Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine: An Overview

The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) stands as a leading institution in osteopathic medical education, research, and service. With a rich history and a commitment to holistic patient care, MSUCOM has significantly impacted healthcare in Michigan and beyond. The college offers a friendly atmosphere combined with access to the resources of a Big 10 campus.

History and Founding

MSUCOM's establishment marks a significant milestone in osteopathic medicine. Over 130 years ago, the osteopathic medical profession educates Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) who are licensed to practice all aspects of medicine and surgery in all 50 states, and numerous countries world-wide. D.O.s graduate from a college of osteopathic medicine and complete subsequent specialty training in residency programs and fellowships in hospitals, community health centers or other clinical settings. Given these progressive tenets, the state of Michigan was particularly welcoming to osteopathic physicians. As a result, in 1965, Michigan D.O.s, obtained a charter to establish an osteopathic medical school in the state. The establishment of MSUCOM was driven by the collaborative efforts of osteopathic doctors across Michigan.

In 1964, the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons secured a state charter and began fundraising for a new private osteopathic medical college. That same year, the Michigan legislature passed P.A. 162, which stated that “A school of osteopathic medicine is established and shall be located as determined by the state board of education at an existing campus of a state university with an existing school or college of medicine." On September 19, 1969, Michigan State University accepted the legislative mandate and agreed to create a new osteopathic medical school on their campus, making it the first osteopathic medical school based at a public university. In 1971, MCOM was moved to East Lansing and was given its current name of MSUCOM. Myron S. Magen, D.O.

Campus Locations and Facilities

MSUCOM operates across three primary sites:

East Lansing Campus: The 5,200-acre East Lansing campus of Michigan State University includes gardens, museums, performing arts and sports facilities and working farms. The area hosts a wide variety of musical events and festivals, offers monthly gallery walks, and has several active community theater groups.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'
Detroit Medical Center (DMC): The DMC site is located on the campus of the Detroit Medical Center in “midtown” Detroit, surrounded by several tertiary care hospitals and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center. Within two blocks you find the Detroit Public Library, Detroit Institute of Arts, three museums, and the Detroit Science Center.
Macomb University Center: The Macomb University Center site is within a 20-mile radius of seven hospitals which offer 600 osteopathic intern and resident positions.

These locations provide students with diverse learning environments and access to various clinical settings. MSUCOM does not provide campus housing.

Academics and Curriculum

The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine offers both a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree and a D.O.-Ph.D. Program for those who aspire to be physician-scientists, driven to serve patients and to research to find improvement and cures in health care. The college also offers opportunities to high school students and undergraduate college students to learn more about medical school and prepare for their future in our Pathway Programs. The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine offers a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for their careers, but academics are only part of the picture.

The educational objectives of the four-year course of study leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree were written to support the mission and vision of MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine while incorporating and transcending the seven core competencies of the osteopathic profession. These objectives explain the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that osteopathic medical students are expected to attain prior to graduation. They were informed by sources such as the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC). The assessment plan provides both theoretical framing and functional guidance for the assessment of outcomes at the college.

Pre-Clerkship Program (Years 1 and 2)

Students may enroll in one of three different sites during their first two years. First year classes begin in mid-June with an intensified gross anatomy class. The pre-clerkship program integrates basic sciences, clinical skills and systems biology. A state-of-the-art human simulation laboratory and standardized patient assessment program provide opportunities to build clinical skills and the preceptorship program for second year provides early clinical exposure.

Effective in summer 2023, courses in the D.O. curriculum will begin in July, preceded by an orientation program. The preclerkship curriculum consists of 91 required credit hours across six semesters, representing years one and two of the four-year program. The courses are offered in a predefined sequence. Successful completion of each course in a semester is required to advance to the following semester.

The first portion consists of introductory basic science, including: anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, physiology, etc. During this time, students also learn physical examination, doctor-patient interactions, and the principles of osteopathic palpatory diagnosis and manipulative therapy. After learning the biological foundations, the curriculum shifts to a body system focus where the integumentary, neuro-musculoskeletal, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive systems are detailed.

Clinical Clerkship Program (Years 3 and 4)

For the Clinical Clerkship Program in years three and four, students are assigned to one of more than 25 affiliated base hospital training sites in Michigan. Clinical rotations begin July 31 of the third year. The clerkship curriculum consists of 80 rotation weeks in years three and four of the four-year program following OST 601 (Transitions II-Classroom to Bedside). Students may advance to clinical rotations after successful completion of the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination. During the clerkship curriculum, students must successfully complete 40 weeks of required clinical clerkship core rotation courses and an additional 40 weeks of elective rotations to be selected from available required clinical clerkship elective rotation courses. Core rotation courses are scheduled by the COM Clerkship Office and Base Hospital training site and may occur in different sequences. Most core rotation courses are completed during year three. Required clinical elective clerkship rotation courses: The student must successfully complete 40 weeks of clinical clerkship elective rotation courses. Twelve (12) clinical elective weeks must be chosen from the non-surgery category and eight (8) clinical elective weeks must be chosen from the surgery category. Most elective rotations will be available in two (2) or four (4) week blocks. A maximum of eight (8) non-clinical rotation weeks may be selected to include rotations listed below or any elective clinical course completed in a virtual manner.

