Widener University is seeking a Director of Clinical Education (DCE) for the Institute for Speech-Language Pathology in the College of Health & Human Services. Reporting to the Institute Director, this is a 12-month, full-time non-tenure track appointment with an administrative clinical education role. The Director’s role bridging academia and practice involves managing clinical placements (internships/externships), ensuring compliance with ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) and CAA (Council on Academic Accreditation) standards, supervising clinical faculty, and mentoring student clinicians to ensure high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) for the Institute for Speech-Language Pathology in the College of Health & Human Services is a full‑time, 12‑month, non‑tenure‑track faculty position responsible for leading and managing all aspects of clinical education within the Speech-Language Pathology curriculum. Reporting to the Institute Director, the DCE provides strategic oversight, ensures operational excellence, and upholds full compliance with accreditation standards across the clinical education program.
This role builds and sustains strong partnerships with clinical sites, supports students and faculty throughout all phases of the clinical experience, and drives continuous quality improvement. Key responsibilities include administration of clinical education, data management and reporting, clinical site and faculty development, student placement and readiness, and ongoing evaluation of clinical education processes.
As a faculty member, the DCE teaches clinical coursework, engages in scholarship or professional development consistent with non‑tenure‑track expectations, and contributes service to the university, community, and profession. Administratively, the DCE oversees all components of the clinical education program including the on‑campus SLP Clinic ensuring alignment with accreditation requirements and best practices.
Success in this position requires exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, strong organizational and analytical abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and proficiency with clinical education management systems.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential Duties (Administrative Responsibilities):
Clinical Education Program Oversight
- Oversee both the clinical externship and campus clinic internship education program to ensure compliance with accreditation standards.
Clinical Site and Faculty Relations
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with clinical education sites.
- Secure and manage affiliation agreements with clinical sites.
- Conduct site visits as required by accreditation standards.
- Ensure clinical sites have qualified faculty and provide guidance and support as needed.
- Communicate program activities, updates, and relevant information to clinical sites.
- Establish mechanisms for regular evaluation of clinical faculty and sites through student feedback and/or site visits to ensure high-quality experiences.
Student Placement and Support
- Follow all federal and state transportation regulations.
- Manage student selection and placement for clinical experiences.
- Prepare students for the logistics and expectations of clinical education.
- Ensure students meet all compliance requirements prior to placement.
- Maintain ongoing communication with students and clinical faculty to monitor progress and performance.
- Collaborate with clinical faculty in evaluating student performance.
- Address and resolve student, faculty, or site challenges promptly and effectively.
Curriculum & Clinical Experience Data Management and Reporting
- Maintain current clinical syllabi and ensure accessibility for all students and clinical faculty.
- Collect, compile, and report clinical education data required for program assessment and accreditation.
- Maintain relevant sections of the student and clinical handbooks to ensure comprehensive policies aligned with HIPAA, FERPA, and accreditation standards.
- Utilize the clinical education management system to streamline and support essential operational processes, including:
- Maintaining and organizing affiliation agreements.
- Monitoring and documenting student compliance requirements.
- Coordinating and managing student clinical placements.
- Facilitating communication with supervising clinical faculty.
- Overseeing time sheet submission, tracking, and evaluation workflows.
Campus Clinic and Professional Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the Institute Program Director, provide oversight for the supervisors participating in the on-campus SLP clinic.
- Provide oversight for the student leaders supporting the administrative aspects of the on-campus SLP clinic.
- Provide mentorship in the Grand Rounds discussion of interprofessional pro bono clinic client cases.
- Participate in the regional consortium related to professional clinical education.
Secondary Responsibilities (Faculty Responsibilities):
Service
- Participate in student recruitment, admissions, and retention activities.
- Participate in service to the university, the college, the unit, the community, and the profession.
Scholarship
- Engage in scholarship and/or professional development consistent with non-tenure track expectations.
Teaching
- Participate in teaching of relevant clinical courses with a 50% course workload expectation as negotiated with the Institute Program Director.
- Demonstrate competency in teaching as evidenced by supervisor, peer, and student evaluations.
- Participate in curriculum development.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of the Institute for Speech-Language Pathology and Widener University.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
Required:
- Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited college or university.
- Certification as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CCC-SLP).
- Licensed or eligible for license in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Minimum 5 years of clinical experience.
- Minimum 3 years teaching and/or clinical supervision experience.
Preferred:
- 7+ years of clinical experience.
- 5+ years of teaching and/or clinical supervision experience.
- Experience with bilingual or multilingual clinical service delivery.
- Experience teaching in an academic setting.
- Experience with accreditation.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout classrooms and campus spaces for extended periods.
- Capacity to lift and transport instructional materials or supplies weighing up to 20 lbs.
- Availability to support students by phone, email, or other communication channels during evenings and weekends as needed.
- Willingness to travel for in‑person meetings with students, clinical partners, and faculty when required and when budget permits.
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.
U.S. work authorization is required.
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
