At Des Moines University, your education and preparation for clinical rotations is our main emphasis. You have the opportunity to learn in a high-quality and supportive environment. During the first year, students begin to develop hands-on skills and communication techniques that distinguish them with both patients and fellow professionals. Because of our students' early introduction to clinical and interpersonal skills, they begin rotations with a high level of competence and confidence to practice the art and science of medicine.

D.O. program highlights

  • Join or lead groundbreaking, career-defining graduate research

    Want to dive a little—or a lot—deeper into a specialty area while on the way to your osteopathic medical degree? Get involved with a graduate research project between your first and second years. DMU graduate students who have participated in research programs have had their articles published in peer-reviewed journals, traveled to meetings across the country to present their research and won prestigious national awards, fellowships and scholarships.

  • Train and practice in state-of-the-art labs

    While studying for your osteopathic medicine degree at DMU, you will learn in a variety of labs and other settings with cutting-edge technology and tools, including the Cadaver Dissection/Anatomy Labs, the Surgical and Medical Skills Lab and others.

  • Collaborate with fellow medical students

    At DMU, our college environment might be small, but the camaraderie and community you’ll find among your peers are big. Get to know your fellow students and develop valuable teamwork skills.

  • Receive support and guidance when you need it

    Throughout our four-year D.O. program, we will be here to support you from start to finish, especially through the residency application process in your third and fourth years. Our faculty members are committed to training and educating you to become a well-rounded, highly skilled health care professional.

  • Learn osteopathic manual medicine (OMM)

    The OMM program at DMU is second to none. Students engage in two full years of OMM training with weekly laboratories and periodic practical exams.

  • Practice your physical diagnosis skills

    Students have extensive encounters with trained, simulated (or standardized) patients to continually assess their competencies in physical diagnosis skills in Standardized Performance Assessment Laboratories (SPALs).

  • Have your choice of electives

    DMU's wide array of electives allows students to explore different topics and individualize their education.

  • Train through quality clinical rotations

    During the third and fourth-year students are immersed in clinical training through rotations.

  • Set yourself up for success for your national board exams

    For the past several years, DMU students have scored higher than the national average on all COMLEX levels.

  • Choose from several student clubs

    There are many opportunities for students to get involved outside the classroom.

  • Learn all about the body in the Anatomy Lab

    The gross anatomy lab at DMU is state-of-the-art. It includes flat-screen monitors at each dissection station.

  • Receive support from peer tutors

    Second-year D.O. students volunteer to tutor first-year students - at no cost - helping them master the required sciences.

  • Find your match

    D.O. students at DMU are highly recruited into a wide variety of graduate medical programs throughout the country.

  • Have the option to become an OMM fellow

    Students can apply for a one-year OMM fellowship at DMU during the second year of the D.O. program.

  • Get two degrees at once with dual degrees

    Students can develop their leadership skills, understand health care needs and enhance their careers with a dual degree leading to a Master of Public Health, Master of Health Care Administration, Master of Science in Anatomy or Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences.

  • Participate in an international rotation

    Students can participate in international rotations and short-term trips through the Global Health department.

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