Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine - PNWU-COM

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

General Information

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM) is dedicated to attracting students from communities of the Pacific Northwest region (i.e., WA, OR, ID, MT and AK), and rural or medically underserved areas throughout the United States, offering an excellent osteopathic medical education. PNWU-COM utilizes community-based hospitals and physician preceptor clinics for an integral part of the clinical education in regional sites throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The college focuses on medical education utilizing the osteopathic principles and practices in the training of a new generation of physicians who will be encouraged to live, work and serve in the communities in which they have received their medical education experiences.

  • PNWU-COM students
  • PNWU-COM students in OMM class
  • PNWU-COM Campus

Mission Statement

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM) educates and trains students to become osteopathic physicians that provide research-driven quality care to communities of the Northwest, particularly in rural and medically underserved populations.
Facilities

Closest City Yakima, WA. Suburban, Rural

Campus Setting

Rural

Facilities

  • Butler-Haney Hall is a 68,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility with a large auditorium and numerous classrooms for large- and small-group interaction, a spacious gross anatomy laboratory for pro-section and dissection, a large teaching lab for osteopathic manipulative medicine, research facilities, and a large clinical skills area for patient simulation and standardized patient interaction. Butler-Haney is designed with technology that enhances the student learning environment, and is home to the COM Dean, faculty, Academic Support, Library and Technology Services. 
  • Watson Hall is a 36,000 square-foot facility designed with the intent of flexibility and study habits. Interior spaces provide natural lighting, wall-length white boards, engaged learning environment, and green technologies. Watson Hall has classrooms, labs, small group rooms, open study area, conference rooms, and offices.
  • Cadwell Student Center is a 10,000-square-foot facility with classrooms, labs, and faculty offices.
  • University Conference Center is a 10,300-square-foot facility used for conferences, classrooms, boardroom and study space. 
  • PNWU consumes 10,000-square-feet of Iron Horse Lodge. There are multiple university offices located in this building along with administration. 

Student Residence Options

Students must secure their own housing. PNWU is surrounded by neighborhoods with a variety of housing options. PNWU will assist students in their search for appropriate, affordable housing
Accreditation & Affiliation

COM Accreditation Status Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM) is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).


Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

University Affiliation(s) Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Student Demographics
  • Entering Class 2022

Academic Year Enrollment

Total Medical School Enrollment

144

Total Male

68

Total Female

76

Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions

144

First-Year Matriculants

140

First-Year Male Matriculants

66

First-Year Female Matriculants

73

First-Year Other Matriculants

1

Matriculants In-State

81

Matriculants Out-of-State

59

Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity

American Indian/Alaska Native

1.4%

Asian

21.4%

Black/African American

2.9%

Hispanic/Latino

8.6%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.0%

White

55.7%

Multiple Races

8.6%

Undisclosed

1.4%

Majors of First-Year Matriculants

Science Majors

84.1%

Non-Science Majors

15.9%

Graduate Degrees

N/A

PNWU-COM logo

Overview

Private Institution

Non-Profit

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Institutional Affiliation

2005

Year Founded

Rural

Campus Setting

Main Contact

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine - PNWU-COM

200 University Parkway, Yakima, Washington 98901

Address

(509) 249-7888

Phone

Admissions Office

Curricular Offerings

The PNWU-COM curriculum is carefully constructed to thoroughly prepare graduates for practice in any setting or specialty. In addition, the PNWU-COM educational program is tailored to meet the unique needs of patients in rural, medically underserved areas.

Years I and II are on the Yakima campus. Years III and IV are spent in regional sites throughout the Pacific Northwest five-state region, supported by a regional assistant dean, and Yakima campus staff. The small class size encourages student involvement in many aspects of the university: student/faculty interaction, community clinical experience, activities, development, and community service.

Years I and II have a curriculum structure that combines lecture- and case-based learning with early clinical experiences. After an initial orientation to scientific foundations, this curriculum includes an integrated organ-systems approach to the preclinical sciences. Years III and IV consist of clinical rotations in hospital, clinic, and private practice settings and include required didactic sessions. The curriculum includes:

  • Use of standardized patients
  • Integrated Osteopathic Principles and Practice
  • Human patient simulators
  • Student to cadaver ratio of 4:1
  • Interprofessional educational experiences
Preparatory Programs

Preparatory/Postbaccalaurete Programs Offered

Master of Arts in Medical Sciences 
A one-year program that will introduce students to a broad range of health care topics while strengthening academic credentials for admission to health care professional programs or preparation for career advancement.

