Rocky Vista University - Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine - RVU-MCOM
Billings, Montana
Branch Campus
General Information
Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU-MCOM) is an independently operated branch campus of the established Rocky Vista University College. We are committed to producing graduates who not only are knowledgeable and skilled, but who also are ethical, compassionate, holistic, and patient-centered.
It is our goal that all MCOM students will practice the traditions of osteopathic principles, philosophy and heritage and will become well-rounded physicians equipped to meet the diverse needs of patients today and into the future.
Mission Statement
Closest City Billings, MT
Campus Setting
SuburbanFacilities
The 138,000 square foot RVU-MCOM campus facility is located on 12.8 acres overlooking the Beartooth Mountains in Billings, MT. Key features include modern architecture capitalizing on natural light, innovative technology throughout, a 23,000 square feet Simulation in Medicine & Surgery (SiMS) Center, group-based active learning spaces, an expansive anatomy lab for both cadavers and virtual reality, and a dedicated Osteopathic Clinical Skills lab. The SiMS Center employs a range of simulation tools including immersion room technology that can project virtually any visual scenario into the learning space using a 270O high-definition projector with image or videos captured from a 360-degree camera.
The thoughtfully planned health education building provides a learning environment that incorporates student wellness, resilience, and professionalism into the programming. Emphasis on physical and mental wellbeing flows throughout the campus and includes a yoga studio and full fitness center. The indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to build community by giving students places to gather.
Student Residence Options
RVU Montana offers a wide range of student activities and support services to enhance the medical school experience. Students can get involved in numerous clubs and organizations, including specialty-focused groups like the American College of Osteopathic Pediatrics (ACOP) and PsychSIGN (Psychiatry Student Interest Group Network). The Student Government Association (SGA) provides leadership opportunities, and the Peer Mentor Program helps new students transition smoothly into medical school life.
COM Accreditation Status MCOM has received programmatic accreditation by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The new campus also has regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University Affiliation(s) Rocky Vista University (Parker, CO)
-
2024-2025
Academic Year Enrollment
Total Medical School Enrollment
209
Total Male
TBA
Total Female
TBA
Total Other
TBA
First-Year Matriculants
128
First-Year Male Matriculants
55
First-Year Female Matriculants
73
First-Year Other Matriculants
0
Matriculants In-State
12
Matriculants Out-of-State
116
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Asian
18.8%
Black/African American
0.8%
Hispanic/Latino
8.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
White
66.4%
Multiple Races
0.8%
Undisclosed
3.1%
Majors of First-Year Matriculants
Science Majors
83.6%
Non-Science Majors
16.4%
Graduate Degrees
10.2%
Overview
Private Institution
For Profit
Rocky Vista University (Parker, CO)
Institutional Affiliation
2022
Year Founded
Suburban
Campus Setting
Campus Contact
Rocky Vista University - Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine - RVU-MCOM
Address
(406) 901-2700
Phone
Website
Admissions Office
Curricular Offerings
The design of the curriculum is based on a proven systems-based integrated academic model. It emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, guiding students to develop a holistic, and more importantly, an osteopathic approach to medicine. In utilizing a systems approach to medical education, basic biomedical science disciplines are integrated with clinical sciences in a fashion that reflects clinical relevancy, rather than broken down into individual segregated disciplines.
The overall curriculum is scheduled in blocks with intervening periods of integrations, reflection, wellness, and time for scholarly activity and electives. Weekly schedules follow a format of faculty guided Student Directed Learning during most afternoons and group Active Learning Sessions most mornings. Assessments are formative and summative with an emphasis on learning of material and competency of skill. MCOM continually correlates basic scientific information and methodology with fundamental clinical application.
Students are exposed to clinical settings and simulation beginning in their first semester and continuing throughout the first two years of coursework, giving them the opportunity to prepare for the “real world” of medicine. We believe that by adding early clinical skills, simulation, and active learning in a team or small group setting early in the curriculum will strengthen the students’ abilities to think critically, solve clinical problems, and develop the skills they will require to continue to learn throughout their careers. Professionalism and ethics are key components for a physician and are emphasized throughout the entire curricular experience at MCOM.
Third and fourth-year students are placed at one of our regional training sites throughout the state and region to ensure continuity and coordination of clinical education within RVU’s vast and growing clinical training network. The competency-based curriculum is designed to fulfill our mission of training students who are competent and ready to enter graduate medical education and training, with an emphasis on preparing students to become primary care physicians.
Preparatory/Postbaccalaureate Programs Offered
Master of Medical Sciences (MMS)
The Rocky Vista University MCOM Master of Medical Sciences Program is a 10-month program that provides students with a deep foundation in biomedical sciences, humanism, and professionalism in an immersive medical school environment.
Tracks and Special Programs
RVU-MCOM has developed several specialized educational
tracks and programs to further develop the education of
interested students. Tracks are a special interest concentration
program made up of elective courses and a capstone project.
