USI, UE finalize new pathways for advanced health science degrees
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The University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville are finalizing the process for USI students to gain direct entry admission into UE’s advanced health science programs. USI undergraduates in Exercise Science, Biology and Pre-Medical Sciences Certificate—regardless of major—can now apply to reserve spots in UE’s Master of Science in Athletic Training and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.
Renee Frimming, USI professor and department chair of kinesiology and sport, told Inside INdiana Business a meeting was held in December to clarify the pathway details.
“We’re strengthening the options for students to stay in the Evansville community,” she said. “It’s a win for both universities.”
USI health science students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher by the end of their sophomore year may apply for direct entry into UE’s MSAT and DPT programs. Bethany Huebner, UE associate professor and department chair of physical therapy and PhD in health professions, said the goal is to provide various avenues for students to choose their careers.
“It’s hard to decide what you want to do for your profession so early and having some experiences and classes under your belt can help guide you to that path. We want to make sure we’re open and have availability to students on those different trajectories,” she said.
Huebner spoke to Inside INdiana Business about the benefits of the collaboration.
The UE/USI partnership allows students to secure the next step in their occupational journey and potentially retain more health science workers in the community.
“We’re reflecting our commitment to supporting student success not only during their time at USI but as they transition to advanced programs and professional careers,” said Frimming.
Getting started
Huebner and Jeff Tilly, UE director and assistant professor of the MSAT program and chair of the health sciences school, said they’ve been contemplating new pathways for advanced health science degrees for some time.
“It started from that perspective of wanting to find ways to continue to boost getting more health care professionals in the area and staying in the area,” Huebner said.
Frimming’s idea for a direct-entry partnership stemmed from Tilly’s visits to USI’s kinesiology and sport club, where he would present graduate school opportunities at UE.
“I get asked [about a direct-entry pathway] a lot with prospective students,” said Frimming. “So one day when [Tilly] came to meet with our students at the club, I said, ‘What do you think about this idea?’ And he’s like, ‘I think this will work.’”
Tilly suggested formulating an agreement to make the new health science pathways official.
“Why don’t we write something out? So there’s a direct-entry process for [USI] students into both of [UE’s] programs, so there could be some clear lines on what the students need to do,” Tilly said.
Direct-entry admission
To apply for UE’s advanced health science programs, USI students must submit a direct-entry application with transcripts and be interviewed by a faculty member. MSAT candidates must also submit a personal statement, résumé and recommendation from a USI faculty member.
After USI students apply for direct entry at UE, they must maintain a 3.5 GPA while completing their degree. DPT prospects must also complete science prerequisites with a 3.35 GPA.
“If you’re a junior at USI and you have a good GPA and you’ve worked hard for three years, then that just gives you a mindset that, ‘Hey, I’ve got a place in one of those programs and I still need to continue to do my work,’” said Tilly.
The MSAT is a two-year program while the DPT program is three years—nine semesters including summers—of professional study and clinical training. Tilly said the number of USI students admitted to the programs is flexible, and applications will be handled on a rolling basis for now.
“Both programs are competitive, the physical therapy side and the athletic training side. I think we have delegated five spots in athletic training for USI students and two in the DPT program,” said Tilly. “That’s what’s on paper. But if we get more students in either program, I think we’ll take them.”
‘They have a track’
For USI students, direct entry to UE’s advanced health science programs means they don’t need to apply to other programs. The undergraduates can relax with the knowledge that they have a plan after graduation.
“They can concentrate on their studies. They can be rest assured they have a track to matriculate into a graduate program, and it allows them to stay focused on their coursework, be able to be a college student and save a little bit of money in that transition,” said Huebner.
By opening more pathways for students and supporting their endeavors, the universities help satisfy the demand for more local health science professionals. Keeping undergraduates in the area to learn additional skills will conceivably translate to their future employment in the community.
“It helps businesses in health care around here because we’re recruiting more students from Evansville that have gone to school here and the potential for them to stay in the city and help us with some shortages,” Tilly said.
“We see all the time in the data around this area and even in rural areas as we expand across southern Illinois, into northern Kentucky, southern Ohio, the need for health care professionals is growing,” added Huebner. “This partnership strengthens both universities’ role in advancing health science education in the region.”
Future collaborations
USI and UE also collaborate with other universities to create pathway opportunities. USI works with Chengdu Sport University, Logan University, Sullivan University, Manchester University and the Indiana University School of Medicine. UE’s university partners include North Eastern Electric Power University, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Vellore Institute of Technology and Jindal Global University.
Huebner said UE is working on another pathway partnership, but details have not been finalized. In addition, Tilly believes the USI/UE alliance could reverse course in the future.
“Down the road, I think we’ll have some other partnerships with USI where our students can move into their master’s programs or doctorate programs once they reserve a space,” he said.
Since the universities share a common goal of attracting good students, Tilly sees nothing but opportunities for each institution moving forward.
“As enrollments across the board are declining, we have to think of better ways to get quality students in programs and to think about it differently and pivot and look at other schools and say, ‘They have great students. Let’s combine some programs and let’s benefit each other and benefit the city of Evansville as well,’” he said.