Mississippi State University plans to address healthcare outcomes in rural and underserved areas of the state through its newly approved Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program offered at the school’s Meridian campus.
The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning gave the program the green light on Thursday. The hybrid program is slated to be the first of its kind in the state to admit applicants from any background who have completed the appropriate prerequisites. Those participating in MSU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy degree will receive online and on-site learning.
Unlike place-bound Doctor of Physical Therapy curricula, the academic model at MSU-Meridian will help eliminate geographic and financial barriers for those who want to pursue this degree, with 50% of coursework offered for students to complete on their own time and in defined windows, alike. The additional 50% involves on-campus, hands-on lab immersion and in-person clinical experiences. The curriculum will be designed by the Meridian campus’s School of Health Professions.
“For 53 years, MSU-Meridian has been providing education for non-traditional students — meeting students where they are, while maintaining the high academic standards the university is known for,” David Buys, associate vice provost for health sciences and interim head of campus, said. “This PT program is just the next in our long history of innovation in higher education and another example of our more recent commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of this region and the state as a whole.”
Recent data compiled by the Health Resources and Services Administration projects that the number of physical therapists in the state will drop from 78% to 65% by 2034 without any relief on deck. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 14% increase in demand for physical therapists from 2023 to 2033, outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations.
“With this growing shortage of physical therapists in Mississippi, particularly in rural areas, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program will be an important addition in Meridian,” Lesley Clack, School of Health Professions dean, said. “Through the combination of online and in-person learning, it will allow healthcare professionals to earn the DPT degree without relocating, which is a huge benefit to students and those needing PT care.”
Factors intensifying the state’s need for these physical therapy services include an aging population, a rise in chronic disease rates, a demand for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation, and further emphasis on non-invasive treatments.
The 120-hour curriculum is expected to enroll 250 students in the first five years. Per MSU officials, planning and development will begin immediately, with implementation and accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education projected within the next six years.
