SPRINGFIELD, OH – Wittenberg University is excited to announce a new partnership with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in dentistry, medicine, and pharmacy. Under the signed agreements with LECOM’s Early Acceptance Programs (EAP) in the college’s dental school, medical college, and pharmacy program, five seats will be reserved for Wittenberg students in each of those programs upon successful completion of their undergraduate degree at Wittenberg.

Professor and Chair of Biology Matt Collier, who also serves as pre-health advisor, will be Wittenberg’s representative responsible for directing applications and admissions to the EAP.

“In bringing this pathway to Wittenberg, Dr. Matt Collier has made it possible and seamless for our qualified students to pursue their passions in these three areas of study,” said Brian Yontz, provost and professor of education at Wittenberg. “I am grateful for Dr. Collier’s leadership, and I am excited to see the doors that will open for our students through this wonderful collaboration.”

With campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Bradenton, Florida, and Elmira, New York, LECOM is the nation’s largest medical college and the only academic health center in the osteopathic profession. Student learning outcomes are focused on discipline knowledge, professionalism, and an osteopathic philosophy.

According to the agreement, LECOM will interview interested students prior to their enrollment at Wittenberg or within the first two years of study at Wittenberg. Students interviewing successfully will be offered a provisional acceptance to the LECOM Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, or Doctor of Dental Medicine program. Students accepted to the osteopathic medicine and pharmacy programs will matriculate to the LECOM campus of their choice, dependent upon space availability. Those accepted to the dental medicine program will matriculate at the LECOM Bradenton, Florida, campus.

The EAP includes two phases. Phase I consists of the time spent at Wittenberg, while Phase II is the time spent in medical, pharmacy, or dental school education while at LECOM and its clinical training sites.

The details of the agreement, including admission expectations and degree requirements, between Wittenberg University and LECOM can be found here. For more information, contact Professor and Chair of Biology and Pre-Health Advisor Matt Collier at mcollier@wittenberg.edu or the Office of Admission at 877-206-0332.

About Wittenberg: Wittenberg's curriculum has centered on the liberal arts as an education that develops the individual's capacity to think, read, and communicate with precision, understanding, and imagination. We are dedicated to active, engaged learning in the core disciplines of the arts and sciences and in pre-professional education grounded in the liberal arts. Known for the quality of our faculty and their teaching, Wittenberg has more Ohio Professors of the Year than any four-year institution in the state. The University has also been recognized nationally for excellence in community service, sustainability, and intercollegiate athletics. Located among the beautiful rolling hills and hollows of Springfield, Ohio, Wittenberg offers more than 100 majors, minors and special programs, enviable student-faculty research opportunities, a unique student success center, service and study options close to home and abroad, a stellar athletics tradition, and successful career preparation.

About LECOM: According to its website, the mission of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is to prepare students to become osteopathic physicians, pharmacy practitioners, and dentists through programs of excellence in education, research, clinical care, and community service to enhance the quality of life through improved health for all humanity. Serving as a guiding light and cornerstone in medical education and true to the core principles of its founders, LECOM has expanded its reach to include exceptional programs in graduate studies designed to provide scholars superlative education in the respective areas of study. The professional programs are dedicated to serve all students through innovative curriculum and the development of postdoctoral education and interprofessional experiences.