Midwestern University

Midwestern University (MWU) is a graduate degree-granting institution specializing in the health sciences. The University operates two campuses in Downers Grove, IL and in Glendale, AZ. The total University student body numbers 4,662, with 2,082 based on the Downers Grove Campus and 2,580 based on the Glendale Campus.

Midwestern University offers academic programs in a wide variety of health care professions through its colleges:

• Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Arizona College of Optometry
• Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Chicago College of Pharmacy
• College of Dental Medicine - Arizona
• College of Dental Medicine - Illinois
• College of Health Sciences
• College of Pharmacy - Glendale

To meet its mission, Midwestern University develops facilities, learning resources, and academic programs that meet or exceed the accreditation standards of its professional accrediting agencies. Providing the clinical experiences necessary to train the health care professionals of tomorrow requires Midwestern University to monitor and assess its clinical training sites. As faculties change and sites increase or decrease in clinical resources, there is always a need to cultivate new sites.

Midwestern University continues to respond to the predicted workforce shortages in the health care professions through planned and measured class size increases in many of its academic programs. With any proposed increase in class size, there is a corresponding need to increase the numbers of clinical rotation sites. In addition, both regions are committed to fully integrating the clinical training of third-year and fourth-year medical students with the postgraduate residency training programs. As new opportunities for clinical experiences present themselves, the colleges negotiate with the sites on behalf of Midwestern University as a whole.

The Executive Director of the MWU/OPTI coordinates the programs associated with both campus regions. Administrative and support personnel at each of the campuses evaluate and coordinate current training opportunities and assist with launching new programs. The fully-accredited Midwestern University/OPTI and its 15 partners currently offer postgraduate training opportunities in over 30 programs to 295 interns and residents.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602. The most recent accreditation action was January 14-16, 2008 at which time the University underwent a Comprehensive Review and was awarded 10 years of accreditation. The next action will be a full review in 2017/2018.