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To apply to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, here’s what you need to know:
Academic Prerequisites
Bachelor’s Degree
To be considered for admission, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university within the U.S. before the start of orientation.
Grade Point Average
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale or higher is recommended. In addition, a minimum science grade point average of 2.8 on a scale of 4.0 or higher is recommended. Prerequisite coursework requires a grade of C or higher.
Note: CLEP credits, AP credits and Pass/Fall credits cannot be used to meet prerequisite requirements.
Required Courses
You may apply while some coursework is still in progress, but all must be completed before starting at DMU. Required courses include:
- Biology/Zoology — 8 Semester Hours (labs required when available)
- General Chemistry — 8 Semester Hours (labs required when available)
- Organic Chemistry — 4 Semester Hours (labs required when available)
- Biochemistry — 3 Semester Hours
- Physics — 8 Semester Hours (labs required when available; up to 3 semester hours of statistics may substitute for 3 semester hours of physics)
- English, English Composition, Speech or Literature — 6 Semester Hours
- Recommended Courses: We also recommend courses in cell biology, microbiology, immunology, genetics, physiology and anatomy
MCAT
All applicants must submit Medical College Admission Test scores through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service. Only scores from exams taken in 2023 or later will be accepted for the Fall 2026 class. Scores are reviewed individually and are not averaged with sub-scores from multiple examinations.
Clinical Exposure
While clinical exposure isn’t mandatory, it is recommended to help confirm your interest in and commitment to the osteopathic medical profession. This experience can include shadowing, paid positions or volunteer work. To establish a mentoring or shadowing relationship with an osteopathic physician, visit the American Osteopathic Association.
Entering Class Averages
DMU’s admitted DO classes average about 225 students from more than 32 states.
Successful applicants typically present cumulative GPAs around 3.7, science GPAs near 3.6 and average MCAT scores around 507, along with meaningful patient-care or shadowing experience.
These figures represent overall trends, not minimum requirements.
Other Important Requirements
Technical Standards
A candidate who is seeking a DO, DPM, MSPAS, DPT or OTD degree at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences must be capable of completing core educational requirements and achieving the competencies in the basic and clinical sciences. DMU seeks to develop candidates who have a deep and robust health science or medical knowledge base and outstanding clinical skills, with the ability to appropriately apply them, effectively interpret information and contribute to decisions across a broad spectrum of medical situations and settings.
The critical skills required to be successful are outlined in the academic catalog and include the ability to observe, communicate and perform motor functions, as well as to understand, integrate core knowledge and skills and to behave appropriately in varied educational and professional situations.
We encourage you to review the DO program’s comprehensive technical standards. For information about accommodations, refer to the Accommodations in Education Policy.
Background Checks
Complete a criminal background check, which may include a drug screen, as well as Iowa Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Registry checks through the DMU preferred vendor and process. Results must be released to DMU prior to matriculation. The cost of this process will be paid by the student. Students are required to disclose all past or present charges, convictions, dismissals, deferred judgments and expunged records related to a misdemeanor or felony. They are also obligated to disclose any additional charges and convictions that occur following completion of the initial criminal background check. Admission to the program may be revoked if misrepresentations or omissions from the application are noted in the background check. DMU students are required to complete annual criminal background checks, which may include drug screening, while enrolled at DMU.
Previous Matriculants
Graduates with MD, DO or equivalent programs (U.S. or international) are not eligible for consideration for admission to DMU’s DO program. Students who withdrew from a previous medical school in good standing for personal (not behavioral or academic) reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Residency Status
At DMU, all students enrolled in on-campus programs must be either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Permanent resident applicants must provide a notarized copy of their permanent resident card (green card) prior to matriculation. Please be aware of the potential impact if your permanent resident card (green card) expires and is not renewed, or you do not obtain U.S. citizenship, during your enrollment at DMU. In such a case, you would no longer be eligible for federal financial aid, and because you would no longer meet the enrollment requirements, you could be dropped from enrollment in your coursework.
Note: Applicants with a permanent residency status of “pending” are not eligible for admission.
Transfer Students
Students wishing to transfer into the DO program will be considered under the following circumstances:
- Student must be ranked in the upper 50% of their current medical school class.
- Student must submit a supportive letter of recommendation from the dean of their current medical school stating student is in good academic standing.
- Student is enrolled in a COCA- or LCME-accredited medical school.
- Student must have a cogent reason for requesting transfer.
- Student is willing to participate in an interview at the discretion of the Chair of the Admissions Committee.
- The Associate Dean of Academic Curriculum and Medical Programs and a committee of COM course directors will review the applicant’s transcript and determine where transfer credit will be given and what courses will be required for completion prior to graduation.
- Student requesting transfer from other COMs must have passed COMLEX Level 1 of NBOME (or USMLE Step 1 if from an allopathic school).
- Student from an LCME-accredited medical school must meet all DMU-COM OMM requirements prior to graduation.
- Student must be enrolled at DMU a minimum of two years and meet all graduation requirements of the Student Handbook.
- Student has not been convicted of a felony or found guilty of professional or moral misconduct.
- Student must complete a criminal background check and drug screen.
Please carefully review the transfer application requirements listed above. If you satisfy all requirements and would like to learn more about how to apply for transfer admission, please contact us at DMUAdmit@dmu.edu. Meeting all application requirements is in no way a guarantee of transfer admission.