Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine - CUSOM

Curricular Offerings

CUSOM utilizes a carefully planned systems-based curriculum incorporating traditional lectures, case-based lectures, small group clinical cases, simulation, laboratory experiences, and standardized patient encounters to facilitate osteopathic clinical integration.  Vertical and horizontal integration facilitate linkage between course and clinical work across the four years of the curriculum.

Vertical integration refers to the interweaving of clinical skills and knowledge into basic science and system-based courses, reinforcing basic science concepts as they apply during clinical rotations.  Horizontal integration identifies concepts or skills, particularly those that are clinically relevant, which span across the basic sciences, and uses them as an integrated focus for presentations, clinical scenarios, and course materials.

The CUSOM curriculum in Years 1 and 2 is integrated to provide both a strong core of biomedical principles and a robust foundation in clinical sciences, including osteopathic principles, clinical skills, and professionalism.  Content is typically delivered in 9-week Blocks over four semesters, with a one-week break between each Block.

Block One and Block Two cover fundamental basic sciences through a set of courses designed to provide optimal integration while providing clarity on discipline-specific concepts.

Blocks Three through Eight integrate basic and clinical sciences using an organ system approach, covering the clinical presentations, underlying pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of common disease states.

Morning lecture/discussions are complemented by afternoon labs and skills sessions and include embedded study time.  Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and other clinical skills are taught longitudinally throughout the first two years in a progression designed to integrate with and provide seamless entry into the MS-3 and MS-4 years.  Team-teaching by physicians and basic scientists promotes integrated learning.  To optimize student learning and well-being, CUSOM incorporates Study Time into the weekly schedule, enabling students to effectively assimilate course material while also providing them with personal time.  Also, lecture attendance is not mandatory at CUSOM (except for select sessions), although lab session participation is required due to the team approach of these educational efforts.  Through these conceptual approaches, CUSOM promotes student success by allowing utilization of preferred learning styles while offering an overall environment promoting student well-being.

Campbell University places emphasis on interprofessional education (IPE) of health professions students.  CUSOM students participate in IPE events with pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, nursing, and other students throughout the first- and second-year.  Options for additional IPE experiences include case conferences, online activities, topic-based discussion groups, and clinical site-based experiences.

Assessments include 3 integrated exams per Block, quizzes, End-of-Block, and End-of-Year summative evaluations.  Weekly quizzes, along with team-based clinical case conferences, help students remain on top of material presented during the week, and provide faculty with contemporaneous assessment of student progress.

In Years 3 and 4, CUSOM students are assigned to regional sites in North Carolina and South Carolina where they participate in clinical experiences within hospital sites for inpatient experiences, in ambulatory practices, and in acute care facilities.  All students spend time in a rural medical practice setting for an underserved care experience.  CUSOM provides the didactic and online curriculum during clinical rotations.  Time distribution amongst specific clinical rotations reflects the mission to prepare primary care physicians for underserved areas while preparing students to enter residency in any specialty.

In Year 3, students are provided the opportunity to participate in eight (8) weeks of selective rotations and an additional thirty-two (32) weeks of elective/selective rotations in Year 4. These clinical experiences allow students to participate in audition rotations at sites with residency programs or obtain additional experience in specific areas of interest.

CUSOM’s four-year curriculum has been validated by student success on independent outcomes measures.  Frequent and comprehensive assessment ensures continued quality educational content leading to notable success of CUSOM students on licensing exams (both COMLEX and USMLE) and on clinical rotations, as well as CUSOM graduates being recognized as excellent physicians based on ACGME Match results placing them into highly competitive residency training positions upon graduation.

Premedical Coursework

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

CUSOM utilizes a rolling admissions process.  To start the application process, select CUSOM on the AACOMAS application.  Qualified applicants will be invited to submit a Secondary Application.  Secondary Applications are granted by invitation only.  Applicants must meet minimum admissions requirements to be considered for a Secondary Application.  The Secondary Application process consists of the application, a non-refundable processing fee or fee waiver, and two required letters of recommendation.  One letter must be from an osteopathic or allopathic physician.  Although a letter from an osteopathic physician is not required, it is encouraged.  The second letter must be from a Pre-Health Committee, Pre-Health Advisor, or faculty member with a doctoral degree.  Letters of recommendation included as part of a Pre-Health Committee packet are accepted.

Following submission of the Secondary Application, qualified applicants may be invited to participate in CUSOM Applicant Day.  Applicant day, a key component of CUSOM’s holistic applicant process, is a day dedicated entirely to the applicant and utilizes interactive dialogue sessions in place of the traditional, formal “one-on-one” interview.

To be considered to receive an invitation to attend an Applicant Day, an applicant must meet all admissions requirements, including the technical and vaccination standards for admission, and have submitted all required application materials (AACOMAS application, an official MCAT score report, a Secondary Application, required letters of recommendation, and the processing fee or waiver).

Each applicant who participates in an Applicant Day with CUSOM is fully reviewed by the Admissions Committee.  The Committee’s decision to offer acceptance is based on academic performance, professional experience, healthcare experience, volunteer/community service, ability to meet technical standards, and participation in Applicant Day.

Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid

2023-2024 Academic Year