Des Moines University President Angela Franklin and Simpson College President Jay Byers signed an agreement creating pathways between the two schools for health care students. (Photo courtesy of Des Moines University)
Des Moines University and Simpson College have partnered to offer more opportunities for students hoping to pursue a health care career.
Simpson College students now have access to guaranteed interviews, concurrent degrees and reserved seats for certain programs through the agreement, Des Moines University (DMU) announced in a news release. According to the release, the partnership will provide benefits to students and address health care workforce shortages in the state.
“DMU and Simpson share the goals of attracting academically promising students into our programs and producing well-prepared professionals for medical and health science careers,” said DMU President Angela Franklin in the release. “Our state and society need these professionals. Students pursue health careers to serve others and enhance our quality of life, and we are excited to partner with Simpson to create more opportunities for these aspiring students.”
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
DMU holds a similar agreement with Benedictine University in Illinois, announced in June, where students have access to concurrent degrees, guaranteed interviews and reserved slots.
Guaranteed interviews to be considered for DMU’s doctor of osteopathic medicine, doctor of physical therapy, doctor of biomedical sciences, master of science in physician assistant studies, master of science in anatomy and master of science in biomedical sciences programs will be offered to qualifying Simpson students.
Qualifying students will be able to work on earning degrees at both Simpson and DMU through new concurrent degree programs, according to the release. Simpson students hoping to gain a doctor of occupational therapy, master of health care administration or master of public health degree can apply starting in the summer between their sophomore and junior years, with the caveat of them needing to be on the path to have 90 coursework credits completed by the end of their junior year.
Rather than waiting until they’ve finished their undergraduate degree at Simpson before applying to DMU, the news release stated that these programs will allow students to finish their bachelor’s degree and start working toward more credentials at the same time.
DMU will also reserve one seat each in its doctor of podiatric medicine and doctor of occupational therapy programs, with students chosen based on their grade-point average, academic achievements, observational and work experience and recommendations from Simpson faculty, according to the release.
Students interested in the program should reach out to either universities’ admissions departments, the release stated.
“This is a huge win for everyone involved, most importantly our students seeking to thrive and make a vital impact as health care professionals across Iowa and beyond,” Simpson College President Jay Byers said in the release. “As Simpson continues to grow its distinctive excellence in the health sciences, we are grateful for this incredible opportunity to provide our graduates with enhanced access to the outstanding programs offered by our partners at DMU.”
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.