Scholars Programs
Rockhurst University offers premier early admission programs for students pursuing medical school, dental school, physician assistant (PA) programs, anesthesiologist assistant (AA) programs, pharmacy school, a law degree and more.
Pathways to your Graduate Goals
With a nationally recognized academic reputation, a holistic education approach, and dedicated advising,
Rockhurst University provides students with a competitive edge in securing early acceptance
to our graduate and professional school partners.
Rockhurst University Honors Program
Rockhurst University’s Honors Program empowers high-achieving students to take ownership of their education, regardless of major. With flexible, in-depth learning opportunities, honors students explore topics of interest at an advanced level across a wide range of courses and disciplines, giving them a competitive edge in their academic future.
Accelerated Graduate Programs at Rockhurst
When you are admitted to Rockhurst, you are admitted to the major you applied to as an entering student with no need to complete an additional application to declare your major. Additionally, we offer early admission/early assurance admission to our accelerated graduate-level programs in the College of Business and Technology and the Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, such as our Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees.
MEDICAL SCHOLARS
Pre-medical students work with their pre-health advisors to develop a course plan that prepares them for the medical school of their choice. Along the way, pre-med students have access to:
- Medical school application submitted one year earlier than traditional path students.
- Pre-Health Seminar Course: helps first-semester freshmen formulate a plan for successful admission to medical school.
- Rockhurst Pre-Health Committee: provides interview experience, application review and a committee letter of evaluation.
- RU Alumni Medical Network: connects current students to graduates in their field of interest.
- Pre-Health Canvas: opportunities for shadowing and volunteering, as well as resources for the medical school application process.
- Pre-health offerings outside of science courses, such as medical Spanish, medical humanities, business minor or double major, medicine in literature and more.
Accelerated BS-DO with KCU
Join the Accelerated Seven-Year Medical Program (BS-DO) and earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Molecular Biology from Rockhurst University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from Kansas City University—saving you a full year! In this program, students complete a 3-year undergraduate track followed by a 4-year DO program, combining education in molecular biology with holistic, osteopathic medical training.
Early Assurance Medical Partnerships
Earn your undergraduate degree at Rockhurst University and secure admission to medical school,
making RU Kansas City’s premier private university for pre-med success.
Apply for med school as early as your sophomore year.
AA, PA Master's Programs
Rockhurst University is the ideal place to launch your professional health career. With personalized advising, early admission opportunities, and strong partnerships with top medical schools, Rockhurst sets pre-health students on a clear path to success. Through hands-on experiences and specialized coursework, students acquire the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to excel in their future medical professions.
Anesthesiologist Assistant
The Accelerated 5.5-Year Anesthesiologist Assistant Program (BS-MHSAA) prepares students to earn a B.S. in Molecular Biology and a Master of Health Science in Anesthesiologist Assistant (MHS-AA) in under six years. Students will complete their undergraduate degree in three years from Rockhurst University and their MHS-AA in an additional 27 months from Kansas City University.
The UMKC School of Medicine offers an MSA Scholars program that gives early and guaranteed admission to college students interested in applying to the 2.5-year Master of Science in Anesthesia program. Students admitted to the MSA Scholars program complete their undergraduate degree at Rockhurst University before matriculating to UMKC.
Physician Assistant Early Assurance
UMKC School of Medicine PA Scholars Program
Rockhurst is a partner of UMKC's PA Scholars program, which provides early and guaranteed admission to students interested in a Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant program. With this program, students complete all PA school requirements. Students interested in the PA Scholars program will apply to UMKC at the end of their junior year.
Dental Scholar Partnerships
Rockhurst University partners with three universities to offer students early acceptance into dental school, allowing them to complete their DMD in as little as seven years.
Accelerated BS-DMD with KCU
After the three-year B.S. in Molecular Biology from Rockhurst University, the four-year DMD curriculum at KCU represents a philosophy that dentists are primary care clinicians capable of caring for underserved and/or vulnerable populations. The integrated curriculum is layered to enable continuous reinforcement of clinical and non-clinical skills throughout the program.
Dental Early Assurance Programs
The following programs offer early admission that you can apply for starting in your sophomore year at RU.
Pharmacy Scholars
An undergraduate degree from Rockhurst University, combined with a Doctor of Pharmacy from Regis University or Drake University, gives students a transformative education that seamlessly transitions them from classroom to career.
The Regis School of Pharmacy uses scientifically validated Team-Based Learning to help students develop superior knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Drake emphasizes patient care, team-based learning, creative thinking, and communication skills that help students become leaders, and the hands-on experiences they can gain in various fields of pharmacy.