WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (August 18, 2025) — Des Moines University (DMU) Medicine and Health Sciences and Mercy College of Health Sciences have entered into a new partnership that opens doors for Mercy students seeking graduate and, in some cases, dual-credit pathways into DMU's full range of advanced health sciences programs.
Effective August 2025, Mercy students who meet academic benchmarks are eligible for streamlined interview consideration at DMU in the following programs:
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- Master of Biomedical Sciences
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
- Master of Health Care Administration
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Science in Anatomy
- Interdisciplinary PhD in Biomedical Sciences
"This partnership builds a bridge for motivated students who want to advance their health care education," says Angela L Walker Franklin PhD, DMU president and CEO. "By working with Mercy College of Health Sciences, we are helping shape a stronger health care workforce for Iowa."
Mercy students who meet established GPA thresholds, prerequisite coursework and application timelines will receive an interview invitation to their program of interest if they fulfill the admissions criteria set by DMU.
"Our partnership with Des Moines University opens new doors for students who feel called to pursue terminal degrees and make a lasting impact in health care," says Adreain Henry OD EdD MBA, president of Mercy College of Health Sciences.
"This collaboration reflects our shared mission to prepare compassionate, highly-skilled professionals and establishes clear pathways to advanced degrees — strengthening Iowa's health-care workforce and keeping talent right here in our state."
The partnership illustrates both institutions' commitment to improving access to advanced health-care education while maintaining rigorous academic and professional standards.
For more information about DMU's programs and admissions requirements, visit dmu.edu. To learn more about Mercy College of Health Sciences, visit mchs.edu.
Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa's capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers ten 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.
