KCU Rural Health Scholars

The Kansas City University (KCU) Rural Health Scholars program is a specialized education pathway designed to expand access to health care careers for students from rural, medically-underserved counties in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

This unique initiative supports students in their journey to becoming physicians or dentists through an accelerated and structured academic track that spans three institutions — beginning at Allen Community College, followed by coursework at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) or Pittsburg State University (PSU), and culminating in a degree from either the KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) or College of Dental Medicine (KCU-CDM).

Students accepted into the KCU Rural Health Scholars program process through the following stages:

• Year 1: Complete the first year of college at Allen Community College after graduating from high school.
• Years 2-3: Upon meeting academic requirements, transfer to Pittsburg State University or Missouri Southern State University to continue the program.
• Dental/Medical School: Students who meet all academic and program requirements by the end of Year Two are eligible for an early admission interview with KCU-COM or KCU-CDM. Those accepted will return to PSU or MSSU to finish year three and then matriculate to KCU for medical or dental school.

To qualify for the KCU Rural Health Scholars program, students must:

• Graduate from a high school in a rural, medically underserved county in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma or Arkansas.

• Meet the following academic requirements:
  • Overall GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Math & Science GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Minimum ACT composite score of 24