Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine: An Overview

Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-WCOM) is a Catholic medical school committed to training osteopathic physicians for Indiana. Consistent with the Catholic university’s four core Franciscan sponsorship values and the tenets of osteopathic medicine, MU-WCOM aims to provide an education that “profoundly transforms lives, society, and the world.”

A Foundation Built on Franciscan Values

Located on 114 wooded acres six miles from downtown Indianapolis, Marian University is rooted in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. The Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana, continue to sponsor Marian University. The four core Franciscan values are:

Dignity of the individual
Peace and justice
Reconciliation
Responsible stewardship

These values permeate the educational experience at MU-WCOM.

Establishment and Location

The Board of Trustees approved the development of the Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine on March 5, 2010. On July 24, 2010, the Marian University Bylaws were amended by the Board of Trustees to include the Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine. MU-WCOM is housed with the Alan and Sue Leighton School of Nursing in the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences. The 140,000 square foot structure is located on the southeast corner of the Marian University campus. The Overlook at Riverdale is the newest housing option for Marian University medical and graduate students, offering on-campus apartment accommodations.

Mission and Vision

MU-WCOM is a Catholic medical institution built on the inspired vision and values of our Franciscan heritage. It is dedicated to preparing osteopathic physicians who are committed to the complete healing of individuals’ bodies, minds, and spirits. The college welcomes students of all faiths who seek an educational experience framed within the context of our Franciscan sponsorship values of dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship. MU-WCOM is an institution committed to serving the people of Indiana and to developing osteopathic physicians through research, service, and teaching.

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Curriculum Overview

MU-WCOM’s goal is to create a quality professional education program emphasizing osteopathic training in primary care and public service activities provided to diverse populations of individuals and cultures, including the underprivileged and medically underserved. The MU-WCOM curriculum is modeled after recommendations contained in the Carnegie Report 2010. It is system-based, with foundational clinical cases and group study. Students are exposed to clinical experiences in years one and two. The curriculum is competency-based with student assessment of learning and skills.

MU-WCOM faculty use the 2011 National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiner (NBOME)’s Fundamental Osteopathic Medical Competencies and critical elements in creating teaching materials. The curriculum promotes and measures a strong and integrated foundation of biomedical and clinical sciences which can be applied to patient care. This allows students to serve individuals and cultures, including rural and medically-underserved populations locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The program provides all learners with a strong foundational knowledge in primary care which will allow you to practice in a multitude of practice settings and in any specialty.

Osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) are delivered longitudinally across all four years of education.

Years One and Two

In the first semester of MU-WCOM’s medical curriculum, students focus on foundational subjects such as anatomy and biomedical sciences. They are also introduced to clinical skills and osteopathic principles and practice through parallel courses. As the program progresses into subsequent semesters, it transitions to an integrated systems-based approach, enhancing knowledge of the body’s interconnected physiological systems. In the second year, students advance their clinical skills through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) with standardized patients while focusing on board exam preparation. The Professional Identity Formation (PIF) series, a longitudinal co-curricular activity, promotes self-reflection on personal and professional development.

Years Three and Four

During the third year, students transition from classroom-based learning to clinical training, spending time in direct patient care settings. The third-year curriculum consists of ten months of clinical rotations, with nine months of core/ required rotations and one month for an elective or vacation rotation. Students complete two one-month rotations in Family Medicine, Surgery, and Internal Medicine; one month in Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics/Gynecology; and an elective month in a clinical specialty of their choice or a vacation. This immersive experience allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare settings under preceptor supervision. They also dedicate time to studying for exams, such as the end-of-rotation Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Tests (COMATs) and the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) Level 1 and Level 2-CE.

The fourth-year curriculum consists of ten months of clinical rotations that include a sub-internship, selectives, and electives aligned with career goals and desired specialty.

Rotations

The third year includes rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. Family medicine, emergency medicine, and internal medicine are eight weeks, and all the others are four-week rotations. Medicine and emergency medicine have been split into a third- and a fourth-year rotation. Radiology has been included as a skill set, along with ortho/sports medicine, emphasizing the primary care aspects of the curriculum. The rotations expose students to the practice of medicine outside of an urban setting, and the fourth-year component to family medicine and emergency medicine as well as a Public Health rotation.

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences

The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree includes two tracks for students to choose from. With the one-year track, students have the opportunity to enhance their medical or professional school applications by completing graduate science courses similar to the first year of medical school. With the two-year curriculum, students who wish to pursue a career in the life/biomedical sciences field or in research laboratories can gain the skills and credentials needed to do so. Courses are taught by Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-WCOM) faculty, giving students an opportunity to learn and work with professors who have shared research interests. The BMS program does not require completion of the MCAT exam for admission. The one-year Capstone track is designed to enhance medical or professional school applications by offering graduate science courses.

Admissions Process

Using a holistic philosophy, the admissions team reviews application materials to see how an applicant's characteristics and interests align with MU-WCOM's mission. Applicants who meet minimum academic requirements will be sent an invitation and instructions on how to complete a supplemental application. MU-WCOM uses a rolling admissions process. Marian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age, or disability in the recruiting and selection of students for admission.

MU-WCOM seeks to admit students who have characteristics and interests that align with its mission. A number of factors influence admissions decisions including MCAT scores, science GPA, overall GPA, personal accomplishments, future career interests, and other factors which play a role in the selection process. Each admitted COM student reflects the diversity of accomplishments, talents, interests, and backgrounds valued by MU-WCOM and demonstrates academic excellence. A bachelor’s degree and the MCAT are required for admission.

