Jun. 04, 2025
South College marked a milestone by celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program that has resulted in more than 1,000 graduates from the Knoxville campus.
South College launched its first DPT program in 2015 in Knoxville, followed by Atlanta in 2023 and Nashville in 2024.
“The Doctor of Physical Therapy program has met a critical need in the healthcare field, and we are proud to have graduated so many students in Knoxville,” said Neil Heatherly, campus president for South College Knoxville. “Our focus has always been to offer fields of study that are in demand and will prepare students for workforce opportunities upon graduation. This 10-year anniversary is a tremendous milestone in pursuit of that mission.”
A total of 1,011 students have graduated from the Knoxville DPT program with an additional 89 students on track to graduate June 20, bringing the total to 1,100. Students and alumni of the DPT program hail from 47 states.
South College offered the first hybrid, accelerated DPT program in the country and received a 10-year reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in 2022 – the first hybrid, accelerated DPT program in the country to earn that achievement.
“The 10-year anniversary is a credit to everyone involved in launching the program and ensuring its success, along with the dedication and commitment of our students who earned their doctoral degree,” said Dr. Jill Seale, DPT program director and assistant professor. “The innovative hybrid-accelerated program accomplishes 3 goals: increases the access for students to a DPT degree, decreases costs for students and makes them employable sooner, and speeds up the process of getting outstanding DPTs into clinical practice, thereby favorably impacting health care shortages.”
Physical therapy is a critical component of the overall health spectrum for patients of all ages who are recovering from surgery, illness and injuries that can be related to work, sports and other conditions. That can include neck and back injuries, fractures, arthritis, joint replacements, mobility restoration and neurological disorders, such as a stroke.
The DPT curriculum at South College includes key areas such as clinical practice, patient management across all ages and abilities, advanced diagnostics and business management to prepare graduates for diverse opportunities in physical therapy. Information about the Knoxville program is available at south.edu/program/doctor-of-physical-therapy-knoxville.
South College hosted a reception for the 10th anniversary and also honored the original faculty members for the DPT program, including Tim Flynn, Craig Fox, Mike Jones, Shane Koppenhaver, Alex Koszalinski, Paul Miller, Hannah Norton, Jason Rodeghero, Mark Shepherd, Tiffany Shubert, Jeanne Smith and Mike Walker.
The two-year hybrid DPT program, also available at South College’s Nashville and Atlanta campuses, is designed to help students minimize time spent in the classroom while maximizing learning and practical application.
South College offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE.
To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 16,000 students and is proud of its more than 17,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.
