University System of Maryland

Director of Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs

University System of Maryland

contract

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Adelphi • Maryland • United States

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Salary

💰 $115,000 - $135,000 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the University System of Maryland’s consortium-based alternative teacher licensure programs.
  • Responsible for program design, regulatory compliance, instructional quality, partnership management, fiscal oversight, data reporting, and continuous improvement across all alternative certification pathways.
  • Leads cross-institutional collaboration among USM institutions, local education agencies (LEAs), and state partners.
  • Serves as the primary point of accountability for program integrity, scale, and sustainability.
  • Monitors the national alternative teacher licensure and educator preparation landscape.
  • Coordinates with national partners, professional organizations, and peer systems for program design and improvement.
  • Leads the strategy, design, and implementation of competency-based licensure pathways aligned with workforce needs.
  • Works with MSDE and LEAs to identify high-need licensure areas and prioritize new programs.
  • Ensures compliance with MSDE, MHEC, CAEP, COMAR, and other regulatory requirements.
  • Leads collaboration with instructional designers to develop fully online licensure programming.
  • Ensures curriculum and assessments are designed for asynchronous delivery and adult learners.
  • Manages technical infrastructure to support online programming and quality assurance.
  • Oversees instructional coaching model for teacher candidates and provides supervision and support.
  • Coordinates all candidate registration, application, review, and approval processes for programs.
  • Leads contracts and agreements with Local Education Agencies and consortium partners.

Requirements

  • Master's degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Instructional Design, or a closely related field.
  • 7 years of progressive experience in educator preparation, teacher licensure, academic program leadership, or related field.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-partner education initiatives.
  • Experience working with state education agencies, accreditation bodies, or regulatory frameworks.
  • Knowledge of educator licensure requirements, state policy frameworks, and accreditation standards (e.g., MSDE, COMAR, CAEP).
  • Skill in program design, strategic planning, and continuous improvement for licensure or educator preparation pathways.
  • Ability to interpret and ensure compliance with complex regulations and state licensure requirements.
  • Knowledge of online instructional design principles, asynchronous learning models, and adult learning theory.
  • Skill in managing online program infrastructure, including LMS configuration, integrations, and accessibility requirements.
  • Skill in supervising and developing professional staff, including instructional coaches or similar roles.
  • Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with school districts, state agencies, and higher education institutions.
  • Skill in coordinating complex administrative processes, such as admissions, onboarding, verification, or data workflows.
  • Skill in project management, including managing multi-stakeholder timelines, deliverables, and cross-organizational collaboration.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to convey technical, policy, and compliance information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to analyze data, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement.
  • Advanced degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Instructional Design, or a closely related field.
  • Experience leading alternative teacher preparation or residency-style programs.
  • Experience with edTPA preparation and portfolio-based licensure assessments.
  • Experience securing and managing grant-funded education initiatives.
  • Demonstrated success in equity-centered, workforce-aligned program design.
  • Skill in competency-based program design or job-embedded teacher preparation models.
  • Skill in negotiating contracts, MOUs, or partnership agreements.
  • Working knowledge of learning management systems (LMS) such as Canvas, including configuration, integrations, or credentialing workflows.
Benefits
  • Paid Leave: 22 days of annual leave, 15 days of sick & safe leave, 16-17 holidays, 3 personal leave days, 12 weeks paid parental leave.
  • Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Retirement Plans: Supplemental options with major providers like Fidelity and TIAA.
  • Life Insurance: Optional term life and AD&D benefits through MetLife.
  • Tuition Benefits: Tuition remission for employees and their families.
  • Training & Development: Free professional development conferences and unlimited LinkedIn Learning access.
  • Credit Union Access: Membership eligibility for SECU, Maryland’s largest credit union.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free counseling, legal, financial, and work-life support services.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
program designstrategic planningcontinuous improvementonline instructional designasynchronous learning modelsdata analysisbudget managementcompetency-based program designproject managementeducator licensure requirements
Soft Skills
leadershipcollaborationcommunicationrelationship-buildingsupervisionpartnership managementorganizational skillsanalytical skillsnegotiationadaptability
Certifications
Master's degree in EducationMaster's degree in Curriculum & InstructionMaster's degree in Educational LeadershipMaster's degree in Higher Education AdministrationMaster's degree in Instructional DesignCAEP accreditationMSDE complianceCOMAR compliance