Preparing for Admission

To be considered for admission to any of the nation's osteopathic medical schools, applicants typically have a bachelor's degree, with undergraduate studies that include one year each of English, biological sciences, physics, general chemistry and organic chemistry. Other requirements may include genetics, mathematics, and psychology. Most prospective D.O. students major in sciences with an emphasis in biology or chemistry; however, applicants may major in any discipline as long as they meet the minimum course and grade requirements. Applicants must also take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).

Osteopathic medicine is a people-oriented profession that demands dedicated and empathetic individuals. Prospective osteopathic medical students must exhibit a genuine concern for people. Applicants may wish to spend some time with a D.O. or do volunteer work in a healthcare setting before considering a career in the field. Osteopathic medical colleges require a personal interview to assess and applicant's desire to become an osteopathic physician.

For a catalog of requirements and information, contact any of the osteopathic medical schools listed below. You can also contact the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine at their web site.

The Osteopathic Curriculum

The first two years of the osteopathic medical curriculum focus on basic sciences. The third and fourth years emphasize clinical work, with much of the teaching in community hospitals, major medical centers and doctors' offices. During the clinical years, students study general medicine and are involved in research. They rotate through urban, suburban and rural settings, gaining exposure to all areas of medicine.

Osteopathic principles and practices, which emphasize the relationship between body systems, are integrated into the four-year curriculum. Students learn osteopathic manipulative treatment for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine (UMDNJSOM) som.umdnj.edu Academic Center One Medical Drive Stratford, NJ 08084 (609) 566-7050	University of North TX Health Center at Ft Worth, TX College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM) www.hsc.unt.edu/education/tcom 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76107 (817) 735-2240
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) www.une.edu/com 11 Hills Beach Road Biddeford, ME 04005 (800) 477-4863	Edward Via Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) www.vcom.vt.edu 2265 Kraft Drive Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540) 231-4000
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) www.pcom.edu 4170 City Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131 (215) 871-6770	Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM) www.pcsom.edu 147 Sycamore Street Pikeville, KY 41501 (606) 218-5250
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OUCOM) www.oucom.ohiou.edu Grosvenor Hall Athens, OH 45701 (800) 345-1560	Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSUCOM) www.healthsciences.okstate.edu 111 West 17th Street Tulsa, OK 74107 (800) 677-1972
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB) www.uhs.edu 1750 Independence Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64106 (816) 283-2350	Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM) www.tucom.edu 832 Walnut Avenue Vallejo, CA 94592 (707) 562-5100
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine New York Institute of Technology (NYCOM) iris.nyit.edu/nycom 8000 Wheatley Road Old Westbury, NY 11568 (516) 626-6947	Nova Southeastern University Health Professions Division College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSUCOM) medicine.nova.edu 3200 S. University Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328 (954) 262-1101
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) www.com.msu.edu East Fee Hall East Lansing, MI 48824 (517) 353-7740	Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) www.kcom.edu 800 West Jefferson Kirksville, MO 63501 (816) 626-2237
Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center (DMUOMC) www.dsmu.edu/coms 3200 Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50312 (515) 271-1450	Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine Midwestern University (AZCOM) www.midwestern.edu/azcom 19555 N. 59th Avenue Glendale, AZ 85308 (602) 937-5643
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Midwestern University (CCOM) www.midwestern.edu/ccom 555 31st Street Downers Grove, IL 60515 (630) 515-6171	Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) www.westernu.edu 309 East 2nd Street, College Plaza Pomona, CA 91766 (909) 623-6116
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) www.lecom.edu 1858 W. Grandview Blvd. Erie, PA 16509 (814) 866-6641	West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVCOM) www.wvsom.edu 400 North Lee Street Lewisburg, VA 24901 (304) 647-6251
A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) www.atsu.edu 5850 E. Still Circle Mesa, AZ 85206 (480) 219-6000	Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) www.lmunet.edu/dcom 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway Harrogate, TN 37752 (432) 869-3611 or (800) 325-0900