WSU partnership will help address Kansas' physician shortage

Wichita State University has signed a new admissions partnership agreement with the Kansas Health Science Center-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSC-KansasCOM) that will help address Kansas’ physician shortage. This partnership comes on the heels of the recent groundbreaking ceremony of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a collaboration between WSU and the University of Kansas, adjacent to KHSC-KansasCOM.

The agreement allows a select number of Wichita State students to accelerate their career path with a 3+4 program. Qualified students who meet admission requirements will have the opportunity to begin their first year of medical school in their senior year of undergraduate studies at WSU. After completing their first year at KHSC-KansasCOM, they will receive their bachelor’s degree from WSU, thereby having the opportunity to complete both undergraduate work and a medical degree in seven years.

“The current physician shortage is projected to only worsen in the coming decades. We are dedicated to a multifaceted approach to improve the health in our state and have a lasting impact,” said Tiffany Masson, Psy.D., president of Kansas Health Science Center. “We are elated to partner with Wichita State University to build the physician workforce of the future through a dedicated 3+4 program, which trains a qualified workforce at an expedited pace while reducing debt for students who aspire to become a physician.”

KHSC-KansasCOM will reserve first-year seats, beginning in the fall of 2025, for WSU students who meet specific course requirements within their undergraduate program and admissions criteria at KHSC-KansasCOM. The students will have the opportunity to transition to the college in pursuit of their medical degree with the class of 2029.

Wichita State University provides multiple academic pathways — including hundreds of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral program offerings — all with rich applied learning experiences. Graduates leave WSU with a blend of theoretical knowledge and comprehensive practical application, ensuring they are exceptionally prepared to make immediate, meaningful contributions in the health field.

"At Wichita State, we are dedicated to developing innovative programs and partnerships that benefit our students and community," said Wichita State President Richard Muma. "This 3+4 agreement enables our students to fast-track their academic and career goals, address the medical care shortages in Kansas communities and enhance health outcomes for millions in our region."


About Wichita State University

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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