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International Students

MU-WCOM attracts students from all over the world and will continue to enroll students from outside the United States. International applicants must meet particular conditions for admittance and enrollment including transcript evaluation, English language requirements, and financial resources documentation for MU-WCOM. Undergraduate course work taken at a foreign institution must be evaluated for United States institution equivalence.

Supplemental Application

A supplemental application is required, consisting of multiple short answer questions as well as yes/no questions. If granted a fee waiver via AACOM or AAMC, MU-WCOM will honor the waiver for the supplemental application.

Prerequisite Requirements and Recommendations

To be considered for the program, it is recommended that applicants complete the required undergraduate and/or graduate courses. Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible for admission and must submit scores from the MCAT. The minimum MCAT score accepted is 494. The MCAT must be taken within three years of the matriculation year. At least three letters of recommendation are required from individuals who know the applicant professionally and can speak to qualities such as character, work ethic, academic background, scientific ability, empathy, compassion, resilience, emotional intelligence, commitment, and understanding of the healthcare field.

Early Decision Program

In order to identify highly qualified students who have indicated MU-WCOM as their first-choice medical school, 10 spots in the incoming DO cohort are reserved for the Early Decision Program (EDP). If applying to the COM through the EDP, applicants are prohibited from applying to other medical schools until they’ve been notified about their admission decision and have two weeks after the date of their admission to pay their admission deposits.

Application Steps

Submit a primary application. If you have a planned MCAT date, include it in the AACOMAS application.
Primary applications are screened for minimum academic requirements, prior to an invitation to complete a supplemental application.
Our preferred method of submitting letters of recommendation is through AACOMAS, but letters may be sent via Interfolio or Virtual Evals, after receiving a supplemental application invitation.
Interview: MU-WCOM uses a combination of synchronous and asynchronous interviewing format.
Wait for the admissions committee decision.

Osteopathic Medicine at MU-WCOM

MU-WCOM is dedicated to preparing osteopathic physicians who are committed to the complete healing of individuals’ bodies, minds, and spirits. The curriculum promotes and measures a strong and integrated foundation of biomedical and clinical sciences which can be applied to patient care. This allows students to serve individuals and cultures, including rural and medically-underserved populations locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The program provides all learners with a strong foundational knowledge in primary care which will allow you to practice in a multitude of practice settings and in any specialty. Osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) are delivered longitudinally across all four years of education.

Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive pathway to medical practice in the United States. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) are fully licensed physicians with a medical degree and post-doctoral residency training (typically ranging from 3-7 years) that enables them to practice in any medical specialty. In addition to receiving the same medical training as other physicians, osteopathic medical students also learn osteopathic principles and practice receiving 200+ hours of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) during medical school. As a DO, you are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and can obtain licenses in numerous countries abroad. As a DO, you have the opportunity to train in any medical specialty. Fifty-seven percent of all DOs choose a primary care specialty.

Clinical Partnerships

As a DO student at Marian University, you will benefit from relationships with more than 200 clinical partners across Indiana in urban, suburban, township, and rural areas. These clinical partners include:

Ascension St. Vincent Health Network
- St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital
- St. Vincent Fishers Hospital
- St. Vincent Carmel Hospital
- Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent
- St. Vincent Women’s Hospital
- St. Vincent Heart Center Indianapolis
- St. Vincent Heart Center Carmel
- St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital
- St. Vincent Kokomo Hospital
- St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital
Community Howard Regional Health
Community Hospital of Anderson and Madison County
Indianapolis Endoscopy Center
Community Heart and Vascular Hospital
Baptist Health
Franciscan St.

Research Opportunities

Research and scholarly activity are important aspects of medical education for both faculty and medical students. Indianapolis provides Marian University students with excellent opportunities to explore their interests and stay informed about the latest trends, concepts, and theories in healthcare research. As a student, you can access research opportunities in clinical and translational facilities affiliated with top global pharmaceutical, biomedical, and life science companies headquartered in Indianapolis, as well as nationally and internationally recognized hospitals throughout the city.

As a DO student at Marian University, you can engage in multidisciplinary campus research projects, collaborating with faculty researchers who will mentor and guide you every step of the way, cultivating your appreciation for the role of research in medicine. At MU-WCOM, outstanding mentorship supports research interests in various ways.

Dual Degree Program: DO/MPH

For those pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and passionate about their community’s well-being, consider earning a dual degree in public health! The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Public Health offers MU-WCOM students the opportunity to pursue a Certificate in Public Health and a Master of Public Health during their four years of medical school.

Support and Wellness

MU-WCOM offers support and opportunities to empower students to build capacity and create an environment that fosters a sense of belonging. Wellness and well-being are cultures that are continually built and assessed, with programs, services, and initiatives constantly being evaluated and best practices implemented as they become available.

KnightWell Dimensions of Wellness

KnightWell is a student-driven initiative that coordinates programs and services to provide a transformative experience for health professions students for well-being.

Mentoring Program: Get paired with second- and third-year students who can help you navigate your first year.
Graduate Learning Specialists: Here to help you during your first two years, offering guidance with learning strategies, content organization, test-taking skills, time management, and more.
One-On-One Appointments: Personalized sessions are offered because each learning style is unique and always evolving.

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