ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) — Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) has announced a new partnership with LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) to create an accelerated 3+3 degree pathway in occupational therapy, a move school officials say will help strengthen Louisiana’s healthcare workforce.

The program allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology or kinesiology from LSUA and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) from LSUHS in about six years — reducing the time typically required to complete both degrees.

Under the pathway, students complete their first three years and at least 85–90 credit hours at LSUA before applying to LSUHS. Once accepted into the doctoral program, credits from the first year of graduate study transfer back to LSUA, where students are officially awarded their bachelor’s degree. Two additional years at LSUHS complete the OTD requirements.

Jeff Langston, dean of LSUA’s College of Health & Human Services, said the initiative is designed to meet critical workforce needs in Louisiana. “This accelerated 3+3 partnership demonstrates LSUA’s commitment to innovative educational opportunities,” he said. “We’re proud to collaborate with LSU Health Shreveport to ensure our students are prepared to thrive in one of the nation’s fastest-growing healthcare fields.”

Sarah Walters, director of LSUHS’s occupational therapy program, said the streamlined pathway benefits both students and the state’s healthcare system. “By offering an accelerated pathway, we’re not only expediting the route to a doctoral degree — we’re also engaging students earlier in their professional journey,” Walters said.

Local healthcare leaders praised the collaboration. Ryan Riche, director of rehab services at Rapides Regional Medical Center, said the program will “strengthen the pipeline of skilled therapists in Central Louisiana — supporting the needs of Rapides Regional and healthcare providers throughout the region.”

According to federal labor data, employment of occupational therapists is expected to grow 11% between 2023 and 2033, with nearly 10,000 new jobs projected annually. Officials attribute the demand to an aging population, broader applications of occupational therapy and an emphasis on non-invasive treatment approaches.

Occupational therapists work with patients of all ages to regain or maintain skills needed for daily life, from recovering after injury to managing long-term conditions.

More information about the program is available at explore.lsua.edu and lsuhs.edu.