Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Become the Kind of Physician the World Needs Next
Discover a Medical Education That Looks Beyond the Symptoms
As the nation’s second-oldest osteopathic institution, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences pioneered a philosophy that still drives medicine forward. With DMU’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, you’ll learn to treat people, not just problems, and understand how every system connects to the whole person.
With the U.S. facing a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, the doctors we need aren’t just clinically excellent — they’re collaborative, compassionate and ready to lead. That’s who we train you to become.
At DMU, you’ll work alongside future physical therapists, physician assistants, podiatrists and researchers, building the teamwork and skills that define modern health care. Through a rigorous, integrated curriculum, hands-on research and state-of-the-art simulation training, you’ll be prepared for boards, residency and beyond.
4 Years
Program Length
Including Two Years of Clinical Rotations
$68,620
Annual Tuition
Nearly 100%
Residency Placement
98.5%
COMLEX Level 3 Pass Rate
Exceeds 4-Year National Average
Am I on Track for the DO Program?
A Quick Check. You Might Be More Prepared Than You Think.
Undergraduate Degree
A bachelor’s degree is required.
GPA
A minimum grade point average of 2.8 is recommended (cumulative and science).
Letters of Recommendation
A minimum of three references is required.
MCAT
You must complete the Medical College Admission Test within three years of matriculation to be considered for admission.
Prerequisite Courses
You may apply while some required coursework is still in process; however, all required courses must be completed before beginning the DO program.
Application
Complete your application through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service. Applications open each May and the deadline is the AACOMAS application closing date.
Why DMU?
DMU’s accredited DO program combines early clinical experiences, osteopathic manipulative medicine training, research opportunities and a nationwide clinical network to prepare graduates for residency and practice — because difference-makers need more than medical school. They need the right one.
Explore Your Path
In year three, you’ll dive into clinical rotations and most last four weeks. Real-world experience starts here.
Research That Moves You Forward
Work alongside DMU’s research team to sharpen your skills, publish your findings and earn recognition through fellowships, scholarships and awards.
Labs That Launch
From the anatomy lab to the simulation center, you’ll learn in cutting-edge spaces like the Rakowski Surgical Skills Lab, Wojciechowski Trauma Lab and Human Simulation Lab, all designed to prepare you for real-world care.
Learn Outside the Classroom
DMU’s Global Health program takes your education worldwide. From service trips to international rotations, you’ll gain hands-on experience, build leadership skills and grow as a physician in diverse settings.
Train in the Art and Science of Manual Medicine
As a DO student at DMU, you’ll learn to diagnose and treat structural issues that affect overall health, using your hands as diagnostic and therapeutic tools to support the body’s natural ability to heal.
At DMU, you’ll gain OMM experience in labs, simulations and real patient care. You can even take your training further through:
- A one-year pre-doctoral OMM Scholar Program.
- The Primary Care department.
- The Des Moines University Clinic, where OMM is part of everyday care.
What You’ll Learn
You won’t just study medicine at DMU — you’ll live it.
Our DO program blends challenging coursework with immersive, hands-on experiences that prepare you for real-world care. You’ll train in our state-of-the-art simulation center, working with simulated and standardized patients who bring real clinical scenarios to life. Their feedback helps you sharpen diagnostic skills and develop a strong, patient-centered approach.
Years 1–2: Pre-Clinical Training
You’ll begin with the scientific foundations of medicine, then build your knowledge through an integrated organ systems approach that connects basic and clinical sciences.
Years 3–4: Clinical Rotations
Step into real clinical environments across a range of specialties and settings, gaining experience, confidence and clarity about your future path.
Immersive learning experiences further hone your skills, including respectful, full-body anatomy dissection made possible by body donation, simulated patient encounters, EKG training, team-based simulation and procedural training in a fully equipped operating room.
