UIW and TLU Sign MOUs to Establish Health Professions Pathway for TLU Graduates

Agreements provide guaranteed interview slots for TLU graduates interested in pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, and osteopathic medicine programs at UIW

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) and Texas Lutheran University (TLU) announced they have entered into a series of memorandums of understanding (MOU) as part of UIW’s Health Professions Pathway. The MOUs pave the way for TLU students to further their education in four different areas of health professions by reserving interview slots for qualified students to have an opportunity to attend the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine, the Feik School of Pharmacy, the Rosenberg School of Optometry, and the UIW School of Physical Therapy. The two universities are also involved in ongoing discussions that could add a pathway to the new UIW Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

“This is an exciting new opportunity for our university, and most importantly, for TLU students who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in the health professions,” says TLU President Dr. Debbie Cottrell. “TLU’s student-centered approach as well as our focus on faculty-led research and experiential learning opportunities has prepared our students to be excellent candidates for professional schools and graduate schools. We look forward to sending our students through UIW’s Health Professions Pathway and know they will be a great addition to UIW’s cohorts in pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, and osteopathic medicine.”

“Today we celebrate a new partnership between UIW and TLU that reflects our shared commitment to shaping future professionals who serve their communities with deep expertise and compassion,” says Dr. Thomas M. Evans, UIW president. “We are proud to open doors of opportunity to qualified and well-prepared students, such as those from TLU, with the potential to thrive in UIW’s innovative and learner-centered osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, optometry and physical therapy programs.”

The agreement was made official at a signing held on the UIW campus on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Both university presidents shared their excitement to begin this new partnership with guests that included members of TLU's academic leadership and communications staff, as well as deans from UIW health professions schools. Dr. Evans recalled his first meeting with Dr. Cottrell at a Baptist Health Foundation event at St. Phillip's College, where he noted that both UIW and TLU are so close that the schools would be well served by a collaboration.

"As the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word are very fond of saying: 'thank you for saying yes'," said Dr. Evans to Dr. Cottrell during his remarks.

The UIW Health Professions Pathway for TLU students includes 10 interview slots for the School of Osteopathic Medicine, 10 interview slots for the Feik School of Pharmacy, two interview slots for the Rosenberg School of Optometry, and three interview slots for the School of Physical Therapy. Each MOU contains specific terms and criteria for application, selection, satisfactory progress during candidacy, interviews, and admission and can be found at The Texas Lutheran University Pre-Professional Health Programs website.