Osteopathic Medical College Graduate Numbers Continue to Climb, as Two Colleges Hold Inaugural Commencement Ceremonies

The nation’s colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) are graduating roughly 4,500 students this spring, 9 percent more than last year’s 4,159 graduating osteopathic medical students, and 56 percent more than the 2,536 students who graduated from osteopathic medical schools a decade ago. The number of graduates is projected to continue to increase, with an estimated 5,300 students graduating each year by 2015. This marked expansion of new osteopathic physicians (DOs) could help mitigate future physician shortages.

 This year, two osteopathic medical colleges graduated their first classes:

• Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (Yakima, WA) graduated its first class, comprised of 69 students, on May 12.

• Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (Parker, CO) inaugural commencement ceremony on May 19 graduated a class of 127.

While growing class sizes have contributed to the recurrently rising number of osteopathic medical school graduates over the past decade, new colleges and campuses opening across the nation have played a vital role as well. Three new COMs – Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (Dothan, AL), Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (Buies Creek, NC), and Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Indianapolis, IN) – will open their doors to students in 2013, further expanding opportunities for aspiring physicians.

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS), the centralized application service for the nation’s osteopathic medical schools, has begun accepting applications for the 2013 academic year. To view the 2013 application, visit https://aacomas.aacom.org/.

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine promotes excellence in osteopathic medical education, in research and in service, and fosters innovation and quality among osteopathic medical colleges to improve the health of the American public.

Quote from Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH
President and CEO, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

“Growth in the number of osteopathic medical students and graduates is evidence that the primary care-based, patient-centered, prevention-focused philosophy of osteopathic medicine rings true with aspiring physicians and aligns with the type of care all should have. Osteopathic medicine has emerged as a leading force in the changes needed in the nation’s health care system.”

More Information

View a list of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and visit their websites to learn more about their commencements.

View other data and statistics on osteopathic medical school graduates.

View the 2013 AACOMAS Application.