DO/MS Program

Block 1

Block 1 consists of the preclinical years for the DO degree. During Block 1, the student will complete the first three years of the DO curriculum, must maintain a “B” average within the medical curriculum, and must pass levels 1 and 2 of the College of Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). During this block, the student will register only for courses within the TCOM curriculum. An exception to these rules may be made only with the approval of the Dual Degree Program Advisory Committee, the appropriate TCOM Associate Dean, and the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS) Dean. Entry into the DO/MS program may occur during year 1, 2, or 3 of the medical curriculum.

During Block 1, the student will select a graduate advisory committee and file an approved graduate degree plan of at least 30 SCH (which includes 6 SCH advanced standing awarded for the basic science didactic course work required in the DO curriculum) with the SBS Office of Admissions and Services.

Block 2

Block 2 consists of at least one year dedicated to graduate study. During Block 2, the student is expected to complete all coursework required for the MS degree, file an approved thesis research proposal, and to make significant progress toward the completion of the thesis research. 

The Health Science Center may provide financial support during Block 2 to students in the MS/DO from sources including research grants, departmental assistantships, and other departmental funds. This support can include tuition and may include a stipend. All dual degree program students are eligible to apply for financial aid.

During Block 2, the student will also participate in a half-day elective clinical rotation each week. This experience will serve to maintain their clinical training experience and patient skills while the student is enrolled in their research training. An additional elective month during Block 3 will be available to complete their research requirements.

Block 3

During Block 3, the student will complete the required clinical rotations. During this block, the student may also continue work toward the MS thesis as necessary. As noted above, an additional elective month will be available and can be used to complete the thesis requirement.

At the end of Block 3, the student is expected to have completed the curriculum required for the DO degree and to have completed at least 24 additional SCH of graduate courses under the SBS, as required for the second degree, including the thesis. Following completion of the curricula required for both degrees, the student is awarded the DO degree through TCOM and the MS through SBS.

Faculty Advisors

If you have academic and/or career path questions about dual degree programs please contact:

Rance Berg, PhD

rance.berg@unthsc.edu

College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences

Mike Kennedy, EdD

mike.kennedy@unthsc.edu

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Admissions Decisions and Deferments for Dual Degree Applicants

Applicants will be furnished written notification regarding their admission status by the HSC Admissions and Recruitment Office. Statements by other Health Science Center personnel concerning the applicant’s admissibility are not valid until confirmed in writing by the HSC Admissions and Recruitment Office.

Information submitted in the application materials must be complete and correct. Prospective and current students must notify the proper institution officials regarding any changes in the information provided on their application. Falsification or omission of any information on the application documents will void a student’s admission, cancel their enrollment, and/or result in appropriate disciplinary action.

All materials submitted during the application process become the property of the Health Science Center and cannot be returned.