When South College's first cohort of hybrid accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students began their studies, the academic world watched with caution.
Could a rigorous, two-year DPT program delivered in a hybrid format maintain the clinical and educational excellence of traditional models?
Ten years later, the answer is clear: it can, and it has.
South College, in partnership with Evidence In Motion (EIM), has not only validated the model but has helped redefine how health care education can and should evolve to meet the needs of today's learners and tomorrow's clinicians.
A Bold Vision and a Trailblazing Partner
At the program's recent 10-year anniversary celebration, EIM Chief Academic Officer Mike Walker reflected on that early skepticism.
He recalled standing in front of the first class during orientation, fully aware of the doubts swirling around the accelerated hybrid concept. "The boldness of a two-year DPT program was doubted," he noted. But Walker also spoke to the confidence he and his colleagues had in their vision and the secure foundation they had built to deliver on it.
That vision depended on more than just strong curriculum design. It relied on institutional trust. South College stepped forward as a willing and visionary partner, one open to challenging convention in pursuit of something better.
What Made It Work
Much of the program's credibility stems from the clarity of its focus. Early on, the team at South College and EIM asked a fundamental question: what truly matters in preparing students for entry-level clinical practice?
The answer guided everything, from course sequencing to lab design to student support systems. This wasn't a race to the finish. It was a deliberate reengineering of how students learn best, particularly in a fast-paced and digitally connected world.
Walker attributes the program's success to three key ingredients: forward-thinking administrators and faculty, students who brought relentless motivation, and a shared willingness to be open to innovation.
"The students are the reason this model works," he said. "They're proving that innovation in education isn't optional. It's essential."
Redefining Engagement
Dr. Christina Odeh, program director and dean of graduate health professions at South College, who came to the institution from a traditional DPT background, saw the contrast firsthand. In conventional lab settings, it wasn't uncommon for students to observe more than they practiced. But in the hybrid model's lab intensives, the dynamic was different.
"Everyone was engaged. Everyone was practicing," the Dr. Odeh shared. The hybrid design didn't compromise on rigor but enhanced participation. With fewer distractions and more purposeful interactions, students arrived ready to apply their knowledge and hone their skills.
This outcome flies in the face of outdated assumptions that hybrid education lacks depth. In reality, it requires a thoughtful balance of autonomy and structure, a balance that South College has mastered.
Milestones That Matter
Since its inception, the South College program has graduated more than 1,000 DPTs from the Knoxville campus and has launched campuses in Atlanta in 2023 and Nashville in 2024. These 1,000-plus practicing clinicians now serve in hospitals, clinics and community settings across the country. They carry more than a degree and embody a model of education that values agility, outcomes and evidence-based excellence.
Their success stories serve as the strongest endorsement of the program's design and its staying power.
Setting the Stage for What's Next
The hybrid accelerated model South College helped pioneer is no longer an experiment. It's a blueprint. And as health care education faces increasing workforce demand pressures, this model offers a path forward.
"Being the change means being disruptive," said Tim Flynn, a founding partner of both Confluent Health and EIM. The sentiment echoed through the anniversary celebration as a call to action for institutions nationwide.
Walker agrees. "We've shown what's possible when you commit to innovation. This isn't just about South College. It's about the future of education."
Conclusion
A decade ago, the accelerated hybrid DPT model was a bold idea met with doubt. Today, it's a proven, respected and replicable success. South College and EIM didn't just weather the scrutiny but turned it into momentum.
As other institutions look to modernize, they'll find a strong foundation in the very model once considered too ambitious. And if the past 10 years are any indication, this is only the beginning.