On Nov. 8, Rockhurst University and Kansas City University (KCU) officially inked a partnership agreement, creating an accelerated pathway for incoming students to earn their undergraduate and medical degrees in seven years.
The Rockhurst University-Kansas City University Early Acceptance Program (ROKC-EAP) will officially launch in the fall of 2025. This initiative, designed to address growing demands in the healthcare industry, offers high school students an opportunity to earn a seat in one of three programs at KCU upon their acceptance to Rockhurst: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and Master of Health Science – Anesthesiologist Assistant (MHS-AA).
According to the partnership agreement, the program allocates 25 seats annually for DO students, 10 for DMD students and 5 for MHS-AA candidates. Students will be chosen based on an application and interview process.
Selected students will complete their undergraduate degree at Rockhurst while adhering to GPA and coursework requirements for the program, eventually transitioning directly into KCU’s programs to finish their graduate schooling.
The agreement will also include automatic acceptance into dual-degree MBA programs in Health Care Leadership for students pursuing DO or DMD pathways.
This partnership has also set its sights on fostering diversity and access to health care education. KCU President and CEO Marc B. Hahn, DO, emphasized the program’s inclusivity in an interview with Rockhurst.
“This program is going to expand opportunities for students who come from widely diverse backgrounds through this early admissions program, helping to create a more inclusive health care workforce for Missouri, for Kansas, and, really, for the broader region and the nation,” Hahn said.
The initiative also closely aligns with Rockhurst’s many Jesuit ideals, particularly the core value of Cura Personalis, or “care for the whole person.”
“Students who complete this program will bring a deeper understanding of the human condition to their professional lives in health care,” Rockhurst President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D. said in an interview with Rockhurst.
Beyond the accelerated pathway, the partnership will also introduce a post-baccalaureate program at Rockhurst to support students pursuing medical careers after earning their undergraduate degrees. This program will focus on enhancing career readiness and meeting specific prerequisites for medical school.
The ROKC-EAP is one of many anticipated partnerships for Rockhurst as the exploration of joining forces with other graduate schools is discussed.
Earlier this semester, Rockhurst also announced a partnership with the University of Missouri School of Law, offering students a streamlined path into legal education. The 3+3 program allows Rockhurst students to complete their undergraduate degree while securing admission to Mizzou to pursue a Juris Doctorate (J.D.), shortening the time to achieve both degrees.
The ROKC-EAP represents a significant step forward in medical education access, offering Rockhurst students a clear and accelerated path toward careers in health care. As the program launches in the fall, it will enhance students’ opportunities in health care and touch the lives of their future patients.
“Together, we are committed to making a meaningful impact — not only in Kansas City but across Missouri, Kansas, and beyond,” Hahn said.
