Academic Programs Catalog

Joyce deJong , DEAN

The College of Osteopathic Medicine, established by charter in 1964 as the private Michigan College of Osteopathic Medicine, became a component college of Michigan State University by action of the state legislature in 1969. The college provides a professional osteopathic physician educational program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. In addition, the college has a dual degree program that allows students who wish to become medical scientists to pursue a D.O. and a Ph.D. simultaneously. A separate program enables students to complete dual degrees, the D.O. and the Master of Business Administration via the MSU Broad College of Business. The college offers its preclinical education (first two years) at three sites: the East Lansing campus,  the Detroit Medical Center, and the Macomb University Center in Clinton Township.

The basic science departments of the college are  Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology. Students in these departments may earn M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. A Master of Science degree and graduate certificate are also available in Global Health. The clinical departments are Family and Community  Medicine, Neurology and Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Osteopathic Surgical Specialties, PA Medicine, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Psychiatry, and Radiology.

The college is integrated with  health care systems, community hospitals, federally qualified health centers and clinical practices across the State of Michigan. The college's Statewide Campus System has been a nationally recognized leader in pre- and postdoctoral medical education. 

 

Preparing physicians in the science of medicine, the art of caring and the power of touch with a world view open to all people.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Global Health provides the introduction to global health. It explores the history, values, and functions of global health and how travel, trade, and other aspects of globalization contribute to health, disease, and health disparities. Students will examine the connections between human health and environmental health, including considerations of water, sanitation, air quality, urbanization, and ecosystem health. Students learn how to apply an interdisciplinary or interprofessional lens to the evaluation of policies and interventions that seek to solve major population health concerns and achieve health equity.

Students interested in completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Global Health should consult an academic advisor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The undergraduate certificate is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the undergraduate certificate may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Requirements for the Undergraduate Certificate in Global Health

The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University (MSUCOM) offers a professional graduate program leading to the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). The program is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

The D.O. program is organized to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors consistent with the competent practice of osteopathic medicine.  The four-year program is divided into preclerkship and clerkship phases.  In the preclerkship phase, the foundational biomedical sciences and clinical disciplines are presented through an integrated curriculum.  Students are introduced to clinical skills, including professional development, data gathering, physical examination, diagnostic reasoning, and osteopathic principles and their application to patient care.  Early clinical experiences and patient encounters are interwoven to promote connections.  The clerkship phase provides immersive training across core clinical disciplines in the network of affiliated hospitals and other clinical sites, as well as options for elective rotations throughout Michigan and elsewhere.  Throughout the program, there is longitudinal integration of the osteopathic core competencies, including development of professionalism and communication skills for interprofessional patient care; strategies for self-directed, lifelong learning; and application of principles of research and scholarly inquiry.

Admission

The science and practice of osteopathic medicine require an understanding of the relationships among the physical, biological, psychological, cultural, and environmental aspects of human behavior. Thus osteopathic education requires preparation in the natural, social, and behavioral sciences. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to work and think independently and in a scholarly manner. The mean undergraduate grade-point average of students who are admitted to the program is 3.6 to 3.8.

Applicants for admission to the first–year class in the college must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Completion of at least 90 semester credits in a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting commission of higher education.
2. Completion of 8 semester credits of biology with no grade below 2.0, including both course work and laboratory work in general biology or general zoology. AP biology course work does not count toward the eight semester credit requirement.
3. Completion of 16 semester credits of chemistry, including three semester credits of biochemistry, with no grade below 2.0.
4. Completion of 6 semester credits of English—including both oral and written English, with no grade below 2.0.
5. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) must be taken by the end of September of the year application is being made. Scores cannot be more than 3 years old.
6. Suggested science course electives include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, histology, and statistics at the 300- and 400-level.
7. Suggested medical humanities and ethics electives include course work in philosophy, history of medicine and medical ethics. 

1. Completion of each required course in the preclerkship and clerkship phase with a passing grade or successful remediation.
2. Passing score on the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) COMLEX-USA Level 1, COMLEX-USA Level 2 Cognitive Evaluation (CE) licensure examinations within defined time limits and with no more than three (3) attempts permitted on each examination.
3. Compliance with annual training requirements of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) program.
4. Achievement of the academic requirements and professional conduct expectations of the D.O. program as outlined in the policies and procedures of MSUCOM and MSU.

The college’s graduate programs serve the need for trained medical educators and scientists. The college educates graduate students broadly in the basic subject matter pertaining to their chosen fields of study, trains them for teaching and research in specialized aspects of their field, and develops their independent and creative thinking abilities. The graduate study program for each student is arranged to suit individual needs within the general graduate regulations of the unit, college and university.

