Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, and Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences in West Des Moines, Iowa, have announced a new partnership designed to create streamlined pathways for students pursuing advanced degrees in health care and biomedical sciences.
Effective Jan. 1, this collaboration establishes formal interview guarantees and dual-degree programs across a wide range of medical disciplines. Under the new agreement, CSC students who meet specific academic benchmarks — including GPA and standardized test requirements — are guaranteed interviews for several of DMU’s competitive graduate programs. This includes opportunities in:
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
- PhD in Biomedical Sciences
A highlight of the partnership is the 3+3 partnership for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. This pathway allows qualified CSC students to begin their studies at DMU after their junior year, concurrently earning credit toward both their undergraduate degree at CSC and their doctorate at DMU. Additionally, one seat in the OTD program is reserved annually for the most competitive applicant from CSC.
Similar concurrent credit opportunities are available for students interested in the Master of Public Health and Master of Health Care Administration programs, allowing up to 22 credit hours to be transferred back to CSC.
“Our partnership with Chadron State reflects a shared commitment between our two schools to support student success and address the growing demand for highly skilled health care professionals,” says Kimberly Brown, PhD, MEd, vice president for academic and student affairs at DMU. “We are committed to the development of quality programs and services that benefit our students and the broader health care community.”
Candidates must maintain strong academic standing, typically requiring science and cumulative GPAs of 2.8 to 3.5, depending on the degree program. The agreement is set to remain in effect through Sept. 30, 2030, with options for future extensions.
“Chadron State College has a strong reputation for graduating students who are well-prepared for success in the health professions,” says Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly, DHEd, MSW, MBA, MS, vice president for academic affairs at CSC. “We are delighted to partner with DMU to provide new pathways for our graduates wishing to develop into highly competent and compassionate health professionals who will make a difference in the communities they serve.”
For more information about DMU’s programs and admissions requirements, visit dmu.edu. To learn more about Chadron State College, visit csc.edu.