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The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program at Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine is a four-year medical degree designed to prepare students to become licensed physicians. Rooted in a holistic, patient-centered philosophy, the program combines rigorous scientific training with a focus on treating the whole person—mind, body, and environment.
Students gain hands-on experience through early clinical exposure, comprehensive coursework, and customized rotation opportunities in diverse healthcare settings. With an emphasis on compassionate care, preventive medicine, and serving underserved communities, graduates are prepared to enter residency training and pursue careers across a wide range of medical specialties.
Program Highlights
Designed to prepare future physicians for success, NSU’s D.O. program combines rigorous academics, hands-on clinical training, and a clear pathway to residency and medical licensure.
- Degree: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
- Timeline: Complete in 4 years.
- Career Outcome: Eligible for residency and medical licensure.
- Residency Placement Rate: 98.3 percent of graduates secured residency positions (class of 2026).
- Training Focus: Clinical rotations and underserved communities.
As we explore the next chapter of medical education here at NSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine, we are committed to pursuing a pathway that provides our students with the most comprehensive, equitable and inclusive, cutting-edge, and compassionate learning experience possible.
Elaine M. Wallace, D.O., Dean | Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
What's the Difference Between a D.O. and an M.D.?
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) are both professional medical degrees that position you to pursue a career as a physician. While training in both degrees focuses on providing the most comprehensive, cutting edge practice of medicine, what sets the D.O. degree and training apart is its core focus on the holistic side of practicing medicine, with a strong historical commitment to supporting medically underserved populations.
Quick Facts
January 15: AACOMAS App Due
March 1: NSU Supplemental App Due
Specialize Your Studies: Explore Academic Departments
Family Medicine
Department of Family MedicineFamily Medicine
Department of Family Medicine
Geriatrics
Department of Geriatric MedicineGeriatrics
Department of Geriatric Medicine
Internal Medicine
Department of Internal MedicineInternal Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Nutrition
Department of NutritionNutrition
Department of Nutrition
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyObstetrics and Gynecology
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Osteopathic Principles and Practice
Osteopathic Principles and PracticeOsteopathic Principles and Practice
Osteopathic Principles and Practice
Pediatrics
Department of PediatricsPediatrics
Department of Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Department of PsychiatryPsychiatry
Department of Psychiatry
Rural and Urban Underserved
Rural and Urban Underserved MedicineRural and Urban Underserved
Rural and Urban Underserved Medicine
Surgery
Department of SurgerySurgery
Department of SurgeryChoose Your Path to Becoming a Physician (D.O.)
NSU offers multiple pathways to help you become a physician, whether you are ready to begin medical school or want to strengthen your academic foundation first. Each option is designed to support your success in medical school, residency, and beyond.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) is a four-year professional medical degree that prepares you to become a licensed physician.
- Preclinical training in foundational sciences, clinical skills, and clinical reasoning
- Clinical rotations across all major specialties, including rural and urban underserved settings
- Elective opportunities in subspecialty training
- Prepares you to match into medical, surgical, and obstetric specialties
M.S. in Foundational and Integrated Medical Sciences (M.S. F.I.M.S.)
A full-time graduate program designed to strengthen your academic preparation for medical school.
- 18-credit program completed over two semesters
- Direct entry into the D.O. program upon completion with a 3.6 GPA
- Advanced preparation in biomedical sciences aligned with medical school coursework
D.O. and Master's Degree (Concurrent Programs)
Earn your D.O. while completing a master’s degree, expanding your expertise and career opportunities.
- Complete two degrees in four years at a reduced cost
- Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
- M.S. in Health Informatics
- M.S. in Disaster and Emergency Management
- M.S. in Medical Education
- M.S. in Nutrition
D.O. and Bachelor's Degree (Dual Admissions Programs)
Designed for high school students, this pathway allows you to secure your place in the D.O. program while completing your undergraduate degree.
- Early assurance pathway into medical school
- Complete both degrees in approximately seven to eight years
Accreditation
Nova Southeastern University's College of Osteopathic Medicine has been granted accreditation by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). This body is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accrediting agency for colleges educating osteopathic physicians and surgeons. The NSU D.O. program ranks as the 10th-largest in terms of total enrollment among the 35 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States.
Get the Edge You Need to Become a Healthcare Leader
You won't just become a doctor, you'll become a patient-focused leader. That's the NSU Edge. And you'll experience it every step of the way, from labs with advanced patient simulation technology to interprofessional service-learning opportunities to accelerated tracks to graduation. You'll also have access to extensive professional resources and a tight-knit peer group; so no matter where life takes you after graduation, you'll always have the NSU edge.
Discover Opportunities for Student Leadership
Find your fit outside the classroom through any of the 50+ student clubs and organizations, leadership opportunities, and exposure to established health professionals, as well as volunteer opportunities. You'll grow beyond the classroom and graduate a well-rounded leader of medicine.
Making the Match: Residency Outcomes
Graduates of the D.O. program continue to excel during the competitive NRMP and other Match Processes. In the past four years, graduating classes have obtained placement into graduate medical education programs at 98% and higher, with the Class of 2022 reaching the college's goal of 100%.
Innovative, Mission-Driven Curriculum
The unique curriculum of the D.O. program provides academic and clinical training, which prepares you for the "real world" of medicine. It will make you more competitive for postdoctoral training positions and more attractive to those interviewing candidates for those positions.
View Program Curriculum
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program is an AOA-accredited program of study. Graduation from an AOA-COCA accredited college of osteopathic medicine is required in order to begin training in an ACGME-accredited residency program to which he or she has been accepted, and to take the COMLEX-USA Level 3 examination. At this time, we have determined that the KPCOM program meets the educational degree completion requirements for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US protectorates.
Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement (PDF)
Checking Your Application Status
You can check your application anytime on the NSU Self-Service Banner (WebSTAR).
After Applying, What Happens Next?
If selected, you’ll receive an invitation from the Office of Admissions to schedule an interview. This personal interview is the next step and does not guarantee admission. Acceptance is on a “rolling” or periodic schedule, and you will receive decision notices via email and mail.