MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Tech and the Burrell College of Health Sciences are pleased to announce a new partnership that unites the impact of both distinguished institutions into an accelerated pathway toward becoming a doctor of osteopathic medicine.
For students eligible to participate, the articulation agreement will shorten a four-year Florida Tech Bachelor of Science degree (BS) to three years, after which they will attend Burrell for the full four years to earn their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO).
Applicants must submit a personal statement on why they wish to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine as well as two letters of recommendation.
Once accepted, program participants must maintain a cumulative science and overall grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale to be calculated at the end of each academic year during the initial three years of the seven-year program. Other criteria include achieving a score of 500 on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) taken prior to starting at Burrell and accruing relevant medical, non-medical and community volunteer hours during the program.
Applications for initial acceptance into the BS-DO program will be submitted through Florida Tech’s admissions portal starting the first business day in June and no later than the last business day in March prior to the first year of freshman enrollment at Florida Tech.
“The program will allow driven, goal-oriented and academically prepared premedical students to start their education with Florida Tech, knowing they have a direct path to medical school,” said Brian Ehrlich, Florida Tech’s vice president of enrollment management. “They will receive special advising and experiences across their undergraduate education in collaboration with Burrell to prepare them for starting medical school a year early.”
Tammy Fowler, Ed.D., vice president of student services at Burrell College, said the BS-DO partnership reflects both institutions’ commitment to bring innovation and student-centered pathways to the development of future physicians.
“By aligning undergraduate and medical education, we are creating a seamless transition that benefits both students and the communities they will ultimately serve,” she said. “The program also strengthens our incoming cohorts by enrolling highly motivated and well-prepared students who are committed to pursuing a DO degree.”
