Academic Programs Summary

Patient-centered learning in the sciences. Team-oriented, interdisciplinary, hands-on experiences in the art of patient care. The colleges and academic programs at Midwestern University skillfully blend these critical components into the outstanding professional education that will take you into successful 21st century health care practice.

Downers Grove (IL) Campus

Osteopathic Medicine
The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, more than a century old and the founding college of Midwestern University, develops osteopathic physicians as both scientists and practitioners of the healing arts who regard the body as an integrated whole. With an approach that underscores the osteopathic commitment to patient-oriented versus disease-oriented health care, D.O.s treat their patients as unique persons with biological, social, and psychological needs.

Pharmacy
The Chicago College of Pharmacy prepares pharmacists who will serve an aging U.S. population that increasingly depends upon drug therapies to improve and extend their quality of life. CCP graduates choose careers in community pharmacies, hospitals, educational institutions, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and managed care organizations.

Physician Assistant Studies
As part of the College of Health Sciences, the Physician Assistant Studies program trains physician assistants who are licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. PA graduates work in group practices, solo practices, hospitals, and areas identified as medically underserved. Most focus on primary care, with additional responsibilities in teaching, research, and administration.

Physical Therapy
The Physical Therapy program in the College of Health Sciences develops practitioners to deliver care that improves function and minimizes disability. Physical therapists provide screening, education, referral, and consultation in hospitals, orthopedic and sports medicine outpatient clinics, pediatrics, geriatrics, and rehabilitation hospitals and clinics. PTs also promote wellness and disease prevention in community settings.

Occupational Therapy
The Occupational Therapy program, part of the College of Health Sciences, offers a strong science background in anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, and kinesiology, combined with therapeutic modalities, to help people learn or relearn skills they need to be able to function in everyday life.

Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical Sciences students in the College of Health Sciences prepare to continue their education at a professional school, including the postbaccalaureate programs in medicine, pharmacy, and health sciences at MWU. They also use their skills to pursue professions in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals by working in research laboratories, governmental and regulatory agencies, or in undergraduate teaching.

Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology, a program in the College of Health Sciences, emphasizes the development of essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills necessary for practice in a wide array of occupational roles and professional settings. Graduates find satisfaction working in outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment clinics, schools, social service agencies, research and testing services, and management consulting firms.

Health Sciences Doctorate
The Doctor of Health Sciences program in the College of Health Sciences prepares occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other licensed health professionals to become leaders in the areas of clinical research, academia, and clinical practice, allowing graduates to make valuable contributions to society, health care, and the profession through advocacy, education, and scholarship.

Glendale (AZ) Campus

Osteopathic Medicine
The Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, established in 1995 to meet the growing need for physicians in the United States, emphasizes a problem-based didactic curriculum and extensive early preceptor experiences that prepare graduates for rigorous clinical rotations. Using the same osteopathic principles of patient-oriented care found at its sister college in Illinois, AZCOM alumni provide patients with the most comprehensive, holistic care available.

Pharmacy
The College of Pharmacy–Glendale takes an innovative approached to pharmacy education through a full-time, year-round, three-year program that allows quicker entry into professional careers. Academically challenging, this successful program uses a team learning approach and a variety of patient care and clinical rotations to create highly skilled pharmacists who find positions in community, hospital, governmental, and managed care organizations.

Physician Assistant Studies
The Physician Assistant Studies program in the College of Health Sciences prepares professionals who are both practicing clinicians and patient advocates. The rigorous MWU program immerses students in basic and clinical sciences, encourages community service, and features extensive clinical rotations.

Physical Therapy
The Physical Therapy program, part of the College of Health Sciences, develops practitioners to deliver care that improves function and minimizes disability through screening, education, referral, and consultation in hospitals, orthopedic and sports medicine outpatient clinics, pediatrics, geriatrics, and rehabilitation hospitals and clinics, as well as promoting wellness and disease prevention in community settings.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy in the College of Health Sciences prepares therapists to help people learn or relearn skills they need to function in everyday life, regardless of disability.

Bioethics
The Bioethics program in the College of Health Sciences offers health professionals a option for expanding their knowledge in this specialized, in-demand field as a way to improve career opportunities and augment their roles in health care administration. MWU students may also pursue Bioethics as part of a dual-degree program.

Health Professions Education
Educating the next generation of health care educators is the goal of the Health Professions Education program in the College of Health Sciences. Health professionals can augment their knowledge, improve career opportunities, and develop their roles in health care administration. MWU students may also pursue Health Professions Education as part of a dual-degree program.

Biomedical Sciences

Master of Biomedical Sciences — Glendale
Master of Arts in Biomedical Science — Glendale
Bachelor of Biomedical Science — Glendale
Master of Biomedical Sciences — Downers Grove

For students planning to apply to medical school or other health professions programs or for those interested in seeking employment in scientific or research occupations, the MWU Biomedical Sciences programs in the College of Health Sciences provide solid preparation. Complete your undergraduate degree or pursue graduate training in the field.

Cardiovascular Science / Perfusion
The Cardiovascular Science / Perfusion program in the College of Health Sciences teaches the technological services and skills to support or substitute for patient cardiopulmonary function during heart-related surgeries and procedures such as blood salvaging, artificial hearts, and cardiac pacemakers.

Podiatric Medicine
The Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (AZPOD) prepares professionals to diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and leg. AZPOD takes advantage of the growing demographics of the Southwestern U.S.—it's home to many professional and amateur athletes and elderly persons who need quality podiatric care.

Nurse Anesthesia
Nurse anesthetists are anesthesia specialists, administering approximately 65 percent of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients annually. MWU's program in the College of Health Sciences trains professionals to collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other health care professionals to provide obstetrical, surgical, and trauma stabilization.

Dental Medicine
The College of Dental Medicine-Arizona on the Glendale Campus opened its doors in 2008 with a curriculum that includes coursework in the basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences; preclinical simulation studies; practical clinical dentistry; and community clinical rotations. The College promotes evidence-based critical inquiry, allowing for a preventive, minimally invasive clinical orientation, emphasizing research and service in the practice of dentistry.

Clinical Psychology
The Clinical Psychology program in the College of Health Sciences follows a practitioner/scholar model of training, where competent practitioners hold extensive understanding of theoretical and scientific principles in the clinical practice of psychology and can use the knowledge in specific clinical situations. The curriculum emphasizes competence in relationship, assessment, intervention, research and evaluation, consultation and education, management and supervision, and diversity.

Optometry
The Arizona College of Optometry (AZCOPT) welcomes its inaugural class in the fall of 2009. Through face-to-face instruction and early clinical settings, the four-year professional curriculum will help prepare optometrists to provide exemplary patient care, serve the vision health and eye care needs of the public, and improve the well-being of society, including our aging population and underserved areas.

Our dedicated and caring faculty will challenge you to improve your technical skills as they encourage you to focus on your patients. Classmates and professional colleagues share your labs, rotations, and practice experiences and support you in ways that help you appreciate the benefits of collaboration and teamwork.

Midwestern University. Tomorrow's health care team.