Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The Department of Physical Therapy at Western Carolina University (WCU) invites applications for a 9-month tenure track or fixed-term position at the assistant professor level. The projected begin work date is January 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Primary teaching responsibilities include instruction in the entry-level DPT program with the ability to team teach in one or more courses that could include the professional development series, the musculoskeletal series, or potentially other content areas, and provide clinical instruction and leadership in the MAPHealth pro-bono clinic.

Additional responsibilities will include academic, service, advising, and scholarly activity consistent with accreditation standards and the mission and philosophy of the Department of Physical Therapy. Candidates for the tenure track position must have an earned academic doctorate, and those with less than one year to completion of an academic doctorate will be fully considered. Candidates for the fixed-term position must have a clinical doctorate in physical therapy from an accredited institution and a current ABPTS Board certification or other residency/fellowship experience. All candidates must have sufficient expertise to teach in their content area and must be licensed to practice physical therapy in the state of North Carolina at the time of hire.

The WCU physical therapy program fosters a learner-centered environment where faculty place learner success first and highly value diversity, inclusive excellence, and interprofessional teamwork. The program enjoys a highly dynamic, positive work/learning environment with extensive support for faculty development and excellent opportunities for collaborative teaching, service, and research. Salary and rank are commensurate with academic qualifications and experience.

The program has students and faculty in both Asheville and Cullowhee with custom designed laboratories and excellent instructional technology resources that support synchronous audio-video delivery between locations. The primary location associated with this position is negotiable. The College of Health and Human Sciences is on the main campus in Cullowhee and the Biltmore Park instructional site is 50 miles away in Asheville. The Biltmore Park instructional site houses several graduate programs including physical therapy, nursing, and social work. All faculty have primary assignments but teach in both locations at times to help foster strong relationships with students.

To be considered, you must apply online. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Attach a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts and a list of references (include complete contact information with phone numbers).

If you have questions or seek additional information, contact John Carzoli, Search Committee Chair, Department of Physical Therapy, 28 Schenck Parkway #102D, Asheville, NC 28803, jacarzoli@wcu.edu

For more information about the program and the university, please visit our web site at pt.wcu.edu.

*All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state 'Degree Awarded,' 'Degree Conferred,' or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your masters degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The masters degree transcript must have a notation such as 'Degree Awarded,' 'Degree Conferred,' or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.