Are you searching for the top DO Schools in Texas? Then you are on the right page. Osteopathy is a form of medicine that treats patients with the use of manual techniques.
The word “osteopathic” comes from the Greek words ostrakhos, meaning bone, and pathos meaning “suffering.”
Osteopathy is based on the principle that all living beings have bones, joints and muscles.
Osteopaths treat their patients by administering a hands-on treatment with the goal of optimizing function and relieving pain. Before we look at the DO Schools in Texas, let’s take a look at what Osteopathic medicine is.
What Is Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic medicine is a form of alternative medicine that uses manipulation, exercise, and other techniques to treat conditions like musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and arthritis.
The difference between osteopathy and allopathy is that an MD (Masters in Dental Surgery) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) may use these same techniques but they are trained specifically as medical doctors.
A DO degree requires four years of undergraduate study plus one additional year to complete your medical curriculum before you can apply for residency training at an accredited school.
An MD degree requires three years or its equivalent from an osteopathic medical school which will then allow you to practice medicine in any state without having passed board exams required by allopathic schools.
What Kind Of Doctor Is a DO
A doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) is a medical professional who has completed their education at an American osteopathic medical school and obtained their medical license. A doctor of medicine (M.D.) is someone who has gone to and completed a traditional medical school.
The primary distinction between osteopathic and allopathic physicians is that some osteopathic physicians include manual medicine techniques, including spinal manipulation or massage therapy, in their course of care.
What Does It Take To Become a DO
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is a professional degree that can be earned after completing four years of pre-med or pre-veterinary school. If you plan on going straight into practice, it’s best to attend a DO program in your home state so that you can begin working immediately upon graduation.
If you’re interested in becoming a DO but want to go back and get more training, there are several options available:
- Complete an additional year of residency at an osteopathic medical institution like Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and/or the University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston (UTHealth) Medical School; this will allow for more time spent working under seasoned doctors who have already been approved by the American Osteopathic Association Council On Higher Education Accreditation Program prior to beginning their careers as physicians themselves; however, this option comes with an added cost since tuition fees must also be paid during this period which could run up against $100K per year depending on where one lives.
How Long Does It Take To Become a DO
To become a dentist, you need to go through four years of medical school and then one year of internship.
After that, you will have completed your residency training.
The process can be completed in less than five years but it’s best if you take at least ten months off between each step along the way so as not to miss out on much-needed rest or research time during these critical periods when progress is most likely being made.
What Is The Difference Between Osteopathy And Allopathy
Osteopathic medicine is a form of medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system.
It is based on the principle that the body can heal itself, and practitioners use hands-on techniques to treat patients.
Allopathy (or traditional allopathic) doctors follow a similar approach but employ chemical medications instead of physical treatments.
The goal of allopathic physicians is to remove disease from the body by using chemicals and other medicines—for example, they may prescribe antibiotics if someone gets an infection or antihistamines if they get allergy symptoms like sneezing or itching eyes.
Why Study Medicine In Texas
It’s no surprise that Texas is a great place to live, work and study. It has all the amenities of any other state in the U.S. and more:
- Texas is a great place to live.
- Texas has lots of opportunity for DOs.
- There are a lot of opportunities available for you if you’re interested in becoming a doctor.
Career Path For a DO Professional
A DO is a physician who has completed medical school and postgraduate training in both the United States and Canada.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) practice primary care, surgery, emergency medicine and sports medicine. They can also work in private practice or at a hospital.
A DO may choose to specialize further by choosing certain subspecialties such as pediatrics or internal medicine with additional training if required by state licensing regulations such as residency requirements for specialists like cardiologists who must complete three years of residency training before being allowed to treat patients independently.
Salary Prospects For a DO Professional In Texas
The salary you can expect to earn as a DO professional depends on your location, experience and the field you choose.
A DO student entering the field with less than two years of experience will begin earning $180,000-$200,000 per year in his or her first year.
If he or she has earned an additional two years of practice-based education and experience, then they can expect to earn $250-$300K annually.
Osteopathy Can Open Up Opportunities To You In Medicine As A Career.
There are many different careers that a DO can pursue. If you love medicine, then this is the career for you!
DO is a medical doctor who has received additional training in the field of osteopathy.
