WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (August 28, 2023) — Des Moines University, located in West Des Moines, and Buena Vista University, in Storm Lake, Iowa, have announced a new partnership to create enhanced pathways for BVU 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 BVU students interested in a wide range of professional health careers navigate graduate health-science degrees. The pathways include options for concurrent degrees and guaranteed interviews for many DMU programs as well as reserved seats in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program.
Reserved OTD Seats
The partnership agreement reserves three seats annually for BVU students in DMU's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. The seats are available to the most competitive BVU students in terms of grade point average, demonstrated hours of relevant observational or work experiences, positive recommendations from BVU faculty, and other academic achievements.
Concurrent Degrees
Qualifying BVU students will be able to earn credits concurrently at BVU and in these DMU degree programs:
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Master of Health Care Administration
Master of Public Health
This arrangement allows students to complete their Bachelor's degree at Buena Vista through coursework at DMU — completing both degrees sooner rather than waiting until after receiving their undergraduate degree.
Guaranteed Interviews
BVU students who meet DMU's admission requirements are guaranteed interviews for consideration of admission to these DMU programs, so long as interview slots are available:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Doctor (Ph.D.) of Biomedical Sciences
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Science in Anatomy
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
"The partnership will benefit DMU, Buena Vista University, and Iowa by attracting academically-promising students into our programs and producing well-prepared professionals for medical and health science careers," says Angela L Walker Franklin PhD, DMU president and CEO. "Our society needs these professionals, and we are excited to partner with BVU to create more opportunities for students to take on these roles."
"Buena Vista University has a strong history of preparing undergraduates for successful careers in the health professions, and many of our students in the past have received their professional training at Des Moines University," says Brian Lenzmeier PhD, president of Buena Vista University. "I am pleased by this formalized agreement because it solidifies our relationship and lowers barriers and costs for students wishing to become health professionals. It is a win for students, for BVU, for DMU, and for the state of Iowa."
The partnership agreement takes effect immediately. Students interested in learning more are encouraged to contact their academic advisor at BVU or the BVU admissions team at admissions@bvu.edu or the DMU admissions team at admissions@dmu.edu.
