UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
AND
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE
ACCELERATED BINARY DEGREE PROGRAM AGREEMENT
The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM), Biddeford, Maine, and Springfield College (SC), Springfield, Massachusetts hereby agree to cooperate in providing an accelerated curriculum leading to consideration for early admission to UNECOM and the awarding of a Baccalaureate Degree from SC upon successful conclusion of the first year curriculum at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Students participating in the Accelerated Binary Degree Program shall be required to successfully complete a minimum of 90 semester hours at SC, which must include all General Education Requirements, all the requirements of the undergraduate major not waived by this agreement, and the following pre-osteopathic medicine core curriculum:
Biology 8 semester hours
General Chemistry 8 semester hours
Organic Chemistry 8 semester hours
Biochemistry 3 semester hours
Physics 8 semester hours
English Composition and 6 semester hours
Literature
In addition to these courses, each participating student must meet the following requirements:
1. Students should declare their intention to enter the accelerated program by notifying the Springfield College Premedical Professions Advisory Committee, and their advisor by the end of their Sophomore year.
2. Students should apply to UNECOM by September 15 of their Junior year. They will undergo the regular admissions process as described in the UNECOM catalog.
3. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 overall and in the sciences on a 4.0 scale, and a grade of at least B- or better in all courses required by the major. SC’s published course repeat policy will NOT apply to the calculation of the cumulative grade point averages for the purposes of this agreement.
4. Students must successfully complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) with an overall score of 23 and at least an “M” on the written section. Students must take the MCAT no later then August immediately preceding their Junior year.
5. Students must receive a favorable letter of recommendation form the SC Pre-professional Advisory Committee.
6. Students must successfully complete all junior year courses.
The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine hereby agrees to cooperate as follows:
1. To interview students that have been evaluated and recommended by the SC Pre-professional Advisory Committee to assure mutual acceptance of candidates.
2. To hold until April 2 seats offered to SC students. After that date, these seats will be released to the general applicant pool.
3. To provide SC an official transcript of each student’s work at the completion of the first year curriculum at UNECOM.
4. To publicize the existence of this program in appropriate UNECOM recruitment materials.
Springfield College of Springfield, Massachusetts hereby agrees to cooperate as follows:
1. To actively recruit outstanding students to participate in the program.
2. To award the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree to participants successfully completing the first year curriculum at UNECOM with a cumulative grade point average of “C” or better over at least 30 semester hours of course work.
3. To publicize the existence of this program in the SC Undergraduate Catalog and all related recruitment publications that focus on Science and /or Premedical Professions curricula.
Both institutions agree as follows:
1. To perform an annual review of the pre-osteopathic medicine and other pre-professional programs, including the respective curricula.
2. To provide not less than one year’s notice of intent to terminate the agreement.
3. To honor their responsibilities under this agreement during the period of notice, should the agreement be terminated.
4. This binary degree program does not prohibit SC from entering into similar proposals with other osteopathic medicine programs outside the State of Maine or UNECOM from entering into similar agreements with other colleges or universities within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
5. The parties agree and warrant that in the performance of this agreement they will not discriminate nor permit discrimination against any person or groups of persons on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, or sex in any manner prohibited by federal, state and/or local law and regulations, and further that they will make their programs available to qualified individuals with disabilities consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Admission to UNECOM is highly competitive. Candidates should therefore be aware that completion of the above criteria will favor, but cannot guarantee acceptance to the medical program. Students who are not successful in their application to the accelerated binary program are encouraged to consider reapplying for admission upon completion of their undergraduate degree.
Approvals
For the University of New England
Stephen C. Shannon, D.O, M.P.H.
Dean, University of New England
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Sandra Featherman, Ph.D
President, University of New England
Patricia A. Kelley
Associate Dean of Students
University of New England
College of Osteopathic Medicine
For Springfield College
Mary D. Healey, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Arts/Sciences and Professional Studies.
Jean A. Wyld, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs
Draft August 16, 2005
For information contact:
Joseph Berger, Ph.D.
Chair of the Pre-professional Committee
Biology/Chemistry Department
Springfield College
Hickory Hall
Springfield, MA 01109
email: jberger@spfldcol.edu
(413) 748-3457
Updated: 11/01/2006
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