Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

The College of Osteopathic Medicine emphasizes preparing students to be primary care physicians; many students also choose to practice in specialty areas, such as surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, cardiology, psychiatry, emergency medicine and others.

Des Moines University combines the top advantages in medical education: expert, caring faculty; a rigorous, relevant curriculum; state-of-the-art facilities; a dynamic and diverse research environment; and a vibrant community of students and faculty active in learning and service.

The osteopathic difference

• Osteopathic medicine incorporates medical care with personal attention, active listening and engaged service.
• In the 1880s osteopathic medicine presented an alternative form of care that recognized the body’s inherent ability to heal with proper musculoskeletal alignment.
• Doctors of osteopathic medicine view a person’s body as an integrated whole instead of just treating specific illnesses or symptoms.
• A D.O.’s extra training in the musculoskeletal system gives them a better understanding of the ways an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another.
• By combining this osteopathic manual medicine approach with all other evidence-based medical procedures and a focus on preventive health care, a D.O. offers patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.
• Learn more about the differences between a D.O. and and M.D.

Meet some of our students

More information about osteopathic medicine

• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
• Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
• Student Osteopathic Medical Association

Accreditation

DMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). As an accredited college, COM is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, or AACOM.

Learn more about accreditation at DMU

Questions?

Interested in learning more? Please contact the admission office at 800-240-2767, extension 1499, or email DOadmit@dmu.edu.