Do Schools In Florida

In Jan. 2023, Florida Tech and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine entered into an affiliation agreement to establish a four-year osteopathic medical school on Florida Tech’s campus in Melbourne, Florida, and to offer an Osteopathic Medicine Pathway Program to Florida Tech students. Housed in the L3Harris Commons building, the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at Florida Tech will welcome its first class of medical students in Fall 2024.

Pre-Osteopathic Physician (D.O.) Advising

The field of physician care is in high demand as the overall population ages and access to health insurance opens. According to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, osteopathic physicians provide all of the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. Osteopathic physicians also offer the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention.

NOTE: Pre-med is not a major or a program, and The University of Tampa does not have a medical school. Pre-med is an interest or path students choose that advisors help guide them on their journey towards applying to medical school.

Preparing for Osteopathic Medical School

Earn a bachelor’s degree

Medical school is a graduate program; to become eligible to apply to medical school students need to earn a bachelor’s degree and take specific pre-requisites (classes that medical schools require). At UT, students can earn a bachelor’s degree and take pre-requisite courses. They will need to choose a major as pre-med is not a major or a program at UT.

Students who are interested in going to medical school typically major in biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. These majors include most of the required courses for entrance into medical programs and will help prepare students for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). However, other degrees can also prepare students for health professions; thus students are encouraged to major in the field where they excel and should consult the pre-health professions advisor about course work.

Basic pre-requisite* (Each osteopathic medical school has its own set of pre-requisites and suggested courses, and students need to research the admission requirements of each school to which they are intending to apply.) courses required for osteopathic medical school:

• Biology I (1) and II (2) with labs
• General Chemistry I (1) and II (2) with labs
• Organic Chemistry I (1) and II (2) with labs
• Physics I (1) and II (2) with labs
• Biochemistry
• Calculus and/or Statistics
• Intro to Psychology and Intro to Sociology: these behavioral sciences are needed for the MCAT
• Most medical schools prefer students to have additional upper-level biology courses

*Each osteopathic medical school has its own set of pre-requisites and suggested courses, and students need to research the admission requirements of each school to which they are intending to apply. Search accredited osteopathic medical schools in the U.S. and their pre-requisites.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

• Completion of the basic pre-requisites is needed to be prepared to take the MCAT.
• The MCAT is required for all U.S medical schools. It is about 7.5 hours long and costs $305.
• Students who are on the traditional path of going to medical school directly following graduation from UT should be prepared to take the MCAT in the late spring/early summer of their junior year.
• Take the MCAT before applying to medical schools.

Build an extensive record of relevant experiences

• Shadow an osteopathic physician – gain knowledge of the medical field and confirm if this is your passion
• Community service/volunteer – students should have a passion for helping others; opportunities could be inside or outside of medical/clinical settings
• Research/lab experience
• Leadership – roles on and off-campus

Medical school applications

• Students apply to medical school a full year before they intend to start (summer of junior year through fall of senior year).
• Applications open every May and each school has its own deadline.
• Most medical schools have rolling admissions, so they will review student files as soon as they are complete and submitted. Applicants are encouraged to apply early!
• Take a look now at what is expected of the application: AACOMAS Application

Osteopathic medical school information

• A traditional osteopathic medical school program is four years long. In most schools, the first two years focus on the basic science foundation of medicine, which is followed by two years of clinical rotations in primary care and specialties.
• There are two osteopathic medical schools in Florida:
  • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Bradenton campus
  • Nova Southeastern University (Clearwater and Fort Lauderdale campus)

  Pre-Health Professions Committee (PHPC)

  Members of the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics and the Department of Biology offer guidance to students and write letters of recommendation, known as Committee Letters, through UT’s Pre-Health Professional Committee (PHPC).

  Contact

  Pre-professional advising has a dedicated program specialist to help students prepare for professional school in the health sciences. The specialist would like to see all pre-health students early on to ensure they are on the path to success. Please email Jackie Mikulski to inquire about the next steps in the pre-health advising program.

