Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program is focused on improving the physician workforce in the Eastern region of Texas.  The Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) will emphasize primary care and other needed specialties to develop culturally aware and compassionate physicians who follow the principles of osteopathic medicine.

The D.O. program follows a vertically and horizontally integrated, biomedical sciences and clinical, systems-based curriculum. The program will utilize multiple teaching modalities like lecture, small group, case-based learning, clinical practice, simulation, and active learning to promote deep and complete mastery of the concepts. Research, ethics, statistics, and osteopathic principles and practices will be embedded within all realms of clinical and pre-clinical education. The clinical years will be spent in community-based settings at community hospitals, rural and critical access hospitals, and clinics that provide care to underserved populations, including community mental health services and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).  Providing educational experiences in these facilities will imprint the importance of caring for populations in Texas in need of physicians.  Students will complete this program as lifelong learners prepared with the knowledge and tools they need to be successful in residency and practice.

Applicants seeking admission to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program must complete the following steps.

  1. Complete the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) online application (primary application) by 5:00 p.m. CST, Oct. 1st .
  2. Submit the following to TMDSAS to complete the application file:
    1. Application Fee – non-refundable fee of $185.00 required to begin processing.
    2. Official Transcripts -  not required at time of submission, due by Oct. 15th.
    3. Letters of Evaluation and/or Health Professions Evaluations (HPE)
    4. Official MCAT Score Report
    5. Spring grades of application year (or Winter of application year, if on quarter system)
  3. Complete the Sam Houston State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) online Supplemental Application and non-refundable application fee of $75.00 by 5:00 p.m. CST, Nov. 15th.
    1. Applicants will receive an email invitation from SHSU-COM to complete the supplemental application after their completed primary application has been received from TMDSAS. The supplemental application and fee are required for consideration.

Note: Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The D.O. Program seeks promising students from all backgrounds and is focused on recruiting qualified applicants from areas to which they would likely want to return and establish their practice.

Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. College or University accredited by a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized accrediting body.  (Some courses may be in progress, but must be completed prior to enrollment.)

  1. Complete the following courses with no grade below "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale):
    1. English, 6 credit hours
    2. Biology, including laboratory; 8 credit hours
    3. Physics, including laboratory; 8 credit hours
    4. General Chemistry, including laboratory; 8 credit hours
    5. Organic Chemistry, including laboratory; 8 credit hours
      1. Biochemistry can be substituted for Organic Chemistry II
    6. Mathematics, 6 credit hours; 3 hours must be Statistics
  2. Meet minimum technical skills and abilities.
  3. Pass a criminal background check prior to enrollment.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Required Courses
Pre-Clerkship (Years I and 2)
ANAT 7401Clinical Anatomy 14
ANAT 7402Clinical Anatomy 24
CMED 7304Clinical Medicine 43
CMED 7402Clinical Medicine 24
CMED 7403Clinical Medicine 34
CMED 7501Clinical Medicine 15
MEDS 7320Systems Integration3
MEDS 7602Neuroscience & Behavior6
MEDS 7603Immune System & HEENT6
MEDS 7604Skin Skeletal & Motor Systems6
MEDS 7605Hematopoietic & Renal Systems6
MEDS 7606CV & Respiratory Systems6
MEDS 7607GI System & Nutrition6
MEDS 7608Endocrine Reproductive & Urinary Systems6
MEDS 7609Lifecycle6
OSTM 7301Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine 13
OSTM 7302Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine 23
OSTM 7303Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine 33
OSTM 7304Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine 43
SFOM 7401Scientific Foundations 14
SFOM 7402Scientific Foundations 24
Clerkship (Clinical Years 3 and 4)
CLIN 72134th Year Longitudinal OMM2
CLIN 73113rd Year Longitudinal OMM3
CLIN 7401General Surgery Clerkship4
CLIN 7402Adult Inpatient Med Clerkship (2 Blocks)8
CLIN 7403Emergency Medicine Clerkship4
CLIN 7404Psychiatry Clerkship4
CLIN 7405Family Medicine Clerkship4
CLIN 7406Pediatrics Clerkship4
CLIN 7407Women's Health Clerkship (2 Blocks)8
CLIN 7408Rural & Underserved Medicine Clerkship4
CLIN 7410Elective Clinical Clerkship (8 Blocks)32
CLIN 7414Medicine Selective Clerkship (2 Blocks)8
CLIN 7415Surgery Selective Clerkship (2 Blocks)8
MEDS 7318Clinical Clerkship Preparation3
Total Hours191