The CCOM course of study is typically 4 academic years. The first 2 years cover primarily didactic instruction, followed by 2 years of primarily clinical rotations, including applicable didactic material. Upon graduation with the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, CCOM graduates are eligible for postdoctoral residency training in all fields of medicine. 

Becoming a D.O. - A Letter from the AACOM President and CEO

As scientists and practitioners of the healing arts, osteopathic physicians subscribe to a philosophy that regards the body as an integrated whole with structure and function working interdependently. As an extension of this philosophy, osteopathic physicians treat their patients as unique persons with biological, psychological, and sociological needs, an approach that underscores the osteopathic commitment to patient-oriented versus disease-oriented health care.

CCOM proactively modifies its curriculum to meet the needs of the practice of osteopathic medicine in the 21st century. To that end, the curriculum is being progressively enhanced with increasing alignment and integration of basic science and clinical sciences material. CCOM courses maintain rigorous standards by introducing the course material with interactive presentation methods in the manner that osteopathic physicians approach the patient in the clinical setting.

To learn more about our current school year curriculum, please review the course catalog for the current year. 

Programmatic Level Objectives

To produce excellent osteopathic physicians, CCOM's program emphasizes primary care but includes traditional specialties and subspecialties. Because the DO degree signifies the holder is a physician prepared for entry into the practice of medicine within postgraduate training programs, CCOM graduates must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care, including direct hands-on analysis and treatment.
The following programmatic level objectives describe how CCOM’s four-year curriculum prepares graduates to practice osteopathic medicine that is of high quality and focused on patient safety.

I. Students will demonstrate knowledge of established and current biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and epidemiological concepts which are used in providing high value osteopathic medical care to patients.

II. Students will provide osteopathic medical care to patients that promotes wellness, and when patients become ill, students will treat them with compassion using treatment plans that have been developed using sound clinical judgement that acknowledge patient beliefs and culture.

III. During the pre-clinical and clinical years, students will conduct themselves in a professional manner which includes honesty, courtesy, and accountability. This professional behavior will be exhibited during interactions with patients, faculty, and colleagues of the health care team.

IV. Students will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills when interacting with patients, faculty, and colleagues.

V. Students will develop the skills to become self-directed, life-long learners who incorporate evidence-based principles to provide safe, effective, osteopathic medical care.

VI. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system and its resources in order to provide patient-centered osteopathic medical care. This knowledge will be used to help improve patient safety and access to care.

The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). COCA is recognized as the accrediting agency for colleges of osteopathic medicine by the United States Office of Education and the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA). CCOM is currently accredited through 2023.

For further information, please contact the American Osteopathic Association, 142 E. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611, or 1-800-621-1773. The website can be accessed at aoacoca.org

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.

Primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, pediatrics, anesthesiology, plus other medical specialties and options in hospitals, medical schools, private practices, and government facilities

Median Salaries in the Midwest (varies by specialty) -

Average physician salary by specialty*
Anesthesiology — $457,867
Dermatology — $476,264
Family Medicine — $273,865
General Surgery — $451,151
Internal Medicine — $295,607
Oncology — $447,112
Pediatrics — $251,657

*Doximity Physician Compensation Report, 2021

Students seeking admission to CCOM must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Completion of the admissions course requirements
   • Grades of C or better (grades of C- are not acceptable)
   • To be competitive, students should have minimum cumulative GPAs and science GPAs over 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
   • To receive a supplemental application, students must have minimum science and cumulative GPAs of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
2. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to matriculation
3. Competitive test scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
   • Average MCAT score for students entering CCOM in 2022 was 510
   • Only MCAT exam scores earned from tests taken no more than 3 years prior to the planned enrollment year are acceptable
   • Candidates can register for MCAT tests through the MCAT Program Office at 202/828-0690 or visit https://www.aamc.org/register-mcat-exam for information
4. Two letters of recommendation
   • One letter from either a premedical advisory committee, prehealth advisor or basic science professor who has taught the applicant;
   • It is preferred the second letter be written by a U.S. licensed D.O. or M.D. Letters from osteopathic physicians are strongly recommended. Letters written by family members are not acceptable.

Students seeking admission to CCOM must provide:

1. Demonstrate understanding of and interest in osteopathic medicine
2. Demonstrate service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities
3. Show motivation for, and commitment to, healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
4. Possess verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
5. Pass the Midwestern University fingerprint-based background check
6. Commit to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
7. Meet the Technical Standards of the College

Technical Standards for Admission

The Technical Standards set forth the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty to obtain the academic degree awarded by the college.

Candidates must be able to perform the following abilities and skills:

1. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand, including those on a computer screen or electronic device. Observation necessitates the functional use of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.  The candidate must be able to accurately auscultate lung/breath, heart and bowel sounds to complete the curricular requirement to individually complete physical examination of a patient/client.
2. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate in English, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive verbal and nonverbal communication.
3. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine motor movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.  Candidates must be able to lift 20 lbs.
4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem-solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner.  The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships.  Candidate must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress.  The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties.  Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process. The candidate must agree to participate in touching/palpating on the skin and being touched/palpated on the skin by individuals regardless of gender in all academic settings, including osteopathic manipulative techniques. These activities will take place in large and small group settings as directed in the College’s curricular requirements. 

Candidates are required to verify that they understand and are able to meet these Technical Standards at least 4 weeks prior to matriculation (or if admitted later, within 1 week of deposit).  Candidates who may only meet Technical Standards with accommodation must contact the Office of Student Services to make a formal request for accommodation.  The Dean of Students, in consultation with the College Dean/Program Director, will determine what reasonable accommodations can be provided.  The College is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. 

Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment at the College.  After matriculation, if a student fails to continue to meet the Technical Standards during subsequent enrollment, the student may apply for accommodation by contacting the Office of Student Services.  If the accommodation needed to meet the Technical Standards alters the educational standards of the curriculum, the student’s ability to satisfactorily progress in the curriculum will be evaluated by the appropriate College’s Student Promotion Committee.

Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry are recommended courses that may contribute to success in medical school.