Dual Degree Programs

MSUCOM offers several dual-degree programs to enhance students' career prospects:

DO/MBA: Joint DO/MBA Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Master of Business Administration. For a student who is pursuing a full-time M.B.A. degree from MSU jointly with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from Michigan State University - College of Osteopathic Medicine, a maximum of 12 credits from the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine may be transferred to the full-time M.B.A.
DO/MPH: Joint DO/MPH-Joint degree in conjunction with the Michigan State University Program in Public Health.
DO/PhD: DO/PhD majors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, Genetics, Medical Anthropology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philosophy/Bioethics, Physiology and the interdepartmental program in Environmental Toxicology. MSUCOM's DO-PhD Physician Scientist Training Program, the first of its kind in the nation, was founded by Dr. Veronica Maher and Dr. Justin McCormick in 1979. The eight-year program is not organized in the traditional 2-4-2 MD-PhD arrangement, but starts with the first year of graduate coursework. This arrangement allows for more integration between the graduate research and medical school education. Most DO-PhD students complete PhDs through the BioMolecular Science program which includes: biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, pharmacology & toxicology, and physiology. However, there are graduate students in neuroscience, epidemiology, anthropology, and sociology.

Physician Assistant Program

The College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed its inaugural Physician Assistant program in the 2022-2023 academic year. The 27-month, 108-credit curriculum leads to the degree of Master of Science in PA Medicine. The curriculum allows PA students to team with other health professionals during both their didactic and clinical training experiences. The college’s PA students learn and work closely with D.O. students and are introduced to osteopathic medical philosophy to have a broader, more holistic approach to patient care.

Admissions

The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine invites all applicants to complete a secondary application. Early application is wise because the college admits its students on a rolling basis. Most Admissions Committee reviews are conducted between September and March. Selection of students for the class and for the waiting list is generally completed by early April. The standard duration of the D.O. degree program is four years; the maximum time for completion of all degree requirements is six years as defined in the MSUCOM Policy for Retention, Promotion, and Graduation. Applicant selection is made from a competitive applicant pool and depends on many aspects of the applicant such as GPA, MCAT, maturity, community service and life experiences.

Requirements

The science and practice of osteopathic medicine require an understanding of the relationships among the physical, biological, psychological, cultural, and environmental aspects of human behavior. Thus osteopathic education requires preparation in the natural, social, and behavioral sciences. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to work and think independently and in a scholarly manner. Completion of 8 semester credits of biology with no grade below 2.0, including both course work and laboratory work in general biology or general zoology. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) must be taken by the end of September of the year application is being made. An application must be completed and all official transcripts submitted to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). It is highly recommended that the application be submitted no later than September 1 of the application year for students who wish to begin classes the following summer.

MSUCOM looks for students who are academically accomplished, committed to service and well-versed in the philosophy of osteopathic medicine. In each area of evaluation, we examine your accomplishments within the context of your total life experience. Much like DOs approach their patients, we invite you to tell us your story. We use a rolling admission schedule. Early application is essential. Physician letter required? Virtual Shadowing Options? Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements? Accepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? Accepts online lab coursework? We use a rolling admission schedule. The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine seeks students who are academically accomplished, committed to service and well-versed in the philosophy of osteopathic medicine. of your total life experience. International Students Accepted? Supplemental Application Required?

Osteopathic Medical College (COM) applicants may be asked to submit necessary matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS traffic guideline schedule: Those accepted prior to November 15 to have until December 14. Those accepted between November 15 and January 14 to have 30 days Those accepted between January 15 and April 30 to have 14 days. Avg. Cum.

Research Initiatives

MSUCOM is a recognized leader in osteopathic medical research. Research isn’t only for faculty at MSUCOM. Our students can find opportunities to get involved with research within the college, with research programs and labs across the MSU campus and with our hospital partners, as well as participating in our annual Research Day. The Office for Research in the college supports and encourages this work and provides assistance to college-affiliated physicians and scientists and assists our medical students seeking research experience.

The college’s faculty have earned recognition for their numerous research programs, publications, and scholarly works, receiving funding from government and private agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD). In NIH funding alone, the college’s faculty secured ~$37 million between fiscal years 2019-2021, accompanied by thousands of publications.

