Osteopathic Physician (D.O.)

Working conditions

Osteopathic medicine has a special focus on providing care in rural and urban underserved areas. From small towns to big cities, the White House to the front lines, even at the edge of space, DOs are everywhere. Many colleges of osteopathic medicine have a mission to provide primary care doctors, especially in their regions of the country. However, it is a myth to say that DOs are only primary care physicians. More than 43 percent of DOs practice outside of primary care and across all medical specialties, including anesthesiology, child neurology, dermatology, emergency medicine, psychiatry and surgery.

The duties, training, salaries and workforce information vary according to the specialty field DOs decide to pursue.

Academic requirements

Admission to osteopathic medical school is competitive. Most students who apply to medical school have a bachelor’s degree. There are a few exceptions for students in special programs that have prior arrangements with medical schools, or where a student meets the school’s admissions requirements by completing the prerequisite coursework without obtaining an undergraduate degree. Some applicants have earned a master’s degree or doctorate before applying to osteopathic medical school.

Premedical coursework varies at each college but generally requires at least:

• One year of biology
• One year of physics
• One year of English composition
• Two years of chemistry

Competitive MCAT scores, science GPA, and overall GPA are also required.

The American Association for Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) has developed a free database containing information about coursework and other admissions requirements for each college of osteopathic medicine. Access AACOM’s Choose DO Explorerhere.

Personal Qualities

Colleges of osteopathic medicine seek well-rounded individuals with a track record of academic excellence and a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system – students who will treat the whole person and emphasize health and wellness for all people.

Competitive applicants:

• Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Have a record of community service
• Have a record of leadership
• Have some clinical experience
• Have participated in a variety of extracurricular activities
• Come from diverse backgrounds
• Possess knowledge of osteopathic medicine
• Have shadowed an osteopathic physician
• Are interested in preventative care in addition to treatment of illness and injury

Application Information

The AACOM Choose DO Explorer is a valuable resource for anyone considering or applying to osteopathic medical colleges. This interactive directory includes descriptions of all the osteopathic medical colleges, admissions criteria, minimum entrance requirements, supplementary application materials required, class size or enrollment, application deadlines and tuition.

Applicants will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). To apply, use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) to submit one application to all the schools of interest. Currently, there are 41 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. Find out more about how to apply to osteopathic medical school through AACOMAS.

Osteopathic medical students complete four years of medical school, plus three to nine years of additional medical training through internships and residencies in their chosen specialties. After earning their degree, DOs also must pass state licensing exams and national boards.

Resources

• Watch the Welcome to the New AACOM video
• Review AACOM’s Choose DO Explorerfor details on the application process and each college of osteopathic medicine.
• Read the Choose DO blog.
• Find out more about the profession by following AACOM on Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Schedule a visit to an osteopathic college or attend recruiting events.
• Subscribe to the Inside OME newsletter.
• Connect with osteopathic medical students through these organizations:
  • AACOM’s Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents
  • Student National Medical Association
  • Student Osteopathic Medical Association
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
• American Osteopathic Association
• Become a Doctor (Prospective Student Brochure)
• Advising Future Doctors (Academic/Pre-Health Advisor Brochure)
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
• American Osteopathic Association