OPT Program Director Jobs
Program Director jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor H-1B visa or provide OPT extension support. Most roles fall under specialty occupation criteria through a relevant advanced degree. STEM OPT extension is uncommon for this title unless the position sits within a qualifying STEM field.
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Position Title:
Clinical Instructor and Program Director, Associate of Science in Nursing
Time Type:
Full time
Position Summary and Qualifications:
The Program Director for the Associate of Science in Nursing program in Lancaster provides leadership as requested by academic leadership and as outlined and required by the regulatory and accrediting bodies. The Program Director is responsible for the daily operations of the associate degree undergraduate nursing program. This includes but is not limited to review, revision, and implementation of the curriculum, faculty supervision, student recruitment, admission and progression, simulation integration, clinical placements and education. The Program Director manages and facilitates all accreditation activities including the Systematic Evaluation Plan, self study activities, and assuring compliance with all accreditation standards. The Program Director will report directly to the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Nursing and will work closely with the academic leadership team within the School of Nursing and Allied Health. This is a 12-month faculty position with both administrative and teaching responsibilities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Promotes and contributes to the enhancement of a high performing learner-centered environment.
- Supervises the associate degree nursing program.
- Communicates regularly with the BSN Program Director at the Hawk Hill and Lancaster sites, the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Nursing, Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and Curriculum Integration, and the Dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health.
- Supports the recruitment, development, and retention of full-time and adjunct nursing faculty.
- Facilitates the implementation, review, and revision of the ASN curriculum.
- Collaborates with the leadership team of the School of Nursing and Allied Health to design, develop, and implement strategies to assess and enhance academic rigor, quality, and compliance to academic standards, including program accreditation.
- Works with faculty and student support services to implement and maintain a student success and retention plan for the undergraduate nursing programs.
- Assists the leadership team of the School of Nursing and Allied Health in ensuring the ASN nursing program is compliant with the PA State Board of Nursing and accrediting agency standards, including but not limited to annual reports, substantive change reports, mid-cycle reviews, systematic evaluation plans, and self-study documents.
- Tracks NCLEX pass rates at the individual and aggregate level.
- Participates in the development of nursing program budgets in collaboration with the Assistant Dean and Dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health.
- Works within budgetary boundaries to ensure the functioning of the ASN nursing program.
- Collaborates with the Student Enrollment Management and nursing leadership on projections of student enrollment for current and future nursing programs.
- Forges relationships and agreements with external organizations and academic institutions to enhance students’ clinical experiences.
- Works in collaboration with the faculty and staff to secure clinical placements and clinical schedules for all students.
- Manages clinical coverage for call-outs.
- Works in collaboration with the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Nursing to assign workload and teaching assignments to all faculty.
- Participates in new faculty orientation planning and implementation in collaboration with the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and Curriculum Integration.
- Collaborates with the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and Curriculum Integration to provide faculty development opportunities and individual coaching to meet identified needs.
- Reviews all faculty and course evaluations each semester. Provides timely feedback.
- Collaborates with the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Nursing to complete annual evaluations of faculty and staff as assigned.
- Supports faculty in the promotion and tenure process.
- Collaborates with other departments of the University such as admissions, advising, marketing, enrollment management, institutional effectiveness, and other academic programs to enhance the nursing programs.
- Reviews data from NCSBN, Mountain Measurement, ATI, and other sources to support changes in policy, procedure, and curriculum.
- Incorporates current theories, research, and practice into the design of instruction, including plans for development and revision of curriculum.
- Demonstrates service to the School of Nursing and Allied Health, University, profession, and/or community.
- Demonstrates a commitment to scholarship through professional development which enhances teaching and learning.
- Facilitates ASN program meetings at Lancaster.
- Participates in faculty and leadership meetings within the School of Nursing and Allied Health.
- Models professional values in support of the mission, vision, educational outcomes, and strategic direction of the School of Nursing and Allied Health and the University.
- Manages student issues according to University, SNAH, and program specific policies.
- Advises ASN students in formal and informal situations.
- Plans and participates in new student orientation.
- Performs other duties that may be in the best interest of the University as requested by academic leadership.
Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Identifies professional goals to support leadership development in collaboration with a supervisor.
- Represents the School of Nursing and Allied Health and the University at external events including professional organizations, community events, recruitment activities, and other designated events.
- Serves on School and University committees as assigned.
Education, Certifications, and Licensure Requirements:
- Master of Science in Nursing required.
- Current unencumbered Pennsylvania registered nurse license required.
- Earned doctorate in Nursing or Education, or evidence of significant progress toward doctoral degree completion preferred.
- Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification preferred or willingness to complete certification within two years of employment.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Minimum of five years of effective teaching experience in a baccalaureate nursing program.
- 3-5 years of progressive experience in academic leadership.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Ability to solve problems creatively and effectively.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills.
- High level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as required by the circumstances.
- Flexibility in managing a dynamic and evolving academic program.
Pay Transparency:
The estimated pay range for the faculty duties of this position is $73,000-$78,000. Offered salary will be commensurate with work experience and educational background. Click here to learn more about the University's approach to pay and benefits transparency.
Notice to Out of State Applicants:
Saint Joseph’s University may only consider applicants from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (not including New York City zip codes), and Delaware (Delaware residents must regularly be present for over 50% of work time on an SJU campus). If an employee must relocate to meet these conditions, financial assistance may be available but is not guaranteed.
Saint Joseph’s University is a private, Catholic, Jesuit institution and we expect members of our community to be knowledgeable about – and to make a positive contribution to – our mission. Saint Joseph’s University is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to recruit, develop and retain a talented and diverse workforce. The University is committed to the diversity of its faculty and staff so that our students, our disciplines and our community as a whole can benefit from the multiple perspectives it offers. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. EOE
Saint Joseph’s University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its programs and activities, including admission and employment, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws and regulations. To contact the Title IX Coordinator, e-mail titleix@sju.edu, visit Campion Student Center suite 243, or call 610-660-1145. To learn more about the University’s Title IX policies, the process for filing a report or formal complaint of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other form of sexual misconduct, and the University’s response to reports and/or formal complaints, please visit www.sju.edu/titleix. Inquiries may also be directed to the Federal agency responsible for enforcing Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
Applicant Information & Disclosures
Please review this article of important information pertaining (but not limited) to: Background checks, the Form I-9, Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE), and Title IX.
Pay Transparency & Benefits Overview
Read more about the university's approach to pay and benefits transparency.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Program Director
Target mission-driven and funded organizations
Nonprofits, research institutions, and government-funded agencies hire Program Directors regularly and have established HR processes for OPT. These employers are more accustomed to visa timelines than early-stage startups with no immigration infrastructure.
Lead with your degree field, not just your title
Program Director is a broad title. Employers and USCIS care whether your degree aligns with the role's core function. Frame your background around the discipline your program manages, whether that's public health, education, technology, or international development.
Address OPT status early in the process
Senior roles involve lengthy hiring processes. Bring up your work authorization status before final-round interviews to avoid late-stage rejections. Employers invested in a candidate are far more willing to discuss sponsorship than ones who feel surprised by it.
Quantify your program outcomes before applying
Program Directors are hired to deliver results. Prepare two or three concrete examples with measurable impact before your first interview. Employers sponsoring a visa need confidence the investment is worth it, and numbers build that case faster than any other evidence.
Clarify whether STEM OPT applies to your situation
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field and the role involves substantial technical or analytical work, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before relying on this as part of your job search strategy.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for sponsoring employers
Not every Program Director opening comes with visa support. Migrate Mate surfaces roles from employers actively hiring OPT students, saving you the effort of filtering out positions that will not consider candidates requiring sponsorship.
Program Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Program Director on OPT?
Yes, if the role qualifies as a specialty occupation tied to your degree field. Program Director positions that require a specific bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant discipline, such as public health, education administration, or computer science, generally meet this standard. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field are harder to support under OPT or future H-1B visa sponsorship.
Does a Program Director role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code and how the role is classified by the employer. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field and the Program Director position centers on technical, scientific, or analytical work, the employer may be able to support a STEM OPT extension. Confirm your eligibility with your designated school official before assuming this option is available.
What types of employers hire Program Directors on OPT?
Universities, research centers, nonprofits, public health agencies, and technology companies are the most consistent sources of Program Director roles with OPT-friendly hiring practices. These organizations typically have HR teams familiar with work authorization requirements. You can browse employers currently hiring on Migrate Mate, which filters for companies open to sponsoring OPT candidates.
How does my OPT end date affect the Program Director hiring process?
Program Director searches often run 60 to 90 days or longer because of the seniority level involved. If your OPT expires within three to four months, prioritize employers with existing H-1B sponsorship infrastructure who can move quickly. Starting your search with enough runway to complete a full hiring process significantly reduces the risk of a gap in work authorization.
Will employers sponsor H-1B for a Program Director role?
Many will, but sponsorship is not automatic. Employers need to file a Labor Condition Application and submit an H-1B petition, which takes time and legal resources. Organizations that have sponsored visas before are more likely to do so again. When evaluating opportunities, prioritize employers with a track record of H-1B filings, which you can identify through public disclosure data from the Department of Labor.