Accelerated Programs

These programs offer a unique opportunity for outstanding high school students who are fairly certain of the career path and wish to complete their pre-professional and professional education in seven years.

Wilkes University has developed affiliations with health professions schools in osteopathic medicine, optometry, physical therapy and podiatric medicine. These programs permit students to spend three years at Wilkes in the basic sciences and liberal arts and four years at the affiliated health professions school.

Eligible candidates must apply to Wilkes University by Dec. 15 of their senior year in high school. Students should have a high GPA and a high rank in their high school graduating class. The University has developed seven-year doctoral programs with the following institutions:

• Pennsylvania College of Optometry - Salus University (PCO) - 3+4
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) - 3+4
• Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) - 3+4
• Widener University Institute for Physical Therapy Education (WU-IPTE) – 3+3

Students must go through the formal application process for their specialty program of interest. Qualified students will then be notified by their professional school of interest of the guaranteed interview date.

If accepted by the professional school, following successful completion of the first year of basic science education at the health professions school, Wilkes will transfer 36 credits in the basic sciences and confer upon each student the Wilkes University baccalaureate degree.

If not accepted by professional school, students will become a traditional four-year student at Wilkes University. Students will reapply to any programs of choice following the completion of their junior year.

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