Overview of the Four-Year Curriculum
The first two years of osteopathic medical school emphasize the basic science foundation to medicine. In addition, students learn a core set of clinical examination skills and gain an understanding of the various systems of the body. The first two years of lectures, laboratories, and other learning experiences are designed to prepare the student for the last two years of medical school, which are the clinical clerkship years. Early clinical exposure is an important part of many curricula. Specific learning methods and curricula vary from college to college.
Below is a general guide to the material covered in the osteopathic medical school curriculum. Again, this is a general guide and is not specific to any school. Please check the colleges to which you are applying for a specific overview of that school’s curriculum.
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Year 1 |
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Anatomy
Physiology
Clinical Skills
Radiology
Osteopathic Principles and Practices
Microbiology and Immunology |
Neuroscience
Histology
Biochemistry
Pathology
Doctor/Patient Communication |
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Year 2 |
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Gerontology
Cardiology
Gastrointestinal System
Hematopoietic System
Osteopathic Principles and Practices
Endocrinology
Psychiatry |
Respiratory
Ethics and Jurisprudence
Family Medicine
Genitourinary System
Reproductive System
Pediatrics/Growth and Development
Pharmacology |
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Core Clinical Clerkships (Years 3 and 4) |
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Emergency Medicine
Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology |
Osteopathic Principles and Practices
Pediatrics
Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
Surgery |
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Other Clinical Clerkships (Years 3 and 4) |
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Anesthesiology
Cardiology
Gastroenterology
Laboratory Medicine
Nephrology
Neurology |
Oncology and Hematology
Orthopedics
Otorhinolaryngology
Pulmonary Medicine
Radiology |