University of Missouri School of Medicine expands Springfield clinical campus to full four-year program

April 20, 2026
Contact: Christopher Ave, [email protected]

The University of Missouri School of Medicine is taking bold steps to strengthen health care across Missouri by expanding its Springfield campus into a full four-year regional medical school. This milestone underscores Mizzou's leadership in addressing physician shortages and improving access to care across Missouri.

"This expansion is about more than classrooms and labs. It's about building a healthier future for every Missourian," said Richard J. Barohn, executive vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. "By training more physicians in Springfield, we are investing in communities and ensuring that quality care is within reach for all."

The Springfield campus, established in 2016 as a clinical site for third- and fourth-year students, plans to offer the full medical school curriculum starting in summer 2027. This expansion strengthens partnerships with CoxHealth and Mercy Springfield Communities and creates new opportunities for students to learn and serve in southwest Missouri.

"CoxHealth is proud to deepen our partnership with the University of Missouri School of Medicine as Springfield becomes a full four-year medical campus," said CoxHealth President and CEO Max Buetow. "Training future physicians locally is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen our healthcare workforce. We look forward to welcoming these students to our campus, where they will be part of advancing our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve."

The current site hosts up to 28 third-year and 28 fourth-year students each year. They complete clinical rotations through partnerships with CoxHealth and Mercy Springfield Communities. Currently, students complete their first two years of medical school classroom instruction in Columbia. In November 2025, the University of Missouri purchased a building on Battlefield Road, which will be the home of the four-year program.

"Bringing a full four-year medical school to the Springfield Community ensures aspiring physicians can complete every stage of their training in the same place they may one day practice," said John Myers, president of Mercy Springfield Communities. "By working with the University of Missouri School of Medicine, we are helping build a stronger pipeline of skilled, compassionate physicians who we hope will care for our friends and neighbors in Springfield for years to come."

Prospective students may apply for admission to the Springfield campus beginning this May for the 2027-2028 academic year, when the first class of 32 students will begin their medical training. By the fall of 2030, the Springfield campus will have four classes of 32 students - 128 in total. This will bring the total enrollment of medical students at the Mizzou School of Medicine to 672 across both campuses.

Curriculum on the Columbia and Springfield campuses will be comparable. There will be shared faculty resources and an expanded simulation lab, ensuring a consistent experience across both sites. A new program established as part of the expansion will provide a pathway for graduates of local Springfield-area colleges and universities to attend medical school at the Mizzou School of Medicine in Springfield. This program is designed to encourage local students to pursue their medical education close to home and ultimately remain in the region after completing their training, helping meet the critical physician workforce needs of the greater Springfield area.

MU School of Medicine