UNMC Programs at UNK

The Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, 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. The center 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 recently expanded with the addition of a $95 million Health Science Education Center II, which completed the Rural Health Education Complex. The expansion houses the UNMC College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and the College of Public Health, as well as additions to current programs. This second facility creates 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.

The new Health Science Education Center II building was fully opened in spring 2026. Its addition allows for the UNMC College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and College of Public Health to join the already established College of Nursing and College of Allied Health Programs on the University of Nebraska Kearney campus.

Current Programs in Kearney Include:

• Cardiovascular Interventional Technology
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Medicine
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Medical Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
• Physician Assistant
• Public Health
• 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

• The addition of Health Science Education Center II doubles the number of professional healthcare students educated in Kearney from 300 to approximately 625.
• 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.
• UNK’s Communications Disorders program is now housed in the Health Science Education Center II building. It includes new classrooms for UNK students, laboratory spaces, research areas, Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic, RiteCare Telepractice Clinic, and opportunities for UNK students and faculty to collaborate and partner with UNMC’s programs.