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Pitt State Biology Professor Mandy Peak-Bryan and director of AMP-UP speak at the press conference on Mar. 6. | Courtesy of PSU Media
Alyssa Tyler Editor-In-Chief
AMP-UP, new partnership to accelerate admitted student’s pathway to medical, dental degrees
Pittsburg State University and Kansas City University have announced a new partnership, AMP-UP (Accelerated Medical Path Undergraduate Program). Through this program, students admitted to the accelerated medical school and dental program will be able to save money and time while becoming healthcare professionals.
The press conference on Wednesday, March 6 announced the partnership to begin in Fall 2024. Students who meet the eligibility will apply for acceptance into AMP-UP in their freshman at Pitt State. KCU-Joplin will reserve up to 25 seats in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. While the College of Dental Medicine will reserve 10 seats admitted to KCU through this program.
“We’re very excited,” said Pitt State Biology Professor Mandy Peak-Bryan, director of AMP-UP. “This partnership has the potential to save eligible students a year of academic study and a year of tuition.”
After completing 90 hours, students accepted into the AMP-UP program can transition to KCU-Joplin for their final year.
After students complete their first year of medical or dental school, they will receive their bachelor’s degree. Leaving them to complete their final three years and receive their medical or dental degree.
“This partnership will save students a full year because they will begin their post-graduate work a year earlier than what a traditional pre-med or pre-dental undergraduate track allows,” Richard Schooler, a Pitt State graduate and vice president of KCU-Joplin said. “It is a very important collaborative effort between PSU and KCU to offer regional students a unique opportunity to complete college and their medical or dental education with a condensed pathway close to home.”
According to data released by the Journal of American Medical Association, KCU is the fifth largest medical in the nation by class size. And is the top producer of physicians for Missouri, while the second top producer of physicians for Kansas. And is overall ranked the ninth most impactful medical school addressing rural health care and primary health care needs in the nation.
Mindi Garner, DO and founder of the Pre-Meds with Promise program said that the AMP-UP program will be able to immerse Pittsburg State students with the medical community of Southeast Kansas.
“By immersing PSU students in our medical community earlier than usual, it will build strong relationships with Pittsburg area doctors and continue through their medical school studies close by in Joplin,” Garner said. “Doctors will be more likely to return home to work alongside their mentors who have nurtured them along the way to serve the people in Southeast Kansas.”
More information can be found at the following link: pittstate.edu/biology