The college provides an opportunity for graduate study which emphasizes a single discipline or bridges multiple disciplines. The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are attainable separately or together with the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree with the exception of the Master of Science Degree in Basic Medical Science. A Master of Science degree and Graduate Certificate in Global Health are also available. The college also provides opportunities for postdoctoral research training. Financial aid is available competitively for all levels of graduate study.

Disciplinary graduate degree programs are offered by the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology. An interdisciplinary program may be arranged by combining the disciplinary graduate degree programs of two departments.  Other units in the college may provide tutelage and facilities for graduate training and arrange for a disciplinary graduate degree in cooperation with one of the departments that offer degree programs.

The four departments, listed above, offering graduate study programs are responsible to the College of Osteopathic Medicine jointly with other colleges. Whether a student's program is administratively associated with the College of Osteopathic Medicine depends on the nature of the proposed program and the career aspirations. A student accepted for admission by a given unit may apply for association with the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine partners with the Eli Broad College of Business to offer a Master of Business Administration joint-degree program jointly administered by both colleges. For information about the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Business Administration dual-degree program, contact the Associate Dean in either college.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine cooperates with the Colleges of Human Medicine, Nursing, and Social Science in offering the Master of Public Health in Public Health degree (M.P.H.), which is administered by the College of Human Medicine. For information about the Master of Public Health degree in Public Health, refer to the statement in the College of Human Medicine section of this catalog.

Students who are enrolled in the professional program that leads to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree may elect specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood in the College of Social Science section of this catalog.

Master of Science

The Master of Science degree is offered by the college and the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology.

Attainment of a master's degree requires excellence in scholarly motivation and achievement. The programs for the degree emphasize a broad education and an introduction to research in a chosen field of study.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission to a master's degree program may be granted to a student who has a record of academic excellence and is acceptable to a unit and the college. Units may require applicants to take and submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination. An undergraduate major or its equivalent in an appropriate subject–matter field is required. Normally, a grade–point average of at least 3.00 in previous academic work is required for admission to regular status. Students with incomplete records, incomplete interpretation of available records, or minor deficiencies may be admitted to provisional status.

Requirements for the Degree

A major advisor is appointed, and a guidance committee may be appointed, with the consent of the student to help the student plan a program of study and research. A copy of the approved program is filed with the unit and the college.

The minimum number of credits required for the master's degree is 30, including 4 credits of master's thesis research for students enrolled under Plan A. A maximum of 10 credits may be authorized for thesis research. Upon the completion of the program and a report or thesis on the research, the student takes a final oral examination conducted by a faculty committee appointed by the unit chairperson. A committee report, including recommendations about further graduate study by the student, is filed with the unit chairperson and the dean.

Time Limit

The time limit for the completion of the master's degree is six calendar years from the beginning of the first semester in which credit was earned toward the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

Attainment of the Doctor of Philosophy degree requires excellence in scholarship and comprehensive knowledge in a chosen field of study. Programs for the degree emphasize training for original research and teaching in a specialized aspect of the chosen field of study, the development of independent and creative thinking, and the completion of a dissertation that represents a new and significant contribution to knowledge. The departments of the college which offer programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree are Biochemistry, Microbiology,  Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology. 

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University, students must meet the requirements specified below.

The College of Natural Science administers an interdepartmental doctoral degree program in cell and molecular biology and an interdepartmental doctoral degree program in genetics.

Admission

Admission to a doctoral program may be granted to a student who has a record of academic excellence and is acceptable to a unit and the college. Units may require applicants to take and submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination. Normally, a grade–point average of at least 3.00 in previous academic work is required for admission to regular status. Students with incomplete records, incomplete interpretation of available records, or minor deficiencies may be admitted to provisional status.

A master's degree in an appropriate subject–matter field may be required for admission to a doctoral program. If a student is admitted without a master's degree, course credits equivalent to those earned for a master's degree are required as part of the doctoral program.

Guidance Committee

The guidance committee files a report with the unit. For the purpose of evaluating the final oral examination and the dissertation, the guidance committee may be supplemented by two additional faculty members appointed by the dean. A committee report, bearing the vote and signature of each member and the comments by any dissenting member, is filed with the unit and the college.

Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi, Chairperson

GRADUATE STUDY

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is administered jointly by the colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Human Medicine, and Natural Science.  These colleges offer Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology. For additional information about the department and its graduate degree programs, refer to the statement on the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Michael Burry, Chairperson

Family medicine is medical care provided by a primary care physician who becomes a partner with all family members to help them understand the ways to achieve comprehensive healthcare. This approach to medical care embraces the concept of, and concern for, the whole patient and the impact of the environment on patient health.  A primary care physician becomes a partner with all family members.  This approach to medical practice embraces the concept of, and concern for, the whole patient and the impact of the patient’s environment upon health.

