Preparing for a Career in Osteopathy
A Doctor of Osteopathy, or D.O., is a fully trained physician who
prescribes drugs, performs surgery, and utilizes necessary
scientific practices to maintain and restore health. D.O.'s are not
chiropractics or M.D.'s. However, only D.O.'s and M.D.'s are
licensed as physicians, able to practice all branches of medicine
and surgery. The route of basic medical training for a D.O. or an
M.D. is essentially the same. The difference is that the D.O.
receives additional training in the interrelationship of the
musculoskeletal system with nervous and circulatory systems, as well
as with other parts of the body. D.O.'s use structural diagnosis and
manipulative therapy along with traditional forms of diagnosis for
treatment.
There are fifteen colleges of osteopathic medicine in the U.S. All
prospective students should take the MCAT exams. Minimum GPA for
consideration for Osteopathic school is about 3.0.
Osteopathic doctors may be employed in hospitals, osteopathic
hospitals, government service, private clinics, and any other area,
public or private, where an M.D. might be employed.
As a general guideline, undergraduate pre-osteopathic students
should satisfy the following minimum course requirements:
English (6-12 hours)
FCS, SCS, & 1 additional course
Physics (1 year)
Physics 201,202
Biology (1 year)
Bio 111, 207
Chemistry (2 years)
Chem 150, 151, 303, 304
For more information about Osteopathy consult the file in Room 300A,
or write:
American Osteopathic Association
142 E. Ontario Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(800) 621-1773 |
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