Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - RVUCOM

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. RVUCOM continually correlates basic scientific information and methodology with fundamental clinical application.

Students are exposed to clinical settings in their first semester, which gives them the opportunity to prepare for the “real world” of medicine. We believe that by adding early clinical exposure and active learning in a team or small-group setting early in the curriculum, we will strengthen the students’ ability 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 RVUCOM.

• Third and fourth-year students are placed at one of our regional centers 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.
• RVUCOM has a dedicated faculty; established affiliations with medical centers, hospitals and health care systems; a structured and supported rural medicine program; and a mission to educate the finest osteopathic physicians possible.

Educational Tracks
Educational Tracks offered in: Military Medicine, Global Medicine, Rural/Wilderness Medicine, Physician-Scientist, Academic Medicine and Leadership, Long Term Care Medicine (Utah location only) Urban Underserved (Colorado location only) and Digital Health.

Premedical Coursework

Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.

Admissions

Consideration will only be given to candidates possessing a minimum of 3.00 science and cumulative GPA. An MCAT score is required, taken within three years prior to matriculation. RVUCOM no longer requires a minimum MCAT score for consideration, however it should be noted that scores of 506+ will be considered competitive.

Letters of Recommendations (submitted to AACOMAS). Three required letters include:

• A letter from a healthcare provider (DO or MD preferred) who has observed the candidate in a clinical setting.
• An academic reference (order of preference to include Pre-Med Advisor or Committee, Basic Science Faculty, or anyone who can speak to the candidate’s ability to successfully complete a rigorous medical school curriculum).
• A letter of the candidate’s choice.

Only the maximum number of six (6) letters submitted through AACOMAS will be considered. The Office of Admissions is not able to accept letters of recommendation sent directly to RVUCOM or from any other letter service, such as Interfolio or VirtualEvals. (Please refer to  https://www.rvu.edu/admissions/do/ for confirmation, if necessary.)

RVUCOM seeks well-rounded, service-oriented individuals who can complete an academically rigorous curriculum and will help the college fulfill its mission. RVUCOM assures equal opportunity to all students and applicants, regardless of gender, age, race, color, non-disqualifying disability, religion or creed, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school, and does not discriminate in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other school-administered programs.

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.