Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine - SHSU-COM
Conroe, Texas
Main Campus
General Information
The SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine is the eighth college of the university and only the third college of osteopathic medicine in the state. The state-of-the-art facility is housed in a four-story, 107,000-square-foot building located in the Grand Central Park Development of Conroe, Texas.
SHSU’s history of contributing to the well-being of the state, started over 140 years ago when the university was established to respond to the need for trained teachers. At the time, state leaders recognized that education was key to improving the quality of life and the subsequent prosperity of Texas. Today, the university is responding to another critical workforce demand, where producing highly-trained physicians is the key to elevating the quality of life for millions of Texans.
SHSU-COM is proud to have graduated our first class in May 2024 with incredible board exam pass rates and an outstanding residency Match placement. We have achieved Full Accreditation with Exceptional Outcomes, the only new osteopathic medical school to ever achieve this distinction. We have a rigorous and innovative curriculum, robust clinical rotations, opportunities for professional growth and all the support services needed to help osteopathic student doctors thrive. We’re also the most affordable osteopathic medical school in the nation!
DO Bearkats will get involved in the community and spend time learning about patients as people. They also have solid communication skills and enjoy getting to know a diverse range of people from many different backgrounds and socioeconomic groups.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Sam Houston State University (SHSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) is to prepare students for the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine with an emphasis toward primary care and rural practice, to develop culturally aware, diverse and compassionate physicians, who follow osteopathic principles, that are prepared for graduate medical education, and will serve the people of Texas with professionalism and patient-centered care.
A significant part of the mission of the COM is to increase the physician workforce in the eastern region of Texas and to increase access to primary care. The COM will accomplish this by recruiting qualified applicants from areas to which they would likely want to return and establish their practice.
Closest City The school is located in Conroe, TX, a suburban area. The closest major city is Houston, TX.
Campus Setting
SuburbanFacilities
The state-of-the-art facility is housed in a four-story, 107,000- square-foot building located in the Grand Central Park Development of Conroe, Texas. This is the first phase of development for the Center for Health Professions which will eventually include a second building.
The COM Building includes a Simulation Center, Standardized Patient Suite, a large Teaching Theater, an active learning classroom, small group rooms, an anatomy lab, research labs, an Osteopathic Clinical Skills Training Room, and dedicated student space where learning communities are housed.
Student Residence Options
Current registered student organizations can be found at the following link: https://shsu.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations?categories=16318
Support services for students include physical & mental wellness support, academic & learning support, student legal service, financial aid resources, and more. More information can be found on our website under "Support Your Journey".
COM Accreditation Status SHSU-COM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Accreditation COCA guidelines are published on the AOA website. Following the comprehensive initial accreditation site visit and COCA review, SHSU-COM was granted full accreditation with exceptional outcomes in May 2024. The next scheduled site visit and comprehensive accreditation review is scheduled for 2034.
University Affiliation(s) Sam Houston State University
-
2024-2025
Academic Year Enrollment
Total Medical School Enrollment
574
Total Male
244
Total Female
330
Total Other
0
Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions
TBA
First-Year Matriculants
162
First-Year Male Matriculants
68
First-Year Female Matriculants
94
First-Year Other Matriculants
0
Matriculants In-State
TBA
Matriculants Out-of-State
TBA
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native
TBA%
Asian
TBA%
Black/African American
TBA%
Hispanic/Latino
TBA%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
TBA%
White
TBA%
Multiple Races
TBA%
Undisclosed
TBA%
Majors of First-Year Matriculants
Science Majors
TBA%
Non-Science Majors
TBA%
Graduate Degrees
TBA%
Overview
Public Institution
Non-Profit
Sam Houston State University
Institutional Affiliation
2019
Year Founded
Suburban
Campus Setting
Campus Contact
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine - SHSU-COM
Address
(936) 202-5202
Phone
Website
Admissions Office
Curricular Offerings
SHSU-COM offers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree. The curriculum is a horizontally and vertically integrated, systems-based curriculum with an emphasis in epidemiology and rural medicine. Clinical rotations will take place in one of seven major affiliated regions for SHSU-COM which include over 75 hospitals and/or healthcare facilities.
Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs Offered
DO/MPH
Accepted DO students may apply for consideration into a dual
enrollment in SHSU's Master of Public Health program.
Coursework for the MPH program is completed online in an
asynchronous format. Curriculum is primarily taken during the
summers prior and after OMS1 and completed during a fifth year
after the conclusion of OMS4.
Premedical Coursework
Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Biochemistry
RecommendedBiology/Zoology
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Organic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Physics
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Additional Science Courses
College English
Required6 semester hours
Math/Statistics
Required6 semester hours (3 hours must be Statistics)
Admissions
Complete the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) online application (primary application) by the posted deadline (https://tmdsas.com/apply-now/deadlines.html)
You will receive an email invitation from SHSU-COM to complete the supplemental application after your completed primary application has been received from TMDSAS. Complete the Sam Houston State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) online Supplemental Application and fee paid by the entry year deadline. The SHSU-COM accepts only credit cards for payment of the non-refundable application fee of $75.
Submit your CASPer and Duet assessments (acuityinsights.app). The supplemental application, application fee, and Altus Assessments are all required before your application will be read and considered for interview.
Interview Options: Option to interview virtually or in-person
Physician letter required? N/A; no physician letter required
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? Yes
Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No
Accepts online lab coursework? Yes
Primary Application Service: Other
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)Earliest Application Submission Date: May 15, 2025
Primary Application Deadline: October 1, 2025
Submission Timing for Best Consideration
First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors
International Students Accepted? Does Not Accept International Students
Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? Yes
Please direct all questions regarding your application or the admissions process to enrollcom@shsu.edu.Application Interview Format: See Below
The SHSU-COM Interview Day involves two 15-minute interviews in a one-on-one setting, a written essay, a student doctor-led group interview, and a group activity. One interview will be traditional style and one interview will be scenario-based.Early Decision Program (EDP)
EDP Offered? No
EDP Applications Submitted To Other
N/ASupplemental Application
Supplemental Application Required? Yes
Complete the Sam Houston State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) online Supplemental Application and fee paid by 5:00 PMCST, Dec. 1, 2025. You will receive an email invitation from SHSU-COM to complete the supplemental application after your completed primary application has been received from TMDSAS.
The SHSU-COM accepts only credit cards for payment of the non-refundable application fee of $75. Submit your CASPer and Duet assessments (acuityinsights.app). The supplemental application, application fee, and Altus Assessments are required for consideration.
Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: May 16, 2025
Supplemental Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
Supplemental Application Sent To: All Applicants
Supplemental Application Fee: $75
Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? No
Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students
July 22, 2026
There is no deposit required for matriculation. After accepting their offer of admission, accepted students must submit all required documentation prior to the first day of Orientation. Pre-matriculation deadlines will be outlined for each entry year in the AMP admissions platform.
Oldest MCAT Considered: January 1, 2020
Latest MCAT Score Accepted: October 14, 2025
Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation
- Interfolio
- TMDSAS
Main Admissions Contact
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
2025-2026 Academic Year
In-State Tuition
$26,550
Out-of-State Tuition
$41,600
Annual Fees
In-State Resident Fees
$33,840
Out-of-State Resident Fees
$34,480
Health Insurance Fee
$2,193 (subject to change)
Tuition Fees Include
Estimates, Deposits, and More
Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs
$TBA
Average Graduate Indebtedness
$150,793
Acceptance Deposit
$0
Additional Deposit
$0
Deposit Applied to Tuition? No
Deposit Refundable? No
Financial Aid Website https://www.shsu.edu/dept/financial-aid/cost#average
Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid TBA%
Scholarships Offered? Yes
Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $TBA