Des Moines University, Simpson Partner to Draw Students to Health Care Careers

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, located in West Des Moines, and Simpson College, in Indianola, Iowa, have announced a new comprehensive partnership to create enhanced pathways for Simpson students seeking medical and health sciences careers. The partnership will benefit students while helping build Iowa’s health care workforce.

The agreement is tailored to help Simpson students interested in health careers navigate graduate health science degrees. The pathways include guaranteed interviews for many DMU programs, options for concurrent degrees as well as reserved seats in the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree programs.

DMU encourages candidates from rural areas, low socioeconomic status backgrounds and underrepresented minorities to enter health careers.

“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,” says Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., DMU president and CEO. “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.”

Simpson President Jay Byers, J.D., shares Franklin’s enthusiasm for the partnership and its far-reaching value.

“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,” Byers says. “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.”

The DMU-Simpson partnership agreement offers students the following benefits:

Guaranteed Interviews 
Simpson students who meet DMU’s admission requirements are guaranteed interviews for consideration of admission to these DMU programs:

• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Doctor of Biomedical Sciences
• Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
• Master of Science in Anatomy
• Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences

Concurrent Degrees 
Qualifying Simpson students will be able to earn credits concurrently in their undergraduate Simpson degree program and these graduate programs at DMU:

• Doctor of Occupational Therapy
• Master of Health Care Administration
• Master of Public Health

Simpson students may begin applying to these DMU programs as early as the summer between their sophomore and junior years. At the conclusion of their junior year, they are expected to have completed 90 credit hours of coursework toward a bachelor’s degree.

This arrangement allows students to complete their bachelor’s degree at Simpson through coursework at DMU, enabling them to complete both degrees sooner rather than waiting until after receiving their undergraduate degree.

Reserved D.P.M., O.T.D. Seats 
The partnership agreement reserves one seat annually for Simpson students in each of DMU’s Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Doctor of Occupational Therapy programs. The seats are available to the most competitive Simpson students based on grade point average, demonstrated hours of relevant observational or work experience, positive recommendations from Simpson faculty and other academic achievements.

The partnership agreement takes effect immediately. Students interested in learning more are encouraged to contact their academic advisor at Simpson or the college’s admissions team at admiss@simpson.edu or the DMU admissions team at admissions@dmu.edu.

Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa’s capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers 10 graduate-level professional degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students’ scores on national examinations, pass rates on board certifications and match rates for medical residency programs are consistently higher than national averages and rates at peer institutions.