  Additional Resources

  • Natural and Health Sciences
  • Degrees
  • Message from the Dean
  • Mission Statement
  • CNHS Dean’s List
  • Contact Information
  • Newsletter
  • CNHS Faculty Resources

  Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

  

  Welcome to Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at Florida Tech

  In Jan. 2023, Florida Tech and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine entered into an affiliation agreement to establish a four-year osteopathic medical school on Florida Tech’s campus in Melbourne, Florida, and to offer an Osteopathic Medicine Pathway Program to Florida Tech students. Housed in the L3Harris Commons building, the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at Florida Tech will welcome its first class of medical students in Fall 2024.

  About Burrell College

  Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private, four-year osteopathic medical school centered on student success and mission medicine. Burrell College is committed to educating a physician workforce representing the population and communities it serves. Burrell College utilizes the latest medical education technologies and methods to ensure student success in all fields of medicine — from primary care to subspecialties like surgery, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine.

  The Burrell College curriculum provides academic and clinical training in fundamental biomedical and clinical science principles throughout students’ first and second years. Burrell College offers an array of unique resources, including a hybrid gross-virtual anatomy laboratory, a standardized patient facility, and a high-fidelity simulation center to enhance students’ familiarity with clinical scenarios while developing clinical skills.

  Established in 2013, Burrell College is an independent college with two campuses, New Mexico and Florida, and several regional academic centers throughout Arizona, Texas, Florida, and New Mexico. Burrell College champions diversity as a strength, exemplifying the institution’s motto, “Para la gente y el future: For the people and the future.”

  Definition and Value of Osteopathic Medicine

  In the realm of healthcare, osteopathic medicine stands out for its holistic and patient-centered philosophy. While many people are familiar with conventional allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine offers a unique perspective on healthcare that emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and the importance of treating the whole person, not just isolated symptoms.

  What is Osteopathic Medicine?

  Osteopathic medicine, or osteopathy, is a distinct branch of medicine that emphasizes a whole-person approach to healthcare. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) undergo rigorous training, which includes medical school followed by specialized osteopathic training. They are fully licensed medical doctors who can diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe medications, and perform surgery just like their allopathic (MD) counterparts.

  Core Principles of Osteopathic Medicine

  1. The Body’s Self-Healing Ability: Osteopathic medicine places great importance on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. DOs view their role as facilitators of this inherent healing process.
  2. The Interconnectedness of Body Systems: Osteopathic physicians consider the body as a unified system, where all parts are interrelated. They focus on treating the root causes of illness, rather than just addressing symptoms.
  3. Structure and Function: The foundation of osteopathic medicine is the principle that the body’s structure and function are intimately linked. Problems in the musculoskeletal system can affect other systems, and vice versa.
  4. Holistic Care: Osteopathic medicine takes a holistic approach to patient care, considering not only the physical but also the emotional, social, and environmental aspects of health.

  Why Osteopathic Medicine Is Valuable

  1. Preventative Care: Osteopathic physicians often emphasize preventive care and lifestyle modifications to maintain good health. They work closely with patients to create personalized wellness plans.
  2. Reduced Reliance on Medications: Osteopathic treatment methods, including osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), can reduce the need for medications or surgery in some cases. This approach minimizes potential side effects and risks.
  3. Whole-Person Focus: DOs take the time to listen to their patients and consider all aspects of their health. This personalized approach often results in more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
  4. Complementary and Integrative Medicine: Osteopathic physicians are open to incorporating complementary and integrative therapies alongside conventional treatments. This flexibility can lead to more comprehensive and patient-centric care.
  5. Improved Patient Outcomes: Many patients report high levels of satisfaction with osteopathic care, citing better pain management, reduced recovery times, and improved overall well-being.
  6. Diverse Specializations: Osteopathic physicians can specialize in various medical fields, including family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, and more. This versatility allows patients to access osteopathic care across a wide range of healthcare needs.

  Osteopathic medicine’s focus on holistic, patient-centered care, and its emphasis on the body’s innate ability to heal, make it a valuable and increasingly popular choice in the healthcare landscape. Whether you seek relief from a specific ailment or aim to maintain your overall health and wellness, an osteopathic physician may offer a unique perspective and a comprehensive approach to your healthcare needs. By recognizing the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and treating the whole person, osteopathic medicine empowers patients to take control of their health and well-being.