This guide contains a list of the ten top Osteopathic Medical Schools (DO Schools) in the world.
It is possible you have experienced what it feels like to have a broken bone, or you know someone who has had a broken bone, and the bone(s) was effectively treated by an osteopath.
This single reason among many others may be why you have decided to pursue Osteopathic medicine as your dream career.
Hence, if you are looking for the best Osteopathic Medical Schools, this guide will help.
In this guide, I will tell you the difference between MD and DO, how long it takes to Study Osteopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medical Schools’ tuition fees, and the best Osteopathic Medical Schools in the world.
What is Osteopathic medicine?
Osteopathic medicine is a branch of medicine aimed at strengthening the whole part of the body either with or without drugs or non-invasive therapy.
It is an aspect of medicine that promotes the body’s self-healing ability. It focuses on the whole body of a patient rather than just the symptom or a particular disease.
Furthermore, it helps in disease prevention of the muscles, tissues, and bones and as well as how to control disease.
What Is The Major Difference Between MD And DO?
You may be wondering what the difference between a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and the regular Medical Doctor you are quite conversant with is.
A Medical Doctor majorly focuses on treating a specific disease condition, although they may have an idea of other diseases while a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine deals with the whole body healing with or without medicines.
Both doctors are important, although they may have specialties, their goal is to improve the health standard of people.
How Long Does It Take To Study Osteopathic Medicine?
This is definitely one of the questions you must have pondered about. It will take roughly 7-8 years to study Osteopathic Medicine.
Osteopathic Medicine is typically a 7 years course, 4 years of undergraduate study which is followed by internship, residencies, and fellowships. You should be prepared to spend about 7-8 years in school.
How Much Is The Tuition Fee To Study Osteopathic Medicine?
Studying Osteopathic Medicine may be quite expensive but always have in mind that good things aren’t cheap.
You will eventually get to earn far more than the cost you paid to study. To study osteopathic medicine, you should budget about $20,000- $30,000 or more for a year, so for the 4 years, you should have a budget of like $80,000-$120,000 or more. It is important you budget more in case of unforeseen circumstances.
How Much Is An Osteopathic Physician Salary?
The salary earned may be based on certain criteria like years of experience, certificate, organization, and so on but basically the salary range for an Osteopathic physician is between $144,418-$237,700. You should know an osteopath may earn less or more than that.
10 Best Osteopathic Medical Schools
Here is the list of the top ten best DO schools you should consider when pursuing a career in Osteopathic Medicine.
1. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the best Osteopathic medical schools. The is an American osteopathic medical school with the main campus in the neighborhood of Central Harlem in New York City, New York, and an additional campus located in Middletown, New York, 60 miles from New York City in the Hudson Valley. It is a private and non – profit school.
Location: Touro college of osteopathic medicine is located at 230 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027, United States.
Touro College Of Osteopathic Medicine offers two-degree programs namely:
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, (MSCHE). It has an acceptance rate of 16% and an MCAT score of 507.
2. Lake Erie College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is also among the top Osteopathic schools in the world for study.
This is one of the best private graduate schools that assist students to become dentists, pharmacist,s and physicians. Its main campus is in Pennsylvania and branches in Greenburg, Florida, New York, Elmira, Bradenton, etc.
At the Erie, Pennsylvania campus, there are four learning pathways which are:
- The Lecture-Discussion Pathway (LDP)
- Problem-Based Learning Pathway (PBL)
- Directed Studies Pathway (DSP)
- Primary Care Scholars Pathway (PCSP)
While the Greensburg, Bradenton, Florida, and Elmira campuses enroll students in Problem – Based Learning Pathway (PBL) only.
Location: Lake Erie college of osteopathic medicine is located at 1858 W Grandview Blvd, Erie, PA 16509, United States.
Acceptance rate: It has an acceptance rate of 8% with a minimum 2.7 GPA and an average of 3.2.
Accreditation: American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
3. Rowan University School Of Osteopathic Medicine
This is a public medical school for Osteopathic medicine, established in 1976. Rowan University School is one of the best DO schools that provides quality education for students.
The following degrees are offered:
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- JD Combined Degree Program
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- D. in Cell and Molecular Biology
Location: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine is located at, 1 Medical Center Dr, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
Acceptance rate: It has an acceptance rate of 7% with an average GPA of 3.59 and an average MCAT score of 505.
Accreditation: American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
It also offers two Pre-Clerkship curriculum tracks: Synergistic Guided Learning (SGL) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL).
