Health Professions Direct Admit Program
What is the Direct Admit Program at UIW?
UIW offers direct admit options for highly qualified first-time freshman students that can lead to advanced degrees in pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry or osteopathic medicine through the UIW health professions schools.
Students who meet the qualification criteria listed below when applying to the University will receive an email invitation shortly after they are admitted. Students will be asked to select which program they are interested in and to complete a survey. Responses are shared with the respective schools who interview and admit students at their discretion. Please contact the Office of Admissions at (210) 829-6005 with any additional questions.
Enrollment Period
Dec. 1, 2024 - Priority Deadline | March 1, 2025 - Final Deadline
Submissions after the March 1 deadline are not guaranteed review/consideration.
Understanding the Direct Admit Process
UIW admissions applications are automatically reviewed for Direct Admit eligibility.
- If students meet the criteria, they will receive an email to submit their Direct Admit application to their Health Professions school of choice (you can only apply for one school).
- Health Professions schools will review both the Direct Admit applications and admissions applications for Direct Admit consideration.
- Health Professions schools will contact Direct Admit applicants for additional information and next steps.
Testimonial Video
Student Kaitlin Alvarado shares her Direct Admit Program experience and the opportunities the program offers.
Optometry
The Rosenberg School of Optometry is excited to offer a direct admit program for highly qualified first-time freshmen. This program of study offers two tracks including an accelerated curriculum for the advanced undergraduate student who is ultimately interested in a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. The successful undergraduate applicant will qualify to enter this program upon admission to the University with specific criteria outlined below. In order to successfully progress, maintain direct admit scholarships, and be accepted into the OD program, participants will need to satisfy additional requirements throughout their undergraduate Vision Science coursework.
Capacity: Unlimited
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.7
- High school math and science GPA of 3.7
- Student must be prepared to begin in Pre-Calculus in the first semester of freshman year.
Additional Optometry admissions criteria, program progression requirements and a detailed Optometry curriculum outline are available.
To be contacted by an admissions counselor, please fill out our UIW Inquiry Form.
Osteopathic Medicine
The Direct Admit option for first-time freshman students leads to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. The School of Osteopathic Medicine has a mission to empower all members of the medical education community to achieve academic, professional and personal success and develop a commitment to lifelong learning through excellence in learner-centered, patient-focused education, justice-based research and meaningful partnerships of osteopathic clinical service across the spectrum of medical education.
Capacity: Unlimited
- Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.7
- Four years of math and science with a minimum GPA of 3.7
- A successful interview with School of Osteopathic Medicine faculty may be required
Students are accepted to UIWSOM on a conditional basis and expected to meet the following requirements during completion of their undergraduate work:
- Complete all prerequisite coursework at the UIW main campus
- Mandatory completion of additional science coursework which includes Neuroscience, Immunology, Microbiology, and Physiology at the UIW main campus
- Maintain an overall 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) each academic year (to include fall, spring and summer)
- Maintain a math and science GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Enroll in direct admit professional seminar
- Complete the UIW community service requirement with a demonstrated focus on health education in the San Antonio community
- MCAT requirement waived
- Successful interview with School of Osteopathic Medicine faculty
- Continuous full-time enrollment and graduation within four years
- This is not an accelerated program. Students are required to be enrolled at UIW for four years
Additional admissions criteria, Osteopathic Medicine program information and a detailed Osteopathic Medicine curriculum outline are available.
To be contacted by an admissions counselor, please fill out our UIW Inquiry Form.
Pharmacy
The Direct Admit option is a program for first-time freshman students interested in a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Students need to maintain specific requirements throughout two years of undergraduate study at UIW in order to continue to the four-year professional pharmacy program. Successful candidates who maintain the standards for progression in the program are guaranteed an interview to pharmacy school and upon admission will receive an additional $5,000 scholarship in the P1 year.
Capacity: Unlimited
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.5
- Four years of math and science with a GPA of 3.3
- Pre-Calculus ready
*Optional submitted test scores will be considered. Students with a high school GPA under 3.5 will be considered with a Math SAT above 580 or a Math Act above 23.
Students are accepted to FSOP on a conditional basis and expected to meet the following guidelines during completion of their undergraduate work:
- Maintain a 3.5 math and science GPA and an overall 3.5 GPA each year in undergraduate studies.
- Complete all Feik School of Pharmacy pre-requisites in two years.
- Submit my application to the Feik School of Pharmacy via PharmCAS by the September 1st of my second year of undergraduate course work.
- Uphold professional, courteous and leadership-worthy conduct in all interactions with UIW peers/students, staff, faculty and administrators, and community-at-large at all times as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and the UIW undergraduate bulletin/catalog.
- Follow communication guidelines as outlined by the Pre-Pharmacy Counselor/Advisor.
- Attend events/meetings as designated by the FSOP Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, and the Pre-Pharmacy Counselor and Pre-Pharmacy Association (PPA) Advisor.
- Actively participate in the Pre-Pharmacy Association
Additional Pharmacy admissions criteria, Pharmacy program information, a detailed Pharmacy curriculum outline and FAQs are available.
To be contacted by an admissions counselor, please fill out our UIW Inquiry Form.
Physical Therapy
The Direct Admit option for first-time freshman students leads to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The School of Rehabilitation Sciences educates physical therapists who, through skilled, reflective, holistic patient-centered practice, and scholarly activities, optimize movement and wellness for the common good of society.
Capacity: Unlimited
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.7
- High school math and science GPA of 3.7 (minimum of three years each)
- Students must be prepared to begin Pre-Calculus in the first semester of freshman year.
- Volunteer and community service involvement
- Interview with Physical Therapy faculty
Additional Physical Therapy admissions criteria, Physical Therapy program information and a detailed Physical Therapy curriculum outline are available.
To be contacted by an admissions counselor, please fill out our UIW Inquiry Form.
Occupational Therapy
The School of Rehabilitation Sciences offers a direct admit program for highly qualified first-time freshmen that leads to a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree. The OTD degree prepares beyond the level of a generalist practitioner to further expand knowledge and skills as a direct care provider, consultant, educator, manager, leader, researcher and advocate for the profession and consumer. The successful undergraduate applicant will qualify to enter this program by meeting the admissions requirements.
Capacity: Unlimited
Direct Admit Qualifications:
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.7
- High school math and science GPA of 3.7
- Student must be prepared to begin in Pre-Calculus in the first semester of freshman year.
Additional OTD Admissions Criteria and Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree Plan are available.
To be contacted by an admissions counselor, please fill out our UIW Inquiry Form.
Athletic Training
The School of Rehabilitation Sciences offers a direct admit program for highly qualified first-time freshmen that leads to a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT). The MSAT degree allows students to apply knowledge and expertise to improve healthcare for the physically active and serve as healthcare leaders in their communities. The successful undergraduate will qualify to enter this program by meeting admissions requirements.
Capacity: Unlimited
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.7
- High school math and science GPA of 3.33
- Student must be prepared to begin in Pre-Calculus in the first semester of freshman year.
Additional MSAT admissions requirements and Master of Science in Athletic Training Degree plan.
To be contacted by an admissions counselor, please fill out our UIW Inquiry Form.
UIW Health Profession Schools
The University of the Incarnate Word has a rich tradition of service through healthcare. UIW offers students the opportunity to pursue degrees in Nursing, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy and Physical Therapy. Here's a glance to what students and faculty think about our Health Profession programs.