BECKLEY, W.Va — A new partnership between WVU Tech and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine aims to better prepare Tech students for medical school.
The institutions signed an official agreement earlier this month agreeing to work together to give opportunities for WVSOM pre-osteopathic students. This will help biology, chemistry and chemical engineering students define their path into medicine.
“We are noted for our student success in chemistry and biology,” said WVU Tech Campus Provost, Dr. Nigel Clark. “This agreement for early acceptance into the osteopathic school will encourage our high-performing students to plan their professional studies well in advance, providing a great start to a successful career path in medicine.”
Eligible students will be assigned a WVSOM faculty adviser. As long as that student maintains a 3.4 GPA or higher, they might be admitted into the WVSOM program before completion of their undergraduate degree at WVU Tech. They may also be able to receive an expedited application review and early admission interview.
Dr. Clark says it is becoming increasingly common for community colleges to partner with multiple academic institutions.
“I believe that these bachelors to masters, bachelors to professional degree arrangements are going to become even more common.”
WVSOM President Michael D. Adelman, D.O. said in a recent press release the partnership is a “win-win” educational situation.
“We are very pleased to have WVU Tech as one of our partners for WVSOM’s pre-osteopathic program. It allows for early identification of the best and brightest students who have an interest in osteopathic medicine, and lets us provide guidance and mentorship to prepare them for the rigors of medical school,” he said.
WVU Tech is newly relocated in downtown Beckley. A part of the West Virginia University system, the school offers over 40 academic programs. It is consistently ranked first in West Virginia for student return on investment. Classes for the school’s inaugural semester in Beckley will begin August 16.
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is located in Lewisburg. It is fully accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association.
More information about the partnership is available by visiting wvutech.edu.