Quick Facts: Curriculum and Courses
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Advanced Training
In clinical excellence, osteopathic principles and whole-person care
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Rigorous Coursework
In clinical medicine, osteopathic manual medicine, medical ethics and more
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Hands-on Clinical Training
During third- and fourth-year rotations
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Personal Academic Advising
From nationally recognized faculty invested in your future
“Our curriculum’s structure provides a strong foundation for student success, leading to outstanding board pass rates, strong residency placement rates and graduates who become caring, compassionate physicians.”
Matthew Henry, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Curriculum
Where Will Your DO Take You?
Ready. Set. Go.
With a wide range of specialties and opportunities for advanced education, a DO degree from DMU opens doors to a meaningful, versatile career in medicine.
DMU students consistently outperform national averages on COMLEX — the three-level licensing exam required for osteopathic medical licensure — demonstrating strong preparation for residency and practice.
As a DMU DO graduate, you’ll be prepared to practice across the full spectrum of academic and clinical medicine, from family medicine and pediatrics to obstetrics/gynecology, surgery and beyond. Our alumni lead clinics and health systems, advance clinical discovery and educate the next generation of physicians.
Learn here. Succeed everywhere. While income varies by specialty, osteopathic physicians earn an average annual salary exceeding $374,000.*
*Source: Weatherby Healthcare Physician Salary Report
Quick Facts: Career Preparation and Outcomes
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Board-Ready Performance
COMLEX pass rates consistently exceed the national average
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Career and Residency Guidance
Dedicated advising helps you choose a specialty and prepare for residency
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Residency Match Success
Near 100% residency placement rate
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Expanded Learning Pathways
International rotations and optional OMM Scholar Program
Learning Spaces Designed for Impact
There’s nothing cookie-cutter about the spaces you’ll inhabit as a DO student at DMU.
Our learning studios and labs are intentionally designed to reflect both the current practices and future direction of medicine, preparing you to meet the demands of health care with confidence and skill.
Rakowski Surgical Skills Lab
Practice various surgical techniques in a space designed to replicate the high-pressure settings of both operating and emergency rooms.
Wojciechowski Trauma Lab
Train in an environment that reflects the urgent atmosphere of emergency medical care while learning to respond to life-threatening injuries and medical emergencies.
Clinical Exam Rooms and Human Simulation Lab
Gain hands-on experience in one of 16 rooms equipped with exam tables, cameras, microphones and computers, which allow you to refine your clinical skills and receive faculty feedback.
Anatomy Lab
Build a deep understanding of human anatomy through full cadaver dissection with expert faculty guidance.
“At DMU, every week brings new ways to grow as a future health professional — from practicing physical exams in Spanish during Cafecito hours to exploring rural health disparities and collaborating across disciplines on complex cases.
There’s always more to do than time allows, and that’s a good problem. It reflects the energy of our student community and the support we receive from faculty and staff.”
Madeline Westendorp, DO’28
“If you’re considering attending DMU, the decision is easy.
They’ve been teaching osteopathic medicine for a long time and know how to get students on the right track with the skills they need. The staff truly want you to succeed and are there to help you do just that.”
Christian Jensen, DO’29
“For me, osteopathic medicine has always been the only choice. Growing up in Des Moines, I saw firsthand the impact of manual medicine on my own family, and I knew I wanted to become an osteopathic physician.
Seeing the body as a unit with self-healing capabilities allows for a more patient-focused approach, not just a pathology-focused one.”
Benjamin Hurley, DO’23
Resident, University of Nebraska Medical College
Feel the Connection
When you’re not in class, training in the field or studying for exams, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved on campus and beyond.
- Join one of 50+ student clubs and organizations to connect with peers and build community.
- Get involved with the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs to practice patient-centered care with cultural humility and learn to lead with empathy.
- Explore everything the Greater Des Moines community has to offer, from cultural events to outdoor activities and local favorites.
The Stories That Define DMU
Take Me Out to the Ball Park
Student groups have always been part of the DMU experience. Long before today’s labs and recreation spaces, students built community on the baseball field.
Become Who You’re Meant to Be
Earn your DO from DMU and step into your career with confidence and purpose.