Osteopathic physicians (also known as doctors of osteopathic (DOs) medicine) bring a patient-centered, holistic, hands-on approach to diagnosing and treating illness and injury. Osteopathic physicians work in partnership with patients to help them achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health education, injury prevention, and disease prevention. DO programs are similar to MD programs in which they require four years of medical education followed by residency training of three to eight years.
Osteopathic medical schools do not require or prefer a particular undergraduate degree.
It is important for students to check each school's requirements carefully as some schools will require information not listed above. For more information about a specific program, please contact that program directly or visit the
AACOM.