This practitioner stresses health maintenance, diagnoses illness, undertakes treatment, institutes short- and long-term follow-up care, and makes appropriate referrals to other health care providers.

The goal of family medicine is to develop a competent practitioner who can provide total medical care.  The curriculum is built on the philosophy of early and continued exposure to both the clinical and didactic aspects of medicine through reinforcement and integration of classroom learning to clinical practice.  Student physicians are introduced to a variety of health care settings through clinical training programs designed to provide them with a broad base of skills required to function in the field of family medicine.

The department, a unit within the College of Osteopathic Medicine, is committed to conducting research in both clinical and medical educational settings.  Departmental research is broad-based and support for student research is an integral part of the departmental mission.

 

Victor DiRita, Chairperson

GRADUATE STUDY

The Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology is administered jointly by the colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Human Medicine, Natural Science, and Veterinary Medicine.  All four of these colleges offer a Master of Science degree in microbiology and molecular genetics  and a Doctor of Philosophy degree  in microbiology and molecular genetics. For additional information about the department and its graduate degree programs, refer to the statement on the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Jayne Ward, Chairperson

The Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, established July 1, 2000, is an outgrowth of the former neuro-ophthalmology unit that has existed on campus since 1986.  The department lead is through the College of Osteopathic Medicine.  It offers accredited residency programs in neurology; fellowship programs in neuro-ophthalmology, stroke, neuro-intervention, neurophysiology, epilepsy, and neuro-epidemiology; and clinical and research programs for medical and graduate students.  The Department has Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approval for its neurology residency and subspecialty fellowships. It also provides academic oversight for multiple ophthalmology residency programs statewide.

Its broad research portfolio is supported by multiple National Institutes of Health (NH) grants and other extramural funding.  Major themes of the department’s research are to use the eyes as a model for brain disease.  It also has major research interest in stroke, neuro-intervention,  muscle and peripheral nerve disease, neuro-degenerative disease, epilepsy, sports concussion and demyelinating disease.  The department shares research and clinical faculty with affiliated clinical and research laboratories on the MSU campus, state and worldwide including sub-Saharan Africa. 

The clinical responsibilities of the department are fulfilled by on campus neurologists and neuro-ophthalmologists who have subspecialty training in a number of different disciplines of neurology.  To enrich its research, clinical and educational programs, the department also collaborates with numerous clinicians statewide, nationally and internationally.  MSU’s International Neurology, Psychiatry and Epidemiology Programs (INPEP) are administered through this unit and has outposts in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa.



 

Micah Ephraim Lissy, Chairperson

The Department of Orthopedics is administered jointly by the colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and Human Medicine. The College of Osteopathic Medicine is the primary administrative unit. The Department of Orthopedics aims to provide the best care with all aspects of bone, joint disorders, and orthopedic disease processes.  We seek advanced understanding and treatment options of these conditions through research and other scholarly work, and educate the next generation of physicians, scientists, and providers in the field both locally and globally. The department’s responsibilities include:  preclinical and clinical medical student teaching, preclinical and clinical physician assistant student teaching, Primary Care and Orthopedic Surgery residency training, Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship training, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sports Medicine Fellowship training, and Physician Extender Resident training. 

 

J'Aimee Anne Lippert, Chairperson

The Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine represents a specialty discipline within the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The primary responsibility of the department is to provide instruction to osteopathic medical students in the areas of osteopathic principles, practices and methods as part of their preparation for the practice of osteopathic medicine. This responsibility is fulfilled through the delivery of classroom, laboratory, hospital, and clinic programs that provide quality education and experience. The department also participates in the Statewide Campus System, providing clinical training at both the predoctoral and postgraduate medical education levels. In addition, the department is committed to research, high quality patient care, and continuing medical education programs to improve the quality, recognition, and delivery of osteopathic health care to the public.

Mary Jo Hughes, Chairperson

The Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties is organized to represent general internal medicine and its major subspecialties in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition, emergency medicine is housed as a section in the department. The basic responsibility of this department is to lead the education of students via a systems biology approach in the maintenance of health and in the recognition and treatment of disease, participate in the curriculum across the continuum of years 1-4 by participation and leadership in course offerings, maintenance of clinical practice venues in which to educate medical students, and participation and leadership in the education of adult learners through the continuum of graduate medical education and beyond.  Department members also participate in the administration of the college and university where appropriate.  The department is committed to clinical and basic science research on a local, national and international level; the development of continuing medical educational programs for the profession and the public; and to the broad mission of improved and efficient medical care.   

