Answering the call for public health careers WLC and MCW team up to benefit students and the community

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Neighboring Wisconsin Lutheran College and Medical College of Wisconsin partner on academic programs.

WAICU members, Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), recently announced a partnership to allow WLC students to pursue a public health career. WLC and MCW’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences formed an early assurance direct admission and reverse transfer program that provides an accelerated route for full-time WLC students to gain direct entry to MCW’s Master of Public Health program.

In only four years, WLC students can complete their Bachelor of Science degree in biology from WLC while concurrently earning a 15-credit graduate certificate in public health from MCW. After graduating from WLC, students who complete their public health program prerequisites and admission requirements can earn a Master of Public Health degree from MCW in just one year, nearly one year earlier than typical. This not only saves time and money, it gives students the opportunity to enter the workforce sooner and begin their goal of improving the lives of others.

The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed calls for investment in public health. “Careers in public health - like epidemiology, health education, and community health - are more important than ever before,” said Dr. Rob Balza, Dean of the College of Health Sciences at WLC. “Overall employment opportunities in health-related fields are increasing and will be in-demand for many years to come.”

WLC provides a broad-based liberal arts education and experiential, hands-on exposure to science and technology so they may find a job and adapt easily in an ever-changing world. “The Master of Public Health dual-degree partnership with MCW gives WLC students the education and training they need to help fulfill their role as Christian servant leaders who will impact communities worldwide,” said Dr. Balza. WLC also has a partnership with MCW’s School of Pharmacy.