- This means that they have an understanding of how our bodies function and what we need to do to maintain good health.
DOs make up about half of all primary care physicians in the United States today.
- They also specialize in areas such as geriatrics, pediatrics and internal medicine–which means they see patients with various types of illnesses at different ages or stages of their lives.
- As well as being able to treat patients from birth until old age (and beyond), these doctors often specialize further into specific fields such as orthopedic surgery if they wish (i.e., treating broken bones).
The List of Top DO Schools In Texas
The top DO schools in Texas are listed below:
| Texas College Of Osteopathic Medicine (University Of North Texas) | Location:Fort Worth, TX National University Rank:49-123 Research/57 Primary Care Average MCAT: 507 Acceptance Rate: 11% (2019) Tuition:$13,078 (in-state)/$28,766 (out-of-state) Average GPA: 3.71 Enrollment: 230 (first-year admissions) Student-faculty ratio: 0.3:1 |
| Sam Houston State University College Of Osteopathic Medicine | Location: Conroe, TX National University Rank: Unranked Average MCAT: 506 Acceptance Rate: N/A Tuition: $55,000 Average GPA: 3.69 Enrollment: 75 (first-year admissions) Student-faculty ratio: N/A (23:1 at the University) |
| University Of Incarnate Word School Of Osteopathic Medicine | Location: San Antonio, TX National University Rank: 263 (National Universities) Average MCAT: 502 Acceptance Rate: N/A Tuition: $56,000 Average GPA: 3.61 Enrollment: 161 (first-year admissions) Student-faculty ratio: N/A (16:1 at the University) |
University of North Texas Health Science Center, Dallas
The top research university in the state of Texas, UNTHSC offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. It’s also one of only two medical schools in the United States that have osteopathic medicine as part of their curriculum.
TCOM, one of the best medical schools in the country for primary care, has a stellar reputation for its cutting-edge medical school curriculum, leading-edge research, excellent patient care, and exceptional student performance.
Program Requirements and Admissions:
Make sure to carefully study the policies and guidelines for both the Office of Admissions and Outreach (OAOA) and the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).
Please be aware that each application will be subject to a $50 processing fee.
Pre-match promotions start on October 15th.
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) Online Application.
All applicants must complete the TMDSAS online application for medical schools, which is accessible on their website at http://www.tmdsas.com/, in addition to providing official transcripts of all prior college-level coursework, scores from the Medical College Admission Test (see below), evaluations from either the college’s health professions advisory committee or from three different people, photographs, and any other optional materials. For more details, click here.
Texas A&M University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Corpus Christi
The only publicly funded osteopathic medical school in the south, it’s considered one of the best places to study medicine if you want to be a doctor but aren’t sure what kind yet.
The common thread that unites present and former students, researchers, alumni, and practicing physicians in one goal is medical education.
The Texas A&M College of Medicine promotes professional goal accomplishment and the modernization of patient populations’ access to healthcare by influencing education and training at all levels.
In order to develop lifelong learners and improve everyone’s access to healthcare, their curriculum offers flexibility and individualization to the educational process.
Program Requirements and Admissions:
The path to achieving career goals is created by their degrees, programs, and professional credentials.
They have a program that will meet your needs, including a wide range of dual degree programs to help you forge your own special career path, whether you want to be a doctor, medical scientist, or “physician.” For more details on admissions requirements, visit the school’s website.
West Texas A&M University Medical Center School Of Osteopathic Medicine In Lubbock
The medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is called the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
In order to provide more doctors for the underserved populations in the West Texas region, TTUHSC SOM was initially chartered in 1969.
Students have the chance to further their studies at five institutions on the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) campus in Lubbock, which is at the forefront of medical education.
Students have the chance to engage in hands-on research and clinical practice thanks to their programs and facilities, and numerous partnerships with local organizations provide them with the real-world exposure that is essential to their success.
The universities are among the best in the country, and the faculty members and students there are honored for their successes on a local, regional, and international scale.
Program Requirements and Admissions:
The School of Medicine Programs includes the following:
- Doctor of Medicine/Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. (M.D./Ph.D.)
- Doctor of Medicine/Master of Business Administration (M.D./MBA (Health Organization Management)
- Doctor of Jurisprudence / Medical Dual Degree
- Doctor of Medicine / Master of Biomedical Sciences (M.D./M.S.)
