TCU, UNT Health Science Center Announce Fort Worth Medical School
Speaking as a graduate of Texas Christian University's Schieffer School of Journalism, it's a great time to be a Horned Frog!
TCU and the University of North Texas Health Science Center are teaming up to open a new medical school in the heart of Fort Worth.
The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding detailing a collaboration between the two academic institutions to open an medical school with as many as 60 new students in 2018.
Private donors have already pledged about $25 million to start the new medical school, said UNTHSC President Michael R. Williams. TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini said the university has pledged to use $50 million from its endowment to support the effort.
The response to the new medical school has been overwhelming, according to Boschini.
The University of North Texas Board of Regents approved the agreement at the July 6th board meeting. TCU's board had previously approved the plan.
The M.D. school will give Fort Worth two medical schools. UNTHSC has been home to the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine since 1970 and will continue to operate at the campus just west of downtown.
According to Williams, "There's nothing wrong with having two medical schools in the same town."
Fort Worth is the largest city in the Unites States without a school that offers an M.D. degree.
The two institutions will share facilities, faculty, medical library and other resources to create the school, which will ultimately enroll a total of 240 students by 2021-22.
The name of the school has yet to be determined, but officials said it will include a reference to both institutions.
A dean for the school - who would provide leadership, hire faculty and develop a curriculum of study - will be selected by both institutions and report to provosts at both schools.
"Having a medical school ... it's the next step for us," said Boschici, explaining that the creation of a medical school satisfies two of the university's long-term goals - to increase the number of graduate students and to boost the school's academic profile."
Both leaders said the partnership makes sense because the institutions share similar values.
“We just don’t have a football team,” Williams said.
Yes. It is definitely a great time to be a Horned Frog.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
When will the school open?
The medical school will begin accepting applications in fall 2017 and classes will begin in fall 2018. Classes will be taught at both campuses, which are less than three miles apart.
Does the school need approval from the state?
No approval is needed from the state because it will be a private school and will not need state funding.
Which school will award the degrees?
While the M.D. school will be managed by both schools, the degrees will not contain the name of UNTHSC. Legislation authored by then-Sen. Mike Moncrief in 1993 stipulated that no M.D. program could be awarded by UNTHSC.
How many students will be in the school?
The first class will have 60 students and enrollment is expected to reach 240 by 2021-2022.
Will tuition rates be raised at either university?
No, the tuition for current students at both institutions will not be raised by the creation of the M.D. school. The tuition of the M.D. school has yet to be determined.
What about faculty?
Existing faculty at both universities will be used and the dean will be in charge of new hires.
