LSU Campuses Partnered for PT Degree Program
LSU Alexandria and LSU Health Shreveport launched an accelerated pathway to a doctor of physical therapy degree.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Financial Aid
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LSU Alexandria and LSU Health Shreveport signed a memorandum of understanding to create an accelerated physical therapy degree program. The initiative allows students to complete their undergraduate work and doctoral degree one year faster than traditional paths.
Why it matters
This partnership provides students in Central Louisiana with more local educational opportunities. By reducing the duration and cost of training, the program aims to make physical therapy careers more accessible to regional residents.
The program structure requires three years of undergraduate study at LSU Alexandria followed by three years of professional training. This model offers students a total savings of one year in both time and tuition costs.
The players
LSU Alexandria
This public university located in Alexandria, Louisiana, provides the initial three years of undergraduate coursework for the new physical therapy pathway.
LSU Health Shreveport
This health sciences center based in Shreveport, Louisiana, oversees the doctoral phase of the physical therapy degree program.
The details
Students begin the program with three years of undergraduate study at LSU Alexandria before transitioning to LSU Health Shreveport to complete their bachelor's and doctoral degrees. Professional training is conducted either in-person at the Shreveport campus or through a hybrid format based in Lafayette.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: The partnership agreement was officially signed and publicized.
Culture Shift
This partnership follows a pattern established by the national trend of accelerated 3+3 degree programs in health professions by compressing undergraduate and doctoral timelines. It reflects a broader societal push to reduce the financial and temporal barriers to entering specialized medical fields.
Students pursuing a career in physical therapy can now save a full year of tuition and living expenses through this streamlined academic route. The availability of a hybrid program in Lafayette provides additional flexibility for those balancing clinical training with other commitments.
The takeaway
Students interested in this path should consult with academic advisors at LSU Alexandria to ensure their course credits align with the specific requirements of the doctoral transition. Starting this track early allows for maximum benefit from the combined undergraduate and professional curriculum.
Further reading
For more information on reducing education costs, visit the Louisiana Financial Aid section.
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