- Doctor of Medicine / Master of Public Health (M.D./M.PH.)
- Family Medicine Accelerated Track (FMAT)
- Fellowship Programs
- Medical Doctor (M.D.)
- Medical Humanities (Certificate)
- Residency Programs
Visit the office of admissions for more information about the admission process and requirements. For more information, visit the school’s website.
Sam Houston State University of Osteopathic Medicine
The medical program of Sam Houston State University in Conroe, Texas, is known as the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The college, which was established in 2019, awards the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. On 7.3 acres, the campus comprises a five-story, 107,000-square-foot building.
Schools Requirements and Applications:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident of the U.S. to be eligible for admissions review and consideration.
- Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. College or University accredited by a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized accrediting body.
- Completion of the following courses with no grade below “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale)
- English, 6 credit hours
- Biology, including laboratory; 8 credit hours
- Physics, including laboratory; 8 credit hours
- General Chemistry, including laboratory; 8 credit hours
- Organic Chemistry, including laboratory; 8 credit hours (Biochemistry can be substituted for Organic Chemistry II)
- Mathematics, 6 credit hours – 3 hours must be Statistics
- Submit your Altus Assessments (Casper, Snapshot, Duet). All assessments are required.
All academic courses attempted at a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will be reviewed for transferability. For more information, click here.
FAQs
1. What are the do schools in Texas?
- Osteopathic Medical Schools in Texas
- University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
2. What is the best school for Osteopathic Medicine?
- Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine #1
- Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine at University of Pikeville #2
- Western University of Health Sciences #3
- William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine #4
- A.T. Still University of Health Sciences- Kirksville #5
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences #6
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University #7
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- #9
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at University of North Texas Health Sciences Center #11
- A.T. Still University of Health Sciences- Mesa #12 (tie)
- Touro University California #12 (tie)
- Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University #14
- The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences #17 (tie)
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University #17 (tie)
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine #19
3. Does Texas have a good med school?
Texas has a total of fourteen medical schools (with one awaiting full accreditation), of which two, Baylor College of Medicine and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, are in the top 30 medical schools in research and the top 20 in primary care, according to U.S. News and World Report.
4. What is the hardest osteopathic school to get into?
Based on overall acceptance rates, average MCAT score, and average GPA, the hardest DO school to get into is the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University.
5. Is DO less prestigious than MD?
In the United States, an MD degree is typically more well-respected than a DO. That does not mean a physician with either degree is actually better or worse than the other.
There are more MDs than DOs, and because of this standardized acceptance of MDs, they often are considered slightly more reputable.
6. Why choose a DO over an MD?
MDs generally focus on treating specific conditions with medication. DOs, on the other hand, tend to focus on whole-body healing, with or without traditional medication.
They generally have a stronger holistic approach and have been trained with additional hours of hands-on techniques.
7. Can DOs become surgeons?
But can DOs become surgeons? Yes! DO doctors can absolutely become surgeons.
In fact, the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons holds an annual conference for DO surgeons.
8. How many osteopathic medical schools are in Texas?
Texas has three osteopathic medical schools.
9. What is the easiest DO school to get into?
Here is a list of easiest DO schools to get into:
- Liberty University – College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM).
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Campbell University – Jerry M.
- Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.
10. Is a DO easier than an MD?
In the United States, doctors are either an MD (allopathic doctors) or DO (osteopathic doctors).
For patients, there’s virtually no difference between treatment by a DO vs MD. In other words, you should be equally comfortable if your doctor is an M.D. or a D.O.
11. How long is a DO vs MD school?
Both programs take four years to complete. However, you must remember that each program varies by college.
12. Can DO doctors specialize?
Over 43% of DOs do not practice in primary care, In fact, doctors of osteopathic medicine practice in all medical specialties from anesthesiology, child neurology and dermatology to emergency medicine, psychiatry, and surgery.
Conclusion:
Osteopathic medicine is a growing field, and it’s expected to continue growing at an impressive rate.
This means that you have plenty of career opportunities and options in Texas if you want to become a DO. We hope we’ve helped inform your choice of whether this is the right path for you!