W. Britt Zimmerman, Chairperson

The Department of Osteopathic Surgical Specialties (OSS) include the divisions of anesthesiology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, podiatry, and urology. The MSU Center for Orthopedic Research (MSUCOR) is a research-focused group of faculty. Medical students are trained in the surgical specialties through systems courses and hospital/office-based training. Students are provided with a broad-based surgical curriculum within our Statewide Campus System (SCS) with postgraduate training in the multiple surgical specialties. In addition, OSS is committed to developing and assisting with research programs, community health services, and state and national quality initiatives. These contribute to improving the quality and efficacy of health services for residents in Michigan and the wider community.

 

John McGinnity, Director

The Department of PA Medicine in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University offers a 27-month curriculum leading to a Master of Science Degree in PA Medicine. PAs are medical professionals who diagnosis illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medication, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. PAs practice in every medical specialty and collaborate in a team-based environment to provide medical care to a diverse patient population.

The curriculum leading to the degree includes four semesters of classroom and laboratory course work, and three semesters of community-based clinical courses. The curriculum is divided into two components: the preclinical curriculum, presented in the first four semesters which focuses on the basic medical sciences and detailed coverage of the human body systems, and the development of clinical skills required to practice medicine; and the clinical curriculum during the final three semesters of the 27-month PA Medicine program which includes clinical training in community hospitals, clinics, and private practice offices affiliated with the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine PA Medicine from across the State of Michigan.

 

Joel S. Greenberg, Chairperson

The Department of Pediatrics, a unit of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, is concerned with the health care of the developing infant, child, and adolescent.  The primary responsibility of the department is to educate osteopathic students, interns, residents and physicians with didactic and clinical experiences in osteopathic medicine as they relate to this age group.  The Department of Pediatrics has a commitment to develop primary care physicians who are responsive to the needs of the community.

The department is involved in many phases of primary pediatric care both locally and throughout the state.  It has specialists in pediatric infectious disease and genetics and pediatricians with special interests in sports medicine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, adolescent medicine, substance abuse, and chronic diseases which have broadened the scope of the department.  Faculty members are involved in scholarly and research activities which provide opportunities for students and residents to participate in these areas.

Anne McLaren Dorrance, Chairperson

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is administered jointly by the colleges of Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine. The College of Veterinary Medicine is the primary administrative unit. All three colleges offer a Master of Science degree program in Laboratory Research in Pharmacology and Toxicology, a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and a Graduate Certificate in Safety Pharmacology. The College of Osteopathic Medicine offers an online Master of Science degree program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, an online Master of Science degree program in Integrative Pharmacology, and an online Graduate Certificate program in Safety Pharmacology. 

The department is responsible for teaching the fundamental and applied aspects of pharmacology and toxicology and offers courses at the undergraduate, professional, and graduate levels.

A Minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology is available to undergraduates through the College of Veterinary Medicine.

James R. Sylvain, Chairperson

Karl Olson, Chairperson

GRADUATE STUDY

The Department of Physiology is administered jointly by the colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Human Medicine, Natural Science, and Veterinary Medicine.  All four of these colleges offer Master of Science degree program in molecular, cellular, and integrative physiology and Doctor of Philosophy degree program in molecular, cellular, and integrative physiology. For additional information about the department and its graduate degree programs, refer to the statement on the Department of Physiology in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Jed Gary Magen, Chairperson

The Department of Psychiatry is administered jointly by the colleges of Human Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine. The College of Human Medicine is the primary administrative unit.  The department plays a major role in integrating the behavioral sciences with the biological sciences and with clinical science elements of the professional programs of these colleges.  The department’s responsibilities include:  preclinical and clinical medical student teaching, psychiatry residency training, professional continuing medical education (CME), collaborating in graduate medical and psychiatric education with affiliated institutions, developing programs on CME for physicians, contributing to CME programs for other mental health care disciplines, patient care, and research. Areas of research emphasis include: neurocognitive dysfunctions secondary to malaria and AIDS, trace minerals in HIV-infected individuals, and developing research programs including some in collaboration with other clinical departments. The department has extensive telepsychiatry services to multiple sites around the state of Michigan.



 

Mark C. Delano, Chairperson

The Department of Radiology is jointly administered by the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and Human Medicine.  The Department provides basic and clinical education in anatomy and diagnostic imaging including radiology, ultrasound, magnetic resonance, CT, women’s imaging and nuclear medicine.  Department faculty have special skills and interests in management, health policy, and medical decision-making.  In the College of Osteopathic Medicine, faculty participate in the Systems sequence, deliver RAD 610 as a required course, and provide radiology and anatomy content for several Statewide Campus System residency courses.  Other electives are offered in both colleges, including clerkships in radiology and nuclear medicine at affiliated hospitals.  The department sponsors a visiting professor program for residents, interns, and medical students.  The department directs an osteopathic residency program through a hospital in Garden City, Michigan.  Research interests include molecular imaging, imaging physics bioengineering, fMRI, sports physiology and regenerative medicine.  More information about the department can be found at www.rad.msu.edu.