Physical Therapy AssistantAssociate Professor

California State University Fresno
College of Health and Human Services
Department of Physical Therapy
Fresno State DPT program

Physical Therapy Assistant or Associate Professor

Tenure Track

Fall 2026

The Department of Physical Therapy at California State University Fresno invites applications for a full-time 10-month tenure-track faculty position. The successful candidate will teach students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program conduct clinical and/or applied research and engage in service-related activities. Specific teaching and research assignments will be based on the departments needs and the individuals expertise.

A terminal doctoral degree (Ph.D. Ed.D. or DSc) is preferred though candidates holding a DPT with ABPTS specialization will also be given full consideration. Areas of priority include: Orthopedic Neurologic Cardiopulmonary Acute Care Pediatrics Prosthetics and Orthotics Gait/Biomechanics/Pathokinesiology and possibly clinical instructing in one of the departments on-campus clinics.

Our Students: Fresno State is recognized as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). The University is committed to inclusive excellence preparing graduates to serve Californias Central Valley and beyond. We seek candidates who are dedicated to teaching mentoring and supporting a diverse student population.

Qualifications:

Required Education

1. Terminal doctoral degree (Ph.D. Ed.D. DSc) or DPT with ABPTS specialization
2. Applicants nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but the doctoral degree must be completed by (Aug 1 2026)

Required Experience:

1. A minimum of one year of U.S. physical therapy practice experience with a terminal academic degree (PhD Ed.D DSc); or three years of full-time U.S. clinical experience with a DPT and ABPTS clinical specialty.
2. Evidence of teaching or research in one or more of the following areas: Orthopedic Neurologic Cardiopulmonary Acute Care Pediatrics or clinical instruction in an academic clinic setting Prosthetics and Orthotics or Gait/Biomechanics/Pathokinesiology.
3. Current active physical therapy licensure in any U.S. jurisdiction and eligibility to obtain California licensure.

Preferred Experience:

1. Three years of clinical experience in physical therapy practice with a terminal academic degree (PhD Ed.D DSc).
2. Experience teaching using current methodologies including online and hybrid environments tablet-enhanced instruction and flipped classroom methodologies AI-conscious practices
3. Evidence of experience attracting external funding;
4. Active participation or leadership roles within the profession of Physical Therapy or relevant professional organizations;
5. Leadership roles in a clinic or research setting.
6. Record of community/professional service.

Application Procedures:

Priority consideration date: Friday January 30 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time)
For full consideration applicants are strongly encouraged to submit materials by this date.

Final closing date: Thursday March 5 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Applications submitted after January 30 will be reviewed only if the position has not yet been filled and interviews have not been scheduled. Note: All positions at Fresno State are subject to funding availability.

Interested candidates are encouraged to meet our faculty at the Education Leadership Conference (ELC) APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) and other relevant professional meetings. Please contact: Nupur Hajela ( ) regarding this.

Apply online at: Link

Attach the following:

1) A cover letter specifically addressing required education experience and preferred qualifications ( 2-3 pages)

2) A curriculum vitae

3) A list of three professional references.

Candidates invited for an on-campus visit must submit by mail/e-mail within the designated deadline. The Search Chair will send information and requests for these items:

1. Official transcripts from your doctoral program and
2. Three current letters of recommendation (dated within the last 12 months).

Committee Information and Search process:

Search Chair: Nupur Hajela PT DPT PhD
Department of Physical Therapy
Email:
Phone:
Department Office:

About the Fresno State

California State University Fresno is an engaged university. We focus on broadening students intellectual horizons fostering lifelong learning skills developing the leaders of tomorrow promoting community involvement and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We nurture cultural competence by celebrating the rich diversity of the campus community and welcoming the participation of all. Members of the University community work effectively with faculty staff and students from diverse ethnic cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Fresno State is committed and dedicated to creating a university known for its integrity civility equity respect and ethical addition Fresno State holds the prestigious R2 designation recently redefined in the 2025 Carnegie Classification. During the 2023-24 academic year Fresno State received more than 400 grants and contracts for a total of $78.3 million setting a record in research funding for the sixth consecutive year. With strong doctoral programs and over $11 million in annual research expenditures the university is advancing innovation and impact across the region and beyond.

The campus is ranked 2nd in the nation by Washington Monthly for tuition (and tax) dollars; rankedNo. 30 for social mobility in U.S. News and World Reports 2025 Best Colleges rankings; andreceived a 4.5-star rating on a 5-star scale in Moneys 2025 Best Colleges list.

Tenure-Track Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the Universitys Probationary Plan Process. For additional information please visit: We value our commitment to the success of our faculty by providing services from the Center for Faculty Excellence to Research and Sponsored Programs.

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Anticipated hiring range is $6800-$7100 per month for Assistant Professor (12 monthly payments per academic year). As a member of the 23-campus CSU System we offer an extremely competitive benefits package.

About the College and Department:

The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) ( is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of communities across the Central Valley and beyond. Through its seven academic departments and multiple community-based centers and clinics the College prepares students for leadership and service in health and human service professions. With nationally accredited programs a strong commitment to research and a focus on culturally responsive care CHHS provides rich opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

The Department of Physical Therapy at Fresno State has a well-established and respected Doctoral program. Our faculty members (Link) have diverse clinical and research expertise across the lifespan including pediatric adolescent and aging populations of the culturally diverse Central Valley. Faculty research initiatives are broad and collaborative with faculty from across the University including kinesiology nursing public health engineering and communicative addition to professional development funds faculty have received both assigned time and research funding through Chancellor and Provost Awards.

The Department of Physical Therapy at Fresno State is equipped with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories that support both teaching and research. Two movement research laboratories house advanced technology for biomechanical investigation including a Vicon Motion System Bertec Split Treadmill Noraxon EMG System Zeno mat and a CMI Humac Isokinetic Dynamometer. Additional resources include a GE Logiq Diagnostic Ultrasound unit; cardiopulmonary and physiological testing systems such as the TrueOne Metabolic Measurement System Montara EKG Instrument and Treadmill and Spirometer; and transcranial magnetic stimulation for brain stimulation research. For balance evaluation intervention and research the department maintains three Bertec Balance Advantage systems and a NeuroCom Smart EquiTest.

The program also operates a state-of-the-art human anatomy laboratory where students perform dissections on human donors providing essential hands-on learning in gross anatomy. Faculty and students have access to the Colleges Human Performance Laboratory housed in the Department of Kinesiology and to the Department of Nursings Knorr Patient Simulation addition the program supports two on-site clinics the Gait Balance and Mobility Center and the Musculoskeletal Care Clinic within the University Student Health Center that offer unique opportunities for doctoral students to integrate classroom learning with patient care early in the curriculum.

Territorial Acknowledgement:

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land.

Other Campus Information:

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act California State University Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants students and employees online at Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

Any offer of employment may be withdrawn or employment may be terminated based upon the results of the background investigation.

The person holding this position is considered a limited reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21 2017 as a condition of employment. You can obtain a copy of this Executive order by accessing the following website: State University Fresno is a smoke-free campus. For more information please click State University Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer consistent with CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy as well as state and federal law. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race religion color national origin ancestry age sex gender gender identity gender expression sexual orientation genetic information medical condition disability marital status or protected veteran status. Fresno States commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment hiring and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

Out of State Employment
Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04) all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age medical condition and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at States ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities budget availability and current federal regulations. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.