Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine - ACOM

Dothan, Alabama

Primary Campus

Overview Curricular Premedical Coursework Admissions Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid Apply Now

General Information

The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), established to help address the physician workforce shortage in the state of Alabama and surrounding region, is Alabama’s first osteopathic medical school and the academic division of a regional facility, Southeast Health.

  • ACOM campus building
  • ACOM Simulation Center
  • ACOM Students practicing OMM

Mission Statement

ACOM’s mission is to provide quality, learner-centered osteopathic education, research, and service, while promoting graduate medical education, with emphasis on patient-centered, team-based primary care to serve the medically underserved areas of Alabama, the Tri-State area, and the nation.
Admissions Processes During the Pandemic

Interview Options: Virtual or In-Person

Physician letter required? MD or DO

Virtual Shadowing Options? Virtual or In-Person Accepted

Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements? Yes

Accepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? Yes

Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No

Accepts online lab coursework? Yes

Facilities

Closest City Dothan, Alabama

Campus Setting

Suburban

Facilities

The ACOM campus is designed to provide the full student experience with a 110,000-square-foot facility equipped with research and team-based learning centers, as well as a stand-alone 10,000 -square-foot simulation center. The college also features large anatomy and osteopathic principles and practice labs, a 16-room performance exam suite, a primarily electronic library, numerous study group rooms and a bistro with accompanying student lounge.

The 200-acre campus includes a wooded walking trail, outdoor pavilion and garden, outdoor fitness area, large green spaces and a paved walking/biking path to local shops and restaurants. In addition to the main campus facility, ACOM has a rural primary care clinic a few miles from the campus, where students train with clinical faculty.

Student Residence Options

ACOM is partnered with Corvias Campus Living to provide on-campus housing options for students. Summerfield Square, an apartment-style community, offers studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with private bathrooms, ample storage, and spacious floor plans, with amenities including a clubhouse with a fitness center, pool, and fire pit. In addition, Dothan provides an array of affordable housing opportunities for ACOM students within a short distance of the college. Private apartment and townhome complexes with amenities desirable to students and young professionals are conveniently located throughout the area and in neighboring communities. 
Accreditation & Affiliation

COM Accreditation Status The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). ACOM graduated its inaugural class in May 2017 and obtained full accreditation at that time.

Institutional Affiliation ACOM is an academic division of Southeast Health, a regional health system, located in Dothan, AL.

Student Demographics
  • Entering Class 2022

Academic Year Enrollment

Total Medical School Enrollment

760

Total Male

364

Total Female

396

Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions

760

First-Year Matriculants

207

First-Year Male Matriculants

89

First-Year Female Matriculants

118

Matriculants In-State

23

Matriculants Out-of-State

184

Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.0%

Asian

28.0%

Black/African American

3.4%

Hispanic/Latino

15.0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.0%

White

48.3%

Multiple Races

0.5%

Undisclosed

4.8%

Majors of First-Year Matriculants

Science Majors

86%

Non-Science Majors

14%

Graduate Degrees

31%

Alabama College ACOM seal

Overview

Private Institution

Non-Profit

ACOM is an academic division of Southeast Health, a regional health system, located in Dothan, AL.

Institutional Affiliation

2010

Year Founded

Suburban

Campus Setting

Main Contact

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine - ACOM

445 Health Sciences Boulevard, Dothan, Alabama 36303

Address

(334) 699-2266

Phone

Admissions Office

(334) 699-2266

Phone

Curricular Offerings

Pre-clinical curriculum is delivered through a hybrid, discipline- and system-based model. In the first semester, students are presented core concepts in a discipline-based manner, including basic foundational sciences and anatomy with cadaver dissection.

Further pre-clinical instruction utilizes a system-based format, concentrating on clinical integration with a patient-centered focus. This is complemented by longitudinal instruction in osteopathic principles and practice (OPP), team-based learning activities, simulation and early standardized patient encounters.

Students participate in additional patient encounters through the Southeast Health ACOM Ashford Clinic. Third- and fourth-year clinical curriculum is delivered at community-based hospitals and clinics utilizing an extensive network of physicians throughout Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. ACOM offers two fellowship programs, one focusing on anatomy and OPP, and the other centered on clinical simulation.

Preparatory Programs

Preparatory/Postbaccalaurete Programs Offered

Basic Science Boot Camp
ACOM is offering an optional four-week intensive Basic Science Boot Camp for interested incoming first-year students. The boot camp is designed for students who want to gain early exposure to Medical Gross Anatomy and Molecular Medicine. The session meets from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday on the ACOM campus.

The first three weeks will focus on anatomy and the fourth week will focus on molecular medicine and physiology. This is an optional boot camp, so while any quizzes will be graded and returned to students, the grades will not be recorded. The boot camp is strictly designed for participants to enhance their skills and knowledge, and as such, is not part of their academic record. https://www.acom.edu/basicsciencebootcamp/

Special Programs

Anatomy and Osteopathic Principles & Practice Fellowship Program
The Anatomy/OPP Fellowship Program through the Departments of Anatomy and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine is designed to expand the educational opportunities for selected students with guided learning experiences in the areas of medical education, research, Osteopathic Principles and Practices, and Anatomy while they assist in all phases of the departments’ operations. An important emphasis of the Fellowship program is to formally train the students in medical education and begin a journey to achieve master’s level experience and preparation to become excellent teachers and faculty.

