Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Englewood, USA
- Ivins, USA
PhD
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 66,604
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine trains primary care physicians grounded in osteopathic principles, focusing on dedicated individuals to meet diverse healthcare needs.
The curriculum emphasizes early clinical integration, fostering a dynamic learning environment that equips students with essential skills. Partnerships with community organizations enhance access to clinical sites and experienced faculty, enriching the educational experience.
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) are licensed to practice in all 50 states, similar to MDs. After four years of medical school and up to seven years of residency, they specialize in various fields.
DOs emphasize wellness and preventive care, focusing on the connection between body structure and function. Their holistic approach includes Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) to enhance natural healing.
With a century-long tradition of serving diverse communities, especially in rural areas, osteopathic medicine prioritizes comprehensive patient care over simply treating illnesses.
The RVUCOM and MCOM curriculum focuses on integrated learning for the first two years. Students study each system twice: Year 1 covers normal function, and Year 2 addresses pathophysiology and clinical applications.
Clinical exposure starts in the first semester and grows in Year 2 with real patient interactions. Both schools emphasize teamwork and interprofessional education, preparing students for primary care roles through milestones and competencies.
RVUCOM (Colorado and Utah)
OMS I – Semester One (Fall)
- Musculoskeletal Systems I
- Molecular & Cellular Mechanisms
- Hematology/Immunology I
- Respiratory System I
- Cardiovascular System I
- Renal System l
- Osteopathic Principles/Practice I
- Principles of Clinical Medicine I
- Introduction to IPE Seminar I
- Intro to Evidence-Based Medicine
OMS I – Semester Two (Spring)
- Gastrointestinal System I
- Endocrine/Reproductive System I
- Neuroscience System I
- Osteopathic Principles/Practice II
- Principles of Clinical Medicine II
- Microbes and Infectious Disease
- Transition to Clinical Medicine
- Introduction to IPE Seminar II
- Medical Ethics
OMS II – Semester One (Fall)
- Renal System II 5
- Cardiovascular System II 5
- Respiratory System II 4
- Hematologic/Lymphatic System II 4
- Gastrointestinal System II 4
- Osteopathic Principles/Practice III 3
- Principles of Clinical Medicine III
OMS II – Semester Two (Spring)
- Endocrine System II
- Reproductive System II
- Musculoskeletal System II
- Neuroscience System II
- Psychiatry System
- Osteopathic Principles/Practice IV
- Principles of Clinical Medicine IV
- Pre-Clinical Capstone
- Advanced Medical Ethics
Years Three and Four
- Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine
- OPP Year 3: Clinical Integration I
- OPP Year 3: Clinical Integration II
- OPP Year 4: Clinical Integration I
- OPP Year 4: Clinical Integration II
- Required Clinical Core Externships
- Family Medicine Core I
- Internal Medicine Core I & II
- Pediatrics Core
- Behavioral Health Medicine Core
- Surgery Core I & II, including
- Fundamentals of Surgery
- Women's Health Core
- Choice of Elective (4000+)
- Required Elective Externships
- Choice of Elective
- Minimum 2 Required Audition Externships (Sub-I)
- Minimum number of credits to be completed in Years III and IV
It is the expectation that students will be involved in academic pursuits throughout Years III and IV of the curriculum.
MCOM (Montana)
OMS I – Semester One (Fall)
- Foundations I
- Osteopathic Clinical Skills I
- Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms
- Musculoskeletal System I
- Cardiovascular/Respiratory System I
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease
OMS I – Semester Two (Spring)
- Osteopathic Clinical Skills II
- Gastrointestinal System I
- Renal System l
- Endocrine/Reproductive System I
- Neuroscience System I
- Transition to Clinical Medicine
OMS II – Semester One (Fall)
- Foundations II
- Osteopathic Clinical Skills III
- Behavioral Health
- Cardiovascular/Respiratory System II
- Renal System II
- Gastrointestinal System II
OMS II – Semester Two (Spring)
- Osteopathic Clinical Skills IV
- Endocrine System II
- Reproductive System II
- Neuroscience System II
- Musculoskeletal System II
- Hematologic/Lymphatic System II
- Pre-Clinical Capstone
Upon successful completion of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at RVU, students will be able to do the following:
- Apply osteopathic principles and practices to patient care. (AOA CC#1: Osteopathic Philosophy/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine)
- Apply knowledge of biomedical sciences to clinical medicine. (AOA CC#2: Medical Knowledge)
- Demonstrate the ability to provide comprehensive patient care utilizing best practices of osteopathic medicine. (AOA CC#3: Patient Care)
- Utilize effective communication skills to support positive patient-centered and inter-professional relationships. (AOA CC#4: Interpersonal & Communication Skills)
- Uphold principles of the RVU Osteopathic Oath. (AOA CC#5: Professionalism)
- Evaluate patient-care practices through critical thinking using evidence-based medical principles. (AOA CC#6: Practice-Based Learning & Improvement)
- Use health systems science to improve patient care (AOA CC#7: Systems-Based Practice)
Scholarships include:
- Brandon Trusell Service COM Scholarship: $5,000 tuition waiver ($2,500 per semester) for one student demonstrating a commitment to service. One-year award.
- Robert Bruce Told Scholarship: $10,000 tuition waiver ($5,000 per semester) for students from rural communities, renewable for three years. Preference for those planning to return to rural practice.
- RVU Challenge COM Scholarship: $5,000 tuition waiver ($2,500 per semester) for one student overcoming hardships. One-year award.
- RVU Healthcare Leaders Scholarship: $10,000 tuition waiver ($5,000 per semester) for incoming minority students, renewable for three years.
- RVU Hope Scholarship: $10,000 tuition waiver ($5,000 per semester) for first-generation college students, renewable for three years.
- RVU Opportunity Scholarship: $10,000 tuition waiver ($5,000 per semester) for students from inner-city communities, renewable for three years. Preference for those planning to return to inner-city practice.