Program Development Specialist III

Position Summary:

The Program Development Specialist serves as a curriculum architect responsible for designing, mapping, and evaluating nursing and healthcare education programs using competency-based and concept-based frameworks. This role ensures alignment with institutional goals, accreditation standards (CCNE, CNEA), and the AACN Essentials (2021), supporting the development of rigorous, outcomes-driven for multiple programs. The collaborator translates complex accreditation requirements, domains, and competencies into measurable learning outcomes and aligned assessments across program, course, and weekly levels. Working collaboratively across teams, this role advances curriculum innovation, leverages data and emerging technologies, and supports continuous quality improvement to ensure programs meet evolving educational, regulatory, and workforce expectations.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Translate institutional goals, accreditation standards, and AACN Essentials domains, competencies, and concepts into program outcomes and competency frameworks.
• Lead KSAB and concept mapping sessions with faculty, subject matter experts, and stakeholders.
• Design integrated program structures including outcomes, concepts, competencies, sub-competencies, and progression indicators.
• Ensure all outcomes and competencies are measurable, observable, and aligned with competency-based education principles.
• Develop and maintain program blueprints that ensure alignment from program-level outcomes to course and weekly objectives.
• Apply backward design to align curriculum, instruction, and performance-based assessments.
• Collaborate with content and assessment teams to ensure accurate translation of program design into courses and learning experiences.
• Facilitate validation sessions with faculty and practice partners to ensure workforce and accreditation alignment.
• Conduct program reviews to ensure compliance with CCNE and CNEA standards and continuous quality improvement expectations.
• Identify gaps in curriculum alignment, competency progression, and assessment strategies and lead improvement initiatives.
• Utilize curriculum mapping systems, data analytics, and emerging technologies to support alignment, tracking, and reporting.
• Anticipate trends in nursing education, including informatics and technology integration, to ensure program relevance.
• Maintain integrity and traceability of curriculum maps across development and accreditation cycles.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• Minimum of five years of experience in nursing curriculum development, program design, accreditation, or assessment.
• Demonstrated experience with competency-based education and concept-based curriculum design.
• Experience mapping curriculum across program, course, and learning outcome levels.
• Experience supporting or participating in accreditation processes (e.g., CCNE, CNEA).
• Strong ability to analyze data and apply findings to curriculum improvement.
• Experience collaborating with faculty, subject matter experts, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with curriculum mapping tools, learning technologies, or data systems preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for academic and accreditation documentation.