physical demands described are representative of those required of an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

At Aspen Group, we embrace diversity, support it, celebrate it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our employees and our community. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Aspen Group is proud to be an equal employment workplace.