Osteopathic Intelligence Blog

Rockhurst University and Kansas City University (KCU) announced a new agreement that will provide high school graduates an accelerated pathway to earn a medical degree in just seven years. This collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing access to medical education in the Kansas City region.

The Rockhurst University-Kansas City University Early Acceptance Program (ROKC-EAP), starting in fall 2025, offers a unique opportunity for a cohort of up to 40 incoming freshman students. Upon their acceptance to Rockhurst University for undergraduate studies, students in the program can secure a place in one of three highly respected programs at KCU. Each year the following pathways are available:

· 25 seats in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program

· 10 seats in the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program

· 5 seats in the Master of Health Science – Anesthesiologist Assistant (MHS-AA) program

Qualified applicants will complete their undergraduate degree in biology while meeting GPA and other requirements at Rockhurst before transitioning to KCU.

In addition to medical degrees, the program offers two other opportunities: automatic acceptance into the Rockhurst University DO/MBA in Health Care Leadership dual degree program and pre-admission to the dual DMD/MBA in Health Care Leadership program for students pursuing the dental pathway.

The two institutions also agreed to establish a post-bachelor’s degree program, designed to enhance career readiness and educational enhancement in health sciences. The program will allow students who have completed their bachelor’s degree to take necessary coursework at Rockhurst University before pursuing their medical degree at KCU.

The initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of highly qualified health care leaders to meet the increasing demand for compassionate, community-centered providers nationwide.

“We are proud of the 80 percent medical school acceptance rate at Rockhurst,” said Sandra Cassady, PhD, president of Rockhurst University. “This program builds on that record of success with helping our students reach their goals in the medical field. And with their long history of serving the community and training highly qualified medical professionals, KCU is a perfect partner for this program.”

“We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Rockhurst University through the ROKC-EAP program,” said Marc B. Hahn, DO, president and CEO of KCU. “This collaboration allows us to identify and nurture outstanding students early in their academic journeys, supporting them as they pursue careers as physicians, dentists, and anesthesiologist assistants. Together, we are committed to making a meaningful impact — not only in Kansas City but across Missouri, Kansas, and beyond.” Learn more about ROKC-EAP here.