UNMC Programs at UNK

The Health Science Education Complex (HSEC) located west of the UNK campus, is a collaboration between the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s (UNMC) College of Nursing and the College of Allied Health Professions. This collaboration works to address health care provider shortages in rural Nebraska. HSEC houses dozens of professional health programs. When students complete their pre-professional studies at UNK, they can finish their programs at UNMC right here in Kearney.

The programs offered will keep expanding with the addition of a $95 million Rural Health Education Building that will be located near the HSEC with expected completion in 2025 and an opening in early 2026. The expansion will house the UNMC College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and the College of Public Health, as well as additions to current programs. This second facility will create more opportunities for students to pursue and practice their health careers closer to home and build a stronger rural workforce. Students can receive a world-class education right there in Kearney.

When the Rural Health Education Building is completed, additional health profession programs will include: medicine, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, genetic counseling, medical nutrition, and public health.

Current Programs in Kearney Include:

• Cardiovascular Interventional Technology
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Physician Assistant
• Radiography
• Nursing, Bachelor of Science (BSN)
• Nursing, Masters of Science (MSN)
• Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Nursing, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Post-Master’s Certificates

 Additional Benefits to Students

• More than 300 students are currently in professional programs at the HSEC building. The new facility in Kearney will allow for the number of healthcare students to double to more than 600.
• Many students complete clinicals in the same communities they’ll serve after graduation.
• About 85% of the students who graduate start their careers in rural Nebraska.
• In addition, the Rural Pathway Program for nursing offers qualified students the opportunity for guaranteed admission to the UNMC Kearney campus. Students from CO, IA, KS, SD, and WY will also be allowed to pay in-state tuition at UNMC.