Clinical Simulation Fellowship Program
The Clinical Simulation Fellowship is designed to expand the educational opportunities for selected students with guided learning experiences in the areas of medical education, research, and Clinical Simulation while they assist in all phases of the ACOM Division of Clinical Sciences’ operation. An important emphasis of the Fellows program is to formally train the student in medical education and begin a journey to achieve master’s level experience and preparation to become excellent teachers and faculty.

Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs

Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs Offered

DO/MBA
Concurrent Degree Program with Troy University Dothan

DO/MPH
Concurrent Degree Program with Samford University

DO/MSM
Concurrent Degree Program with Troy University Dothan to obtain a Master of Science in Management, specializing in Leadership

DO/MSADE
Concurrent Degree Program with Troy University for ACOM Student Fellows to obtain the Master of Science in Adult Education (Non-Certification Program). Only offered to students accepted into the ACOM Anatomy/OPP Fellowship or Simulation Fellowship

Premedical Coursework

Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Science Courses
Anatomy
Recommended
Biochemistry
Recommended
Biology/Zoology
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Chemistry (Organic)
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Genetics
Recommended
Physics
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Physiology
Recommended
Non-Science Courses
Behavioral Sciences
Recommended
College English
Required

6 semester hours

Math/Statistics
Recommended

Admissions

Admission to ACOM is competitive and selective. Any undergraduate major is acceptable, as long as prerequisites are passed and taken for credit at an accredited college or university. Completed applications are reviewed by the admissions staff to evaluate a candidate’s academic ability, knowledge of and commitment to the tenets of osteopathic medicine, experience in health care and human services, community service, professionalism, communication skills, and personal integrity.

The Admissions team reviews all verified applications and students who meet our admissions criteria will be asked to submit a supplemental application with supporting materials. An application is considered complete once all of the required documents have been received. Completed applications are reviewed using standards set by the Admissions Committee.

The review process usually takes a few weeks. The Director of Admissions will send invitations to students who qualify for an on-campus or Zoom interview based on the standards. ACOM does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or creed, national or ethnic origin, or disability in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students.

Application Information

Primary Application Service: AACOMAS

Earliest Application Submission Date: May 4, 2023

Primary Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Submission Timing for Best Consideration

For best consideration, applicants should submit their AACOMAS application at least four weeks prior to the deadline.

First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors

The major criteria for rating applicants are academic and non-academic achievements. Academic assessments include: Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, grades and Grade Point Averages (GPA). Personal characteristics include: the applicant’s ability and desire to fulfill the college’s commitment to the primary care and underserved needs of Alabama and the region, personal experiences with patient populations, physician shadowing, community/volunteer service, leadership positions and honors received. Letters of recommendation play a major role in the assessment of applicants.

International Students Accepted? Does Not Accept International Students

Application Interview Format: See Below

The interview agenda consists of a full-day program with college and curriculum overviews, one 30-minute open-file interview with two ACOM faculty/staff members. Candidates will have the opportunity to meet with ACOM students on the interview day. Applicant interviews are held from August through April.

Early Decision Program (EDP)

EDP Offered? No

EDP Applications Submitted To AACOMAS

Supplemental Application

Supplemental Application Required? Yes

Verified primary applications are screened for minimum academic requirements. Selected applicants will receive an email with a link to complete an online supplemental (secondary) application. Three (3) required essays are part of the supplemental application. A $50 non-refundable supplemental application fee is required.

Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: June 1, 2023

Supplemental Application Deadline: April 15, 2024

Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants

Supplemental applications are sent to qualifying applicants based on minimum GPA and MCAT score.

Supplemental Application Fee: $50

Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No

Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes

Students receiving AACOMAS waiver are automatically eligible for ACOM waiver.
Acceptances/Deposit Schedule

Earliest Acceptance Date

July 1, 2023

Latest Acceptance Date

July 15, 2024

Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students

July 22, 2024

Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes

Deferred entrance may be requested by contacting the admissions department with specific circumstances to be considered.

Acceptance/deposit deadlines conform to the AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines Schedule? Yes

Submitting the deposit within the relevant dates listed below indicates acceptance:

Applicants will be requested to submit necessary matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS traffic guideline schedule:

  • Those accepted prior to November 15 will have until December 14
  • Those accepted between November 15 and January 14 will have 30 days
  • Those accepted between January 15 and April 30 will have 14 days.
  • Those accepted on or after May 1 may be asked for an immediate deposit.
  • After May 1 of the year of matriculation, each medical college may implement college-specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other medical colleges.
MCAT/GPA Information

Mean MCAT Score

504.5

Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score

3.47

Oldest MCAT Considered: July 31, 2018

Accept September 2023 MCAT Scores? Yes

Accept January 2024 MCAT Scores? Yes

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

  • AACOMAS
  • Interfolio
  • Paper

Main Admissions Contact

(334) 699-2266

Phone

Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid

The tuition and fees below are from the prior 2022-23 academic year and may have changed for this current application cycle. Please confirm the latest rates with the institution.
Tuition

In-State Tuition

$57,658

Out-of-State Tuition

$57,658

Fees

Annual Fees

In-State Resident Fees

$250

Out-of-State Resident Fees

$250

Health Insurance Fee

$3,036

Tuition Fees Include

Computer
Technology (not computer)

Estimates, Deposits, and More

Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs

$29,480

Average Graduate Indebtedness

$299,020

Acceptance Deposit

$2,000

Additional Deposit

$0

Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes

Deposit Refundable? No

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Website https://www.acom.edu/financial-aid/

Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 80.10%

Scholarships Offered? Yes

Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $65,658