Pre-Osteopathic Medicine Program
Students wishing to gain admission to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program should plan on completing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or University in the United States. Accepted students generally have a GPA of around 3.0 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework. Students are expected to submit Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, which should be completed after 2020 but before the Spring of the year before they wish to enter medical school. Typically, a competitive MCAT score is around 506 (subject to variation from year to year). Students are encouraged to have documented patient interaction hours from various settings and populations. Additional emphasis should be placed on professional development relating to service and volunteer hours. To establish a mentoring or shadowing relationship with an osteopathic physician, visit the American Osteopathic Association website.
Generally, 2-3 letters of recommendation should be obtained when applying, typically including a college professor, licensed physician, and one person of the applicant’s choice – all letters should be from persons who can speak to the candidate’s ability to complete a rigorous medical school program successfully. Students interested in applying to Osteopathic Medicine schools will apply through an external program known as AACOMAS in the summer or fall of their senior year. Preferred application deadlines are generally in early October, with a final deadline around January, while others will have a rolling deadline until filled. Students should confer with the school of their choice regarding specific requirements for admission.
Fast Facts
Degree: By earning your Bachelor’s Degree at Midland University in the Pre-Osteopathic Medicine Program, you will be prepared to jump straight into graduate work in a professional program.
College/School: College of Health Professions/School of Health Sciences
Suggested Major at Midland University:
Biology – View the Sample Course of Study →
GPA required to enter occupational therapy school: GPA of around 3.0 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Pre-osteopathic students develop a strong foundation in medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology. This knowledge forms the basis for understanding the human body's structure, function, and disease processes.
Pre-Osteopathic Medicine Course Information
These courses are recommended to be taken at Midland University, as students prepare for graduate school in the field of Osteopathic Medicine as part of the Pre-Med track. All course descriptions can be found in the Academic Catalog.
BIO125: General Biology I with Lab
BIO126: General Biology II with Lab
CHE103: General Chemistry I with Lab
CHE104: General Chemistry II with Lab
PHY151: General Physics I with Lab
PHY152: General Physics II with Lab
BIO204: Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
BIO205: Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
PSY333: Abnormal Psychology or PSY210: Developmental Psychology
Social or Behavioral Science (could be a Humanities or Social Science course with the prefix CJU, PSY, SOC, SSC, etc.)
MTH210: Elementary Statistics
WRI101: Composition I
These courses are typically not required for graduate school in the field of Osteopathic Medicine, but are strongly recommended and may be helpful for students who plan to attend graudate school for Osteopathic Medicine.
CHE407: Biochemistry
BIO305: Genetics
BIO415: Immunology
BIO215: Microbiology
Program Faculty
Dr. Chintamani S. Manish
Professor of Biology
Email Address: manish@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6305
Dr. Evangeline Rukundo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Email Address: rukundo@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6322
Key Experiences
Along their academic journey, students take part in what we call “Key Experiences.” These experiences will spark learning outside of the classroom and beyond the textbook. They get students learning first-hand about a profession, seeing the process from an up-close perspective, and thinking outside the box.
Internships, Collaborative Courses & Projects, ePortfolios
- Students will design and conduct an experiment during their Biology Capstone course. Students will prepare audio-visual presentations and create a poster to present at the Luther College of Arts and Sciences Research Fair.
- Students create a completely original organism (plant or animal) for a given set of environmental and habitat conditions that are assigned to them. Students are provided with a set of environmental conditions, location, and other pertinent information about a region. Based upon the information provided, they have to design an organism that will be perfectly adapted to that setting (they must describe the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organism including its morphology, external characteristics, digestion, respiration, circulation, reproduction, behavioral response, and any other characteristics that are “unique” to their organism. Once the students design the organism they have to write a paper describing it along with art work. Finally, the students have to create a presentation that will be shared with the entire class.
Popular Internship Site
Careers with an Advanced Degree
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
According to the BLS, projected employment of physicians and surgeons varies by occupation. An increasing number of older adults, who are more likely than younger people to experience health problems and to need complex care, is expected to drive overall employment growth for physicians and surgeons. In addition, increasing rates of chronic illnesses—such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease—will result in continued reliance on physicians and surgeons by large numbers of people seeking medical care.
Some possible careers include:
Many osteopathic physicians work as primary care physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics/gynecology. They provide comprehensive medical care to patients of all ages, focusing on preventive care, health maintenance, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses.
Osteopathic physicians can specialize in various medical specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurology, psychiatry, cardiology, dermatology, or oncology. They undergo additional training in their chosen specialty and provide specialized medical care, diagnostic services, and treatment interventions for patients with complex medical conditions.
Hospitalist physicians specialize in providing medical care to hospitalized patients, coordinating treatment plans, and managing acute medical conditions in hospital settings. They work closely with other healthcare professionals, including nurses, specialists, and allied health staff, to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care for patients during their hospital stay.
Osteopathic physicians can work as emergency medicine physicians in hospital emergency departments, trauma centers, or urgent care centers. They diagnose and treat medical emergencies, stabilize critically ill or injured patients, and coordinate their care for admission or transfer to appropriate medical facilities.
Some osteopathic physicians specialize in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) or osteopathic manual therapy. They use hands-on techniques such as manipulation, massage, and stretching to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders, pain syndromes, and other health conditions, promoting the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Osteopathic physicians can work in academic institutions, medical schools, or osteopathic colleges as faculty members, educators, or researchers. They teach medical students, residents, and fellows, conduct research in osteopathic principles and practice, and contribute to the advancement of medical education and scientific knowledge.
Osteopathic physicians can pursue careers in public health, working in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or community health centers to address public health issues, promote disease prevention, and improve access to healthcare services. They may engage in health policy development, epidemiological research, or community health outreach programs.
Osteopathic physicians with leadership skills and business acumen can pursue careers in healthcare administration or medical management. They may work as medical directors, department heads, or healthcare administrators in hospitals, healthcare systems, or managed care organizations, overseeing clinical operations, quality improvement initiatives, and strategic planning efforts.
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