Clinical Rotations

College of Osteopathic Medicine

Required Core Rotations

Students must successfully complete required clinical rotations in the following disciplines: family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, psychiatry, obstetrics/gynecology, emergency medicine, and critical care at AZCOM in-system rotation facilities. There are also required rotations in emergency medicine, critical care, subspecialty medicine, subspecialty surgery, rural/underserved medicine, and primary care medicine. Primary Care rotations may be done at either in-system or approved out-of-system sites. All other required rotations must be done in-system.

Required Elective Rotations

Students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 weeks of elective rotations during their fourth year in recognized disciplines of medicine. Students may also schedule a four week elective in international medicine and/or research.

Fourth year students may have a maximum of 16 weeks of elective rotations in any one discipline.   

Elective clinical rotations may be done at osteopathic, allopathic, or military institutions. To be eligible for academic credit, elective rotation schedules must be planned with the assistance of, and approval by, the appropriate clinical department chairs.

Breaks/Vacation

There is a one week holiday break at the end of the calendar year during the third and fourth years. In addition, there is a one week break for senior week/graduation preparation culminating in graduation for fourth year students.

Students may arrange academic breaks to attend out-of-area interviews, study for and/or take COMLEX-USA Level II-CE, or Level II-PE.