San Antonio: New medical school steps toward University of Incarnate Word

​​​SAN ANTONIO – The American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, or COCA, has granted the University of the Incarnate Word pre-accreditation for its planned medical school at Brooks City Base. 

That decision gives UIW permission to recruit immediately for the school, with provisional accreditation status effective July 1.

UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine Founding Dean Dr. Robyn Madson said the accreditation is a "crucial step" in the university’s efforts to address the growing health care needs and challenges in San Antonio and South Texas.

While UIW still needs to clear a number of hurdles, Madson said COCA has given the university the "green light to move forward" with the development of a new medical school in Southeast San Antonio.

The pre-accreditation from COCA means UIW has demonstrated the ability to initiate instruction by a specified date. The UIW School of Medicine’s office of administrations will begin accepting student applications on June 1, with plans to begin classes in the fall 2017.

UIW officials expect the inaugural class at its new School of Osteopathic Medicine will have about 150 students.​