4. Victoria University Of Australia
Victoria University is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Victoria University of Australia is no doubt one of the best Osteopathic Medical Schools, as it provides courses in both higher education and Technical and Further Education.
Location: Victoria University of Australia is located at, Ballarat Rd, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia and was founded in the year 1916.
Acceptance rate: The acceptance rate is not specified.
Accreditation: The Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council
It offers Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy) and Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) respectively.
Victoria University of Australia Website
5. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is the osteopathic medical school of Michigan State University located in East Lansing, Michigan.
It provides world-class Osteopathic education to students, and it is obviously one of the best DO schools in the world.
Location: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is located at 308 E. Fee Hall, 965 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Acceptance rate: It has an acceptance rate of 7% with an MCAT score of 507 with a 3.63 average GPA.
Accreditation: American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
Michigan State University College Of Osteopathic Medicine offers:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program
- Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) program
- Master of Science (MS) program
Michigan State University Website
6. Edward Via College Of Osteopathic Medicine
This is one of the best schools to study osteopathic medicine. It is also very competitive with a 12% acceptance rate. It is located at 2265 Kraft Dr SW, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States.
Acceptance rate: 12% with MCAT score of 500.
Accreditation: American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
This school offers a one-degree program which is Doctor of Osteopathy (DO).
7. West Virginia School Of Osteopathic Medicine
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is a student-friendly school that helps build student passion.
It is considered to be one of the best Osteopathic schools in the United States and is definitely a good option for you.
Location: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is located at 400 Lee St, Lewisburg, WV 24901, United States.
Acceptance rate: It has an acceptance rate of 9% with an average GPA of 3.51 and an average MCAT score of 501.
Accreditation: American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
West Virginia School Of Osteopathic Medicine Website
8. University Of Pikeville Kentucky College Of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private college, established in the year 1997.
This is one of the best DO schools in the world as it is dedicated to bringing out the best in students and training well-equipped osteopaths.
It offers the following degree:
- Master’s Degree
- Doctoral Degree
- First Professional Degree
- Doctor of Osteopathy (DO).
Location: It is located at, 147 Sycamore St, Pikeville, KY 41501, USA.
Acceptance rate: It has an acceptance rate of 8% with an average GPA of 3.50 its average MCAT score of 501.
Accreditation: American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
University Of Pikeville Website
9. Marian University College Of Osteopathic Medicine
This is a highly competitive Catholic-based University that provides students with what they need to become the best osteopaths.
Marian University College Of Osteopathic Medicine is also one of the best Osteopathic Medical Schools in the world.
Location: It is located at,3200 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46222, United States
Acceptance rate: 16% with an average GPA of 3.66 and an average MCAT score of 504.
Accreditation: American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
10. Alabama College Of Osteopathic Medicine
This is a private medical school for osteopathic medicine. It is a highly competitive medical school, hence, it is one of the top Osteopathic Medical Schools.
Location: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine is located at, 445 Health Sciences Blvd, Dothan, AL 36303, United States.
Acceptance rate: 10% an average GPA of 3.33 and an average MCAT score of 501.
Accreditation: American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
Alabama College Of Osteopathic Medicine Website
List of Other DO Schools
Below is a list of other DO Schools that you could also put into consideration.
- Des Moines University College of Osteopathic medicine
- Liberty University College of Osteopathic medicine
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic medicine
- The University of New England College of Osteopathic medicine
- Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
20 Jobs You Can Do With A Degree In Osteopathic Medicine
As an Osteopaths, it is important to know that you can choose a specialty to practice. You can choose to prescribe drugs, perform surgery, or practice medicine.
Apart from that, there are many other jobs you can engage yourself in with an Osteopathic Medicine career.
Here is a list of 20 jobs that you can do if you have a degree in Osteopathic Medicine.
- Physician
- Staff Physician
- Resident
- Research Assistant
- Chief Resident
- Residency In Internal Medicine
- Medical Director
- Nuclear Medicine Internship
- Clinical Instructor
- Acute Care Physician
- Physician Assistant
- Family Practice Physician
- Resident Physician
- Primary Care Physician
- Internal Audit Internship
- Assistant Professor
- Faculty
- Resident Athletic Trainer
- Volunteer
- Assistant
These are just a few among many others.
Osteopathic medicine is a very good career and will be in high demand all over the world. It is a profession that attracts respect with very high pay.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine also get full licenses to practice osteopathic medicine. To students aspiring to study it in Osteopathic Medical Schools, above are the top ten schools to consider when choosing your school of study.
That’s all on the best ten DO schools in the world.
I hope this guide was helpful?