Successful completion of a track is acknowledged on a student’s
Dean’s Letter and their transcript.
Currently offered tracks at MCOM include:
- Global Rural Wilderness Underserved Tribal (GRWUT) Medicine
- Military Medicine, and
- Research Education Academic Leadership (REAL) Medicine.
Premedical Coursework
Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Anatomy
RecommendedBiochemistry
Required3 semester hours
Biology/Zoology
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Organic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Physics
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Physiology
RecommendedBehavioral Sciences
RecommendedCollege English
Required6 semester hours
Math/Statistics
RecommendedAdmissions
RVU-MCOM operates on a rolling admissions basis. To receive a supplemental application, RVU-MCOM must receive the applicants verified AACOMAS application and meet minimum requirements. The admissions team will then send over the supplemental application. Upon receiving an applicants completed supplemental application, their application will be reviewed in full and an interview decision will be made. Following the interview, applicants are notified of the admissions committee's decision by email or phone call.
Interview Options: Virtual interviews only
Physician letter required? MD or DO
Virtual Shadowing Options? Will accept EITHER virtual or in-person shadowing
Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements? Yes
Accepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? No
Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No
Accepts online lab coursework? Yes
Primary Application Service: AACOMAS
Earliest Application Submission Date: May 5, 2025
Primary Application Deadline: June 12, 2026
Submission Timing for Best Consideration
First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors
Rocky Vista University seeks applicants who are not only academically prepared but also demonstrate a strong commitment to osteopathic principles, service, leadership, and professionalism. Competitive candidates should have a solid foundation in the sciences, strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of patient-centered, holistic care.
RVU values individuals with diverse life experiences, a passion for community service, and a dedication to improving healthcare access, especially in underserved areas. Applicants who can showcase resilience, teamwork, and a genuine desire to contribute to the osteopathic medical community will stand out in the admissions process.
International Students Accepted? Accepts International Students
Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? No
Application Interview Format: See Below
Interviews will be conducted virtually in an online format. Each candidate will interview with one-to-two individuals selected by the MCOM Office of Admissions. Interviewers will only have access to personal statements, work and volunteer experience, honors and awards, MCOM supplemental questions, and letters of recommendation. Interviewers will not have access to a candidate’s academic information or MCAT scores.
Interview questions may be based only on information from the supplemental application and non-academic information from the primary AACOMAS application. The length of the interview is approximately 30 minutes, and the style is relaxed and conversational to help determine a candidate’s fit for the expected culture of MCOM.
Early Decision Program (EDP)
EDP Offered? Yes
Admissions EDP Available For
Both In-state and Out-of-State
EDP Application Due Date
February 22, 2022
EDP Supplemental Materials Due
February 22, 2222
EDP Applicants Notified
February 22, 2222
EDP Applications Submitted To Other
We are finalizing the details of our EDP and hope to have the official dates from our legal team before this website goes live.Supplemental Application
Supplemental Application Required? Yes
Applicants must have: a verified AACOMAS application, a 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science) and a qualifying MCAT score taken within the last threeyears prior to matriculation.Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: May 14, 2025
Supplemental Application Deadline: June 12, 2026
Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants
Applicants must have: a verified AACOMAS application, a 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science) and a qualifying MCAT score taken within the last three years prior to matriculation.Supplemental Application Fee: $60
Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes
Supplemental fee waivers are available for candidates who are eligible to receive an AACOMAS fee waiver; and for U.S. Armed Forces Veterans or active duty (applicant or spouse of applicant).Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students
July 13, 2026
Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes
Admissions deferral requests are considered for accepted students with valid reasons like medical emergencies, personal hardships, or military service, subject to evaluation by the Dean.Acceptance/deposit deadlines conform to the AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines Schedule? Yes
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.
- Those accepted on or after May 1 may be asked by the accepting COM for an immediate deposit.
- After May 1 of the year of matriculation, each COM has the discretion to implement COM-specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other COMs.
Mean MCAT Score
500.9
Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score
3.55
Oldest MCAT Considered: January 11, 2023
Latest MCAT Score Accepted: February 2, 2222
Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation
- AACOMAS
Main Admissions Contact
(406) 901-2761
Phone
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
2024-2025 Academic Year
(The 2025-2026 Academic Year information will be posted when available.)
In-State Tuition
$64,500
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,500
Annual Fees
In-State Resident Fees
$3,737
Out-of-State Resident Fees
$3,737
Health Insurance Fee
$5,229
Tuition Fees Include
Estimates, Deposits, and More
Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs
$TBA
Average Graduate Indebtedness
$TBA
Acceptance Deposit
$1,000
Additional Deposit
$1,000
Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes
First deposit of $1000 is due 12/14 (or in accordance to AACOMAS traffic guidelines) and a second deposit of $1000 is due 3/1/2026.Deposit Refundable? No
Financial Aid Website https://www.rvu.edu/financial-aid/
Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 83%
Scholarships Offered? Yes
Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $57,407