Higher education is evolving to meet the critical needs of health care and society.
With an aging population, rising chronic disease burden, and persistent workforce shortages, health care systems are under pressure to deliver more care with fewer providers.
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a 32% increase in demand for both occupational therapists and physical therapists by 2037.
Meanwhile, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) estimates a shortage of over 42,000 full-time physical therapists by the same year.
The nursing profession faces even more alarming projections, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting a national shortage of nearly 208,000 registered nurses by 2031, disproportionately impacting rural and underserved communities.
What Are Accelerated Health Care Programs?
Accelerated health care programs are characterized by:
- Hybrid Delivery: Asynchronous online content is paired with face-to-face lab intensives and clinical experiences, allowing flexibility while preserving hands-on learning.
- Block Scheduling: Courses are structured into intensive, focused terms, often 6–8 weeks, allowing for deep learning in fewer subjects at a time.
- Continuous Progression: Year-round schedules minimize breaks, maintaining momentum and shortening time to degree completion.
Inside the EIM Model for Accelerated Health Care Education
Evidence In Motion (EIM) partners with accredited institutions to co-design hybrid accelerated programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, speech-language pathology, and physician assistant studies.
EIM’s model prioritizes academic rigor, licensure readiness, and student well-being. Key elements include:
- Modular, evidence-based curriculum
- Reducing cognitive load for students
- Faculty development for hybrid and accelerated teaching
- Clinical placement support
- Student-centric support with high-touch coaching
What Students Gain in Accelerated Health Care Programs
Accelerated programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s students, many of whom seek a faster, more focused pathway to licensure and employment.
The hybrid model provides flexibility for adult learners, balancing education with work and family responsibilities while fostering a strong sense of community during online didactic training, in-person labs, and clinical education.
Earlier introduction to clinical education, a hallmark of accelerated pathways, exposes students to real-world scenarios earlier in their training, allowing them to integrate theory with practice and develop clinical reasoning skills sooner.
This approach often enhances confidence, engagement, and professional identity formation, as students see the relevance of their coursework in action.
While the pace of accelerated programs is demanding, students benefit from structured support systems, including dedicated faculty mentoring, proactive academic coaching, and access to wellness resources, that help them thrive in a high-intensity learning environment.
Why Experienced Program Management Matters
Successfully implementing an accelerated health care program requires more than compressing content into a shorter timeline.
It demands experienced program management that understands the unique imperatives of hybrid, accelerated models, distinct from traditional undergraduate or graduate education.
Many universities underestimate the complexity of designing and sustaining such programs, from aligning with accreditation standards to supporting faculty development and clinical partnerships.
Institutions that invest in expert guidance and operational infrastructure are better positioned to deliver a program that is both rigorous and sustainable, ultimately preparing graduates to meet workforce demands.
Should Your Institution Offer Accelerated Graduate Programs?
Accelerated study models require thoughtful design, institutional alignment, and a commitment to supporting students and faculty in a rigorous, fast-paced environment.
While not a universal solution, they offer a powerful strategy for addressing health care workforce needs, expanding access for nontraditional learners, and positioning institutions as leaders in innovative graduate education.