UMR starting program this fall to get a degree in 2.5 years

(ABC 6 NEWS) – A new program at the University of Minnesota Rochester called ‘NXT GEN MED’ is a new kind of college experience and it starts this August.

UMR Chancellor Lori Carrell said the program became an idea just after the pandemic began with education having to pivot to online or hybrid and after the death of George Floyd.

Carrell said she and her colleagues wanted to do what they could to give underrepresented students a chance at an education.

"It’s a natural fit for us to be at the cutting edge of what is happening nationally and to pilot something new that could be better for learners," University of Minnesota Rochester Chancellor, Lori Carrell said.

13 campuses across the country will pilot this program.

UMR is partnering with Mayo Clinic and Google Cloud to make ‘NXT GEN MED’ a reality.

"We certainly hope it will drive down the cost and drive up the quality meaning that there will be equity and educational attainment. And that will be a goal for all colleges and universities that is made realistic by the application of research to practice," Carrell said.

Students who are in the program will have a paid Mayo Clinic internship and research opportunities.

When they graduate they can work in different healthcare jobs such as a healthcare research project manager to a healthcare financial counselor.

If you are interested in applying or learning more about ‘NXT GEN MED’ you can click here.