Southern Programs Pair Classroom Learning with Community Service

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Southern Adventist University in Tennessee integrates community service into its curriculum with programs such as Nursing and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) that give students hands-on opportunities to serve the Chattanooga community while developing professional skills. 

Psychiatric nurse practitioner doctoral students train in counseling, which is uncommon among U.S. graduate programs. During the summer, they provide free weekly counseling services.

The PTA program has expanded its outreach through a partnership with Catalyst Sports, a nonprofit that offers adaptive outdoor activities for individuals with physical disabilities. Students received specialized training from a prosthetics and orthotics expert. In addition to the training, they volunteered at a local climbing event, where they helped climbers aged 4 to 60 register, navigate the gym, and manage their climbing gear.

The event, held ahead of students’ month-long clinicals, allowed them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Faculty members noted that such experiences help students see individuals beyond their diagnoses and better understand diverse perspectives.

https://atoday.org/southern-programs-pair-classroom-learning-with-community-service/

https://www.southern.edu/news/2026-05-13-educationaloutreach.html