Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

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) emphasizes 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 utilizes multiple teaching modalities such as 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 are embedded within all realms of clinical and pre-clinical education. The clinical years are 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 demonstrate the importance of caring for Texas populations in need of physicians.  Students complete this program as lifelong learners prepared with the knowledge and skills needed 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. 1^st .
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. 15^th.
   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. 15^th.
   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.