MSUCOM is also home to the Applied Immunology Center for Education and Research (AICER), focused on discovering new immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. The college also has the oldest and largest D.O.-Ph.D.

Service and Outreach

Caring for and serving people is in our DNA. From their first day in medical school, our students work and advocate for the needs of others. With numerous student organizations, these future doctors and PAs work with faculty, alumni and volunteer physicians to care for others, including our most vulnerable patients through our outreach programs, like our three street medicine programs at each of our three sites - Detroit Street Care, Spartan Street Medicine and the Macomb County Street Medicine. Our student doctors also serve in the college’s other outreach programs: Community Integrated Medicine, Sports OMT and the Student OMM Clinic.

The college is home not only to most of MSU Health Care’s physicians, but also to MSU’s first street medicine programs. These programs are led by students serving underserved populations by meeting them where they are in each one of our medical school communities - Lansing, Detroit and Macomb County. These student-led clinics provide care each week, working alongside faculty and volunteer physicians, and working with community partners to holistically serve people experiencing homelessness through empathetic health care, offering medical treatment with follow up, connections to health education and social services, such as housing.

International Opportunities

Our medical students not only learn, research and serve in Michigan, but have opportunities to do the same internationally, building clinical skills working under the direction of faculty members and physicians in other countries. International Opportunities include electives available in numerous countries, including Mexico, South Korea, Peru and Cuba, and clerkships open in such countries as Cuba, Peru, and Malawi.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine is home to the Institute for Global Health (IGH), which serves as the focal point for global health information to all colleges at MSU since its creation 36 years ago. The mission of the Institute for Global Health is to support global health education, research and capacity building. As a result, the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine offers international opportunities for students to build not only their clinical skills, but also to expand their capacity to holistically approach the diverse populations they seek to serve. First and second-year students may take part in elective experiences in Guatemala, Malawi, Mexico, Dominican Republic, South Korea, Peru and Cuba.

Statewide Campus System (SCS)

MSUCOM's Statewide Campus System (SCS) is a national graduate medical education (GME) consortium that creates and delivers educational programs for residents, faculty and other healthcare professionals, complying with the American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation standards and corresponding licensure requirements. SCS also provides access to a repository of GME-related resources that supports faculty development, professional development and scholarly activity. Additionally, SCS collaborates with community-based hospitals to develop curricula that best meet the educational needs of their residents and fellows. The Statewide Campus System has a long-established network 28 community-affiliated teaching hospitals throughout Michigan and serves nearly 2,000 residents (osteopathic and allopathic) in 28 specialties and subspecialties. This community-based educational consortium is unique nationally among all medical schools. The College of Osteopathic Medicine conducts pre-clinical training at three sites: East Lansing, Detroit and Macomb. Clinical training for the third- and fourth-year students occurs at hospitals throughout Michigan affiliated with the Statewide Campus System. Currently, there are nearly 30 hospital locations affiliated with MSUCOM. In 2017, MSUCOM's Statewide Campus System was named as one of the five regional assessment training centers by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. St. St. Other SCS Affiliated groups include: Detroit Metro Urological Surgery Consortium, Hamilton Community Network, Hillsdale Community Health Center, Oakwood Healthcare System Dearborn, ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, ProMedical Toledo Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston and Oakland, and St. Mary Mercy Hospital.

Impact and Statistics

Since 2009, the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine has annually matriculated ~300 medical students into its three sites - MSU’s East Lansing campus, the Detroit Medical Center in Detroit, and the Macomb University Center in Macomb County. Indeed, over 25% of the currently licensed and actively practicing physicians in the state of Michigan are D.O.s, with the majority of these D.O.s also being alumni of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. Moreover, despite not being the oldest nor largest medical school in Michigan, the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine has more physician alumni practicing in Michigan than any other medical school in the state. Furthermore, over 2,400 alumni of the college are currently practicing in critically needed primary care specialties in Michigan, which is greater than all primary care alumni from the other six Michigan medical schools combined. Additionally, MSUCOM has the largest number of its alumni practicing in medically underserved areas, with around 1,400 alumni - nearly matching the total number of physicians practicing in underserved areas who are alumni of the six other Michigan medical schools combined. To translate this impact to people, more than 1.7 million individuals residing in Michigan's rural areas, and over 4.3 million Michiganders currently residing in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage areas are receiving care from D.O. The economic impacts of our college are equally amazing.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine graduates an average of 300 osteopathic medical students each year. First- and second-year medical students learn from the MSU East Lansing campus or either of our southwest Michigan sites at the Detroit Medical Center and Macomb University Center. Our third- and fourth-year students are in clinical rotations at partner hospitals across the state. In addition, the college graduated its first class of 32 PA Medicine students in August 2024.

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