South College graduate program fair showcases pathways to advanced degrees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2026

South College hosted an interactive graduate program fair on Oct. 8, offering undergraduates, prospective students and the public a firsthand look at advanced degree programs and opportunities.

The fair at the Parkside Drive campus included hands-on demonstrations for a range of disciplines, including physical and occupational therapy, pharmacy compounding labs and a simulated operating room for anesthesia induction. The event also featured special guests from Covenant Health Air ambulance landing on campus and a radio remote by WIVK, along with refreshments from food trucks and South College goodies.

“We want to help individuals explore their futures by connecting them with students and faculty and sharing practical information about available master’s and doctoral programs,” said Neil Heatherly, president of South College’s Knoxville campus. “We offer a broad range of advanced degrees and flexible ways to pursue them, whether that’s on campus, online or at your own pace through Competency Based Education.”

Attendees were able to participate in a low-vision simulation to better understand how Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) professionals help patients navigate everyday life, even with vision or mobility challenges. Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) faculty explained the role of pharmaceuticals in emergency medicine and demonstrated compounding techniques. Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) leaders guided groups through an operating room simulation of anesthesia induction.

The fair also included information about opportunities in Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Physician Assistant (PA), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Ministry (DMin) and advanced degree programs in Criminal Justice and Business.

Those in attendance were encouraged to take part in challenges and explore campus with tours of classrooms and modern simulation labs.

South College is equipped with advanced technology to offer students hands-on practice in patient care, from realistic hospital rooms and beds to high-fidelity manikins that appear to breathe, blink and speak.

“We want to offer our students a safe opportunity to practice with equipment and techniques, so they can be prepared and confident in a real-world situation,” Heatherly said.

South College Knoxville offers advanced degrees in Education, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant.

Graduate degrees also are offered through South College’s Competency-Based Education (CBE), an innovative approach that allows professionals to progress at their own pace online by demonstrating mastery of curriculum. Online and hybrid programs also are available.

South College has two Knoxville campuses with its Lonas campus at 3904 Lonas Drive and the Parkside campus at 400 Goodys Lane. For more information, contact the admissions team at 865-214-6020 or visit south.edu/knoxville.

South College offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and through Competency-Based Education (CBE).

To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.

About South College

South College serves more than 22,000 students and is proud of its more than 25,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.

South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.