Reporting to the Associate Dean/Executive Director, the Director of Graduate Programs is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the university’s graduate programs, including admissions, processing of graduate applications, curriculum, advising, and program evaluation, while ensuring programs align with the university’s strategic goals and mission.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (include but are not limited to)
Essential Duties
- Program Administration
- Oversee and manage all aspects of the graduate and undergraduate programs, including curriculum development, course offerings, and program policies.
- Maintain and update the student and faculty policies and procedures/handbooks and the GICLS office policies and procedures.
- Research and develop new degree concentrations, including researching the market need, meet with advisors to explore new concentration. Develop advisory boards, set meetings, create curriculum, hire faculty, explore textbooks, create course titles and descriptions, work with other University offices to create course numbers, add new courses to all necessary locations, catalogs, website.
- Review curriculum, facilitate curriculum meetings with faculty to discuss content updates, books, practical skills assignments, exams, projects. Prepared and continuously update spreadsheet grid of all courses showing a snapshot comparison of material covered and assignments.
- Accreditation
- Assist with maintaining and coordination of the American Bar Association, Middle States, and Compliance Certification Board policies and procedures, preparation of reports, portfolios, and other necessary materials for accreditation.
- Admissions/Recruiting/Student Services, Support & Activities
- Review students’ applications for admission (includes reviewing application, personal statement, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and monitoring the progress of student applications and petitions).
- Act as the liaison among the graduate students, program faculty, and the university and Graduate School administration to advise students on academic matters, program planning, and career paths.
- Analyze data from surveys to establish overview of student backgrounds, improve program, obtain externship opportunities, and use data for promotional purposes where applicable.
- Assist with coordinating student activities and attendance at activities.
- Faculty Engagement
- Chair graduate faculty meetings, including preparing agendas and writing minutes.
- Work with faculty to maintain the academic quality of courses and curricula.
- Advocate for graduate education and the importance of training future university teachers.
- Marketing and Outreach
- Assist in the creation of marketing initiatives to increase awareness of the programs.
- Social Media
- Develop and manage Social Media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.).
- Revenue, Budget and Resource Management
- Prepare and maintain budgets for program operations.
- Maintain student enrollment projections and actual budgets to help secure and manage program funding.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
- Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- At least 5-7 years of progressive experience in program management, advising, or administration.
- Tenure/tenure-track faculty member whenever possible.
- Excellent communication skills; written and verbal which may involve phone calls, meetings, and written correspondence.
- Extensive experience in teaching and research.
- Experience in developing and implementing graduate programs.
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students.
- Detail-oriented.
Preferred:
- Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- The primary work setting is an office, requiring the ability to sit for extended periods, operate computer equipment, and manage paperwork and data.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.
EOE M/F/V/D
