Arkansas State University and NYITCOM Partner to Create New Pathway to Becoming a Physician

Arkansas State University (A-State) and the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) have announced a new pathway called the “Freshman to Physician Pathway“ designed to make it easier for students to become physicians. This program gives students a direct path from their undergraduate studies at A-State to medical school, helping to reduce the barriers and costs involved in the application process.

Program Highlights

• A clear academic pathway: Students will pursue a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with a pre-medical track at A-State.
• MCAT exemption: One of the biggest benefits of the program is that students are not required to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) if they meet the necessary academic standards.
• Admission requirements: To qualify, students must maintain a 3.5 GPA in both science courses and overall coursework, complete all required pre-medical courses, receive a letter of recommendation from A-State's pre-medical advisory committee, and pass an admissions interview with NYITCOM faculty.
• Training physicians for Arkansas: The program is expected to help train more highly qualified physicians, particularly to serve areas of Arkansas facing healthcare workforce shortages.

Program Impact

According to Dr. Shane Speights, Dean of NYITCOM at Arkansas State, this partnership not only strengthens both institutions but, most importantly, helps create the next generation of high-quality physicians.

In addition, NYITCOM at A-State has similar partnership programs with other institutions, such as Henderson State University, to expand opportunities for students across the state of Arkansas. This program reflects A-State's commitment to contributing to the healthcare field, addressing physician shortages, and improving community health.