The Seton Hill University and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine today announced a partnership on the Seton Hill campus in Greensburg.

LECOM, which already has campuses in Erie and Bradenton, Fla., received approval in April from the Council on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association to accept 104 additional students per year at the Greensburg campus, beginning in August 2009.

The academic program will be directed by long-time Pittsburgh medical educator, Irving Freeman, Ph.D. and J.D.

LECOM will invest more than $4 million to renovate and equip two Seton Hill campus buildings.

Seton Hill's partnership with LECOM includes the creation of a cooperative degree program. Qualified Seton Hill students will be able to complete the bachelor of science and doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees in as few as seven years.

First Published: June 17, 2008, 5:45 p.m.