Midwestern University-Downers Grove

What is the history of Midwestern University-Downers Grove?

Midwestern University-Downers Grove is the Illinois campus of a university whose roots are in osteopathic medical education. The institution began in Chicago in 1900 as the American College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. Its development into a university brought additional health-professions programs alongside its original medical school.

The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine moved to Downers Grove in the 1980s, and the institution adopted the Midwestern University name in 1993. Midwestern later established a separate campus in Glendale, Arizona. That history matters when comparing programs: a degree or facility described as part of Midwestern University is not necessarily offered at Downers Grove.

What are the faculties and departments at Midwestern University-Downers Grove?

Midwestern University-Downers Grove concentrates on graduate and professional health education rather than a broad selection of undergraduate majors. Its Illinois-based academic offerings include osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, biomedical sciences, and allied health fields.

The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine awards the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Other Downers Grove programs include dental medicine and optometry, as well as health-professions training in areas such as physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and clinical psychology. Applicants should use the directory for the Downers Grove campus when comparing programs: Midwestern's Arizona campus has its own schools and offerings, including veterinary medicine.

Degree length, clinical placements, prerequisite courses, and licensing examinations vary substantially by profession. A prospective student comparing two Midwestern programs should therefore review each program's curriculum and outcomes separately, not treat the university as a single academic track.

What is the location of Midwestern University-Downers Grove?

Midwestern University's Illinois campus is at 555 31st Street in Downers Grove, a suburb west of Chicago. Its suburban location offers a different daily experience from a medical school embedded in downtown Chicago.

Students considering clinical placements or part-time work should account for travel beyond campus: healthcare training may involve assignments at affiliated sites rather than only in Downers Grove. Commuting plans should be based on the actual placement location and schedule, since public-transit access and travel times can differ considerably across the Chicago area.

What is the mission and vision of Midwestern University-Downers Grove?

Midwestern University states that its purpose is to educate healthcare professionals and support patient care through teaching, scholarship, and service. Its educational approach emphasizes professional preparation and work across health disciplines.

That mission describes the university's priorities, not a guarantee about any individual student's clinical experience or career result. Applicants can test how it is put into practice by examining a program's supervised clinical training, interprofessional coursework, community-facing activities, and student support.