The University of the Incarnate Word, a longtime leader in healthcare education, has announced a new initiative available to outstanding high school seniors with strong academic ability seeking advanced degrees in nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry or medicine. UIW’s new Direct Admit Health Professions Program provides provisional admission into one of the university’s professional programs for Texas high school seniors ranking in the top five percent of their class after their junior year.

Students can choose from the following professional programs:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) – Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
• Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) – Rosenberg School of Optometry
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) – School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) – Feik School of Pharmacy
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) – School of Physical Therapy

The initiative features an added bonus to help students attain their goals – a $2500 scholarship per year for full-time study, renewable for up to eight years. This scholarship is in addition to any UIW academic award for which the student is eligible and continues into the professional program. Students will be required to maintain an acceptable GPA to continue in the program and will also be required to complete a program interview by the respective professional school.

“The UIW Direct Admit program will grant highly qualified students the opportunity to jump-start their careers in the health professions by allowing them to focus on learning instead of stressing over trying to get accepted into a healthcare program,” said Dr. Lou Agnese, UIW president.  “We want our students to concentrate on getting the finest education possible to ensure they are prepared to meet the growing need for healthcare providers in our state.”

Students whose high schools do not record student rankings or those who are homeschooled may still qualify for the Direct Admit Health Professions Program if they meet certain criteria. For more information on the program, visit www.uiw.edu/healthprofessions.