Admission Requirements — D.O.

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To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or regionally accredited university within the United States before the start of orientation.

A minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.8 on a 4.0 scale or higher is recommended. A minimum science grade point average of a 2.8 on a scale of 4.0 or higher is recommended. No grade lower than a C will be accepted for prerequisite coursework. CLEP credits, AP credits and P/F credits will not be considered for prerequisites.

See our current class profile for more information.

Required Courses

The courses below are required for admission; you may apply while coursework is in progress. Coursework completion is required prior to matriculation, and pending coursework during the application cycle is acceptable.

Biology/Zoology — 8 Semester Hours

  • Labs required, when available

General Chemistry — 8 Semester Hours

  • Labs required, when available

Organic Chemistry — 4 Semester Hours

  • Labs required, when available

Biochemistry — 3 Semester Hours

Physics — 8 Semester Hours

  • Labs required, when available
  • May substitute up to 3 semester hours of statistics for 3 semester hours of physics

English, English Composition, Speech or Literature — 6 Semester Hours

Other highly recommended courses may include cell biology, microbiology, immunology, genetics, physiology and anatomy

Exposure to Medicine

Although not required, clinical exposure is recommended in order for candidates to confirm their interest and commitment to the osteopathic medical profession. This experience can be paid or volunteer. To establish a mentoring or shadowing relationship with an osteopathic physician, visit the American Osteopathic Association website.

MCAT

All applicants are required to submit results of the Medical College Admission Test through AACOMAS prior to being considered for an interview. Scores from exams before 2022 are not acceptable for the admission cycle for the class entering in Fall 2025. We review the scores individually and do not average the sub-scores from multiple examinations.

Technical Standards

See the technical standards section of DMU’s academic catalog for more information. Further information about accommodations can be found in the Accommodations in Education Policy.

Background Checks

All accepted students are required to complete a criminal background check and drug screen through Des Moines University’s preferred vendor. Results must be released to DMU prior to matriculation, and the cost of this process will be paid by the accepted student. Accepted students are required to disclose all past or present charges, convictions, dismissals, deferred judgments and expunged records as related to a misdemeanor or felony. They are also obligated to disclose any additional charges and convictions which occur following completion of the initial criminal background check.  Admission to the program may be revoked if misrepresentations or omissions from the application are noted in the background check.  DMU students are required to complete annual criminal background checks and drug screening while enrolled at DMU.

Previous Matriculants

Graduates from M.D., D.O. or equivalent programs (U.S. or foreign) are not eligible for consideration for admission to the D.O. program at Des Moines University.  Previous matriculates to medical school who withdrew in good standing from their institution for personal (not behavioral or academic) reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Permanent Residents

Applicants who are legal permanent residents of the U.S. will be required to provide a copy of their permanent resident card prior to admission.

Note: Permanent residency status "pending," is not eligible for admission.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are not eligible for admission to the D.O. program. Review information for international students for more details.

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