McPherson College, Wichita State Announced Admissions Pact
A new partnership guarantees graduate school spots for top-performing Kansas undergraduate students.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Financial Aid
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McPherson College and Wichita State University have launched a guaranteed admission program for students pursuing a Master of Science in Athletic Training. The initiative secures spots for the top five eligible McPherson College students each year.
Why it matters
The partnership aims to create a clear professional pathway for students to bridge their undergraduate studies with specialized graduate education. It builds on previous collaborative efforts between the two Kansas institutions to improve student academic opportunities.
Eligible McPherson College students must complete the standard Wichita State application process to secure one of the five guaranteed seats. The program follows a previous agreement that allowed for nine credit hours to be applied toward an MBA degree.
The players
McPherson College
A private liberal arts college located in McPherson, Kansas, that offers specialized degrees in exercise science.
Wichita State University
A public research university in Wichita, Kansas, that is currently expanding its health science graduate programs.
Jerry Moran
A United States Senator from Kansas who secured $2.1 million in federal funding for lab enhancements at Melhorn Science Hall.
The details
McPherson College undergraduates focusing on strength and conditioning or exercise physiology can now transition into the Master of Science in Athletic Training program. This pathway integrates classroom learning, clinical education, and professional practice as students work toward their graduate degrees.
Timeline
Last spring: Announcement of the Master of Business Administration pathway.
Summer 2027: Program relocation to the Wichita Biomedical Campus.
Culture Shift
This partnership mirrors a broader movement toward regional education pipelines that aim to retain talent within Kansas by linking smaller liberal arts colleges with large public research universities. The move follows the ongoing development of the 350,000-square-foot Wichita Biomedical Campus.
Students at McPherson College gain a streamlined path to a graduate degree without the typical uncertainty of a competitive admissions cycle. For the broader local community, this move supports the growth of specialized health care professionals in Kansas.
The takeaway
Students looking to maximize their educational investment should prioritize programs with formal articulation agreements between undergraduate and graduate institutions. These partnerships can provide essential career stability and cost savings by streamlining the transition to advanced degrees.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic initiatives in the Financial Aid section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Salina Post.
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