Each osteopathic medical school has its own curriculum. Some are discipline-based, focusing on each science separately. Others allow students to learn through patient-based, or problem-based, learning. Many use a mix of methods. Osteopathic medical school starts with a foundation in the basic sciences of medicine. In addition, students learn a core set of clinical examination skills and gain an understanding of the various systems of the body. Lectures, laboratories, and other learning experiences are designed to prepare students for the clinical portion of medical school—the clinical clerkship years.
Integration of the basic and clinical sciences through early clinical exposure is an important part of the curriculum. While specific learning methods and curricular offerings vary from college to college, the chart provides a general guide to the material covered in the osteopathic medical school curriculum. Please check the college to which you are applying for specifics.