Des Moines University partners with Baylor University for certain advanced degrees

Des Moines University is working with a Texas institution to bring students interested in furthering their healthcare education to Iowa to complete their advanced degrees.

The health sciences university announced in a news release Wednesday it has entered into a partnership with Baylor University in Texas to offer its students reserved seats and interviews into certain programs.

“Strategic partnerships like this one enable us to broaden opportunities for aspiring health care professionals while strengthening the educational pipeline into critical health care fields,” said Kimberly Brown, vice president for academic and student affairs at Des Moines University, in the release. “We are excited to collaborate with Baylor University to support student success and create clear pathways into graduate health sciences education.”

Five seats in Des Moines University’s doctor of podiatric medicine program will be reserved annually for qualifying students in Baylor’s master of science in medical science program, the release stated. Eligible Baylor students will also be able to apply and interview for doctorate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, osteopathic medicine and philosophy in biomedical sciences at DMU, as well as the university’s master of science in physician assistant studies.

The partnership went into effect in July, according to the release.

Jacob Brewer, program director of Baylor’s master’s program in medical science, said in the release the DMU partnership “extends our commitment to turning what could be a purely transactional educational experience into genuine transformation for our Baylor graduate students.”

“By creating clear pathways from Baylor’s medical science program into DMU’s excellent professional programs, we help aspiring health care leaders develop not only the rigorous academic foundation they need, but also the self-awareness, compassion and readiness to meet the real-world needs of patients and communities,” Brewer said in the release.