EVMS, VWC sign admission agreement for master's programs
An agreement signed March 22 between Eastern Virginia Medical School and Virginia Wesleyan College (VWC) provides an enhanced opportunity for VWC students to earn graduate degrees in eight EVMS master’s programs.
The new EVMS Early Assurance Program gives admission preference to VWC students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in the fields of Physician Assistant, Surgical Assisting, Contemporary Human Anatomy, Laboratory Animal Science, Pathologist Assistant, Art Therapy, Biotechnology and Public Health.
The two institutions also offer a Joint Program in Medicine, established in 2003, which allows VWC students to apply for admission to Eastern Virginia Medical School during their sophomore year. Accepted students are guaranteed admission to EVMS upon completion of their bachelor’s degree at VWC.
"EVMS is pleased to partner with Virginia Wesleyan College, an outstanding institution with an excellent academic reputation,” says Richard Homan, MD, EVMS President and Provost, Dean of the School of Medicine. “We are excited to offer this educational opportunity to Virginia Wesleyan graduates. Many of our alumni choose to remain in Hampton Roads, so the community is the ultimate beneficiary of this new venture."
Dr. Homan and C. Donald Combs, PhD, Vice President and Dean of the School of Health Professions, visited the Virginia Wesleyan campus Wednesday for an official agreement signing event.
"This new agreement builds on an established foundation of collaboration between Eastern Virginia Medical School and Virginia Wesleyan College," says VWC President Scott D. Miller, PhD. "The Early Assurance Program provides outstanding opportunities for our students to gain preferential consideration at a premier school of medicine and health professions, recognized nationally for preparing the next generation of health-care providers with a strong community-oriented focus."
Early Assurance Program candidates will complete a program of enriching scientific and service experiences at Virginia Wesleyan, as well as academic advising directed toward admission to EVMS. Students who fit the admissions criteria may apply during their junior year at VWC. Selected students are assured of admission to EVMS during their senior year.
"We are delighted to have these new agreements with Virginia Wesleyan,” Dr. Combs says. “They broaden the pool of high quality students who are eligible to enter EVMS' health professions programs and, at the same time, offer Wesleyan students a clear pathway to professional practice. Both institutions seek to improve life in the communities that support us, and one of the best ways to ensure that is to have students are bright, energetic and oriented to public service in one way or another. That is the focus of these new agreements."
*Release courtesy of Virginia Wesleyan College