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

12 semester hours

Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Chemistry (Organic)
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Genetics
Recommended
Microbiology
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

The major criteria for rating applicants are academic excellence, commitment to osteopathic primary care, commitment to practice medicine in an underserved area, and personal characteristics. Academic excellence is measured by assessing results of the MCAT and academic performance. The degree of difficulty of the program that the applicant studied is also considered. No interview is involved in this assessment.

After the initial assessment, selected applicants are invited to visit the campus for a formal personal interview. After the interview, the Admissions Committee reviews the applicant files and make recommendations to the dean. Applicants are notified as soon as final admission decisions are made.

An acceptance fee is required from successful applicants. Acceptance is conditional until all required documentation is received and completed to PNWU’s satisfaction. Transcripts must be on file prior to matriculation.

PNWU is a private institution and encourages applications from qualified students who are interested in pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine. Qualified applicants from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and rural and/or medically-underserved areas of the country will be given preference for admission to PNWU.

Admissions Processes

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

For courses affected by COVID - 19 disruption of classes.

Accepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? Yes

For courses affected by COVID-19 disruption of classes.

Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No

Accepts online lab coursework? Yes

For courses affected by COVID - 19 disruption of classes
Application Information

Earliest Application Submission Date: May 4, 2023

Primary Application Deadline: February 29, 2024

Submission Timing for Best Consideration

For best consideration, applicants should submit their application at least four weeks prior to this school’s latest filing date.

First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors

PNWU-COM requires applicants to have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Any undergraduate major is acceptable as long as prerequisites are passed and taken for credit at a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent resident visa.

PNWU-COM considers all applicants for admission without respect to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, sex, marital status, religion, disabilities, gender identity, or national origin. Applicants are considered on their intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, leadership, maturity, record of community service, commitment and suitability to succeed in the study of osteopathic medicine.

Applicants from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and rural or medically underserved areas of the United States will be given preference in order to meet the mission of PNWU-COM. A criminal background check, and completion of immunization records will be required for matriculation to the university.

International Students Accepted? Does Not Accept International Students

Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? No

Application Interview Format: Multi-Mini Interviews (MMI)

Interviews begin in late-September and continue to early-April. MMI interviews are a combination of open and closed file. The interview day includes time with current students and a group activity. 

Early Decision Program (EDP)

EDP Offered? No

EDP Applications Submitted To AACOMAS

Supplemental Application

Supplemental Application Required? Yes

  • A verified AACOMAS application, including official MCAT score
  • A complete PNWU-COM supplemental application and nonrefundable application fee
  • A letter of recommendation from each of the following, written within two years prior to making application:
    • A physician (preferably a DO)
    • A science faculty member who is familiar with the applicant’s academic work
    • A pre-medical source (a pre-medical advisor or committee), military supervisor/commanding officer in health profession, research supervisor, a second science faculty member, a second physician, or other health professional supervisor
  • All candidates must meet health and minimum technical standards as outlined in the PNWU Student Catalog.

Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: July 1, 2023

Supplemental Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants

A combination of academic performance, MCAT, and personal characteristics

Supplemental Application Fee: $85

Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No

Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes

Fee waiver requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The applicant must have received or be eligible to receive an AACOMAS fee waiver. Fee waiver funds may be limited.
Acceptances/Deposit Schedule

Earliest Acceptance Date

October 1, 2023

Latest Acceptance Date

August 15, 2024

Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students

August 5, 2024

Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes

PNWU-COM does not usually defer admission, requests submitted to the Admission Committee will be reviewed and a recommendation made to the dean for final decision.

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

Applicants will be requested to submit necessary matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines 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

504.4

Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score

3.55

Oldest MCAT Considered: June 1, 2020

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

  • AACOMAS

Main Admissions Contact

Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid

2023-2024 Academic Year

Tuition

In-State Tuition

$63,716

Out-of-State Tuition

$63,716

Fees

Annual Fees

In-State Resident Fees

$0

Out-of-State Resident Fees

$0

Health Insurance Fee

$0

Tuition Fees Include

Lab
Microscope Rental
Student Activities
Student Services
Technology (not computer)
Other

Required Educational Resources (books, clinical skills kit, white coat,
clinical diagnostic kit)

Estimates, Deposits, and More

Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs

$23,799

Average Graduate Indebtedness

$305,303

Acceptance Deposit

$1,000

Additional Deposit

$0

Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes

Deposit Refundable? No

Financial Aid

Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 85%

Scholarships Offered? Yes

Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $7,561