The Years to Become a Doctor of Osteopathy
The two types of complete medical physicians in the United States are an allopathic physician (MD) and an osteopathic physician (DO). Both are fully licensed physicians that can perform surgeries and prescribe medications. But osteopathic physicians approach medicine with a different philosophy. The regard the body as one unified whole. As such, they avoid concentrating on the cure of one specific illness. Instead they prefer to treat the body as one unified structure. According to the American Osteopathic Association, DO's regard the body as one unified structure, and its musculoskeletal system as the key element to good health. There are currently 25 graduate programs in the United States that offer degrees in Osteopathic Medicine, compared with 130 MD programs.
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4-Years of Undergraduate Study
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Before applying to a graduate medical program, applicants must complete four years of undergraduate coursework that culminates into a bachelor's degree. Most students considering in applying for ostephathic programs will obtain a Bachelor of Science degree, but students also graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Most osteopathy programs require applicants complete certain courses successfully before they will be accepted to graduate school. For example, Touro University in California requires applicants to complete undergraduate coursework in biology or zoology with lab (eight semester or 12 quarter units), Physics (eight semester or 12 quarter units), inorganic chemistry with lab (eight semester or 12 quarter units), organic chemistry with lab (eight semester or 12 quarter units) and biochemistry, which may be substituted for the second semester of organic chemistry, all of which must be completed with a 3.0 GPA or higher. In addition, Touro requires students to complete one course in math or computer science, two courses in behavioral sciences and one college English course.
Year 1: Preclerkship Graduate Study
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Osteophathic graduate programs usually last about four years. The first two years are compised of preclerkship education. The first year of coursework study concentrates on basic scientific concepts. Students at Michigan State University, take classes, such as gross human anatomy, cell and tissue biology, history of medicine and radiology.
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Year 2: Preclerkship Graduate Study
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The second year of preclerkship study builds on the first year's fundamental science education and focuses on an integrated organ system approach. The second year focuses more on the osteopathic philosophy of the human body as one whole, and treating the whole body rather than focusing on specific illnesses. At Des Moines University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, students will complete classes, such as psychiatry, osteopathic manipulaive medicine, evidence-based medicine, and preventative medicine/nutrition.
2-Years of Clincal Clerkship Graduate Study
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The last two years of osteopathic graduate study is composed of clinical clerkship studies. During these two years, students will apply their knowledge by completing rotations in a clinic or hospital setting under the supervision of a trained medical staff. At Michigan State University, osteopathic students engage in classes, such as ambulatory care, surgery, psychiatry and emergency mMedicine. Students will become trained and gain experience in surgery and actually treating patients.
3-6 Years of Additional Specialty Training
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Although a student will complete the requirements and receive their Diploma of Osteophathy, DOs must complete an additional period of specialized training in their particular area of expertise. According to the American Osteopathic Association, about 60 percent of DOs specialize in primary care disciplines, such as family medicine and pediatrics. But DOs can specialize in any medical discipline, such as surgery plastic surgery or brain surgery, dermatology, anesthesiology or nuclear medicine. Depending upon your specialty, you may spend anywhere from three to six additional years before you are able to complete the hours and training necessary to become a licensed physician.
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