The New Medical School of Fort Worth

TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine

Texas Christian University (TCU) and University North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) have entered into a memorandum of understanding to create a new MD school in Fort Worth. The school will pioneer an education model for the practice and business of medicine that emphasizes teamwork and is centered on the patient.

Quick Facts & Next Steps

Below is a summary of the initiative along with initial steps that must occur:

1. The MD school will be an equal collaboration and MD students will be considered students of both TCU and UNT Health Science Center.
2. A steering committee comprising TCU and UNTHSC representatives will oversee plans regarding the development of the new MD school.
3. A medical school management committee appointed by the TCU Chancellor and the UNTHSC President will manage the school. A dean will be jointly hired and report to the provosts of both institutions.
4. Classes will be taught at TCU and at UNTHSC.
5. Start-up costs will come from private philanthropic commitments for an MD school. Building infrastructure will not be necessary due to existing classroom, research and administrative space on the UNTHSC campus.
6. The TCU Board of Trustees and the UNT System Board of Regents must approve the plans developed by the Medical School Management Committee.
7. Plans call for the first class to consist of 60 students with applications beginning in fall 2017 and a target opening of fall 2018, pending SACSCOC approval. An estimated total MD enrollment of 240 students is planned by the academic year 2021-22.
8. The MD school will be managed, branded and supported jointly by both institutions. While the school’s initial name will include both TCU and UNTHSC, the degrees awarded will not contain the name of the UNTHSC until such time as state law permits.
9. The MD school is expected to provide more physicians for our community, and they will be educated via a team approach to the delivery of health care, which improves patient success and health while reducing medical errors and cost.
10. Public and privately funded research investment is expected to increase after the MD school is operational.

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