Of the 35 accredited schools of osteopathic medicine in the US, 2 are in Florida.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) has a location in Bradenton, and Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) has its main campus in Fort Lauderdale and an additional location in Clearwater.
This article takes a detailed look at both; including everything you’re ever likely to want to know about DO schools in Florida.
List of DO Schools In Florida
Data and ranking positions are determined by U.S. News reports and individual medical school data.
1. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
| Location: | Bradenton, FL |
| National University Rank: | 93-123 Best Medical Schools: Research, 80 (tie) Best Medical Schools: Primary Care |
| Average MCAT: | 497 or higher, or Academic Index Score (AIS) of 110 or higher |
| Acceptance Rate: | N/A |
| Tuition: | $34,380 resident, $36,640 non-resident |
| Average GPA: | 2.7 or higher |
| Enrollment: | 779 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio: | 1 to 1 |
| Percentage of Students with Federal Financial Aid: | 83 |
The main campus of LECOM is in Erie, PA, and they have branch locations in Greensburg, PA, and Elmira, NY in addition to the Bradenton location.
The mission statement of LECOM states that it “serves as a guiding light and cornerstone in medical education” to “enhance the quality of life through improved health for all humanity.”
The Bradenton branch campus is located in the suburban Lakewood Ranch community near the Florida Gulf Coast – the nearest cities are Sarasota and Tampa. Along with Millcreek Community Hospital and Medical Associates of Erie, “the College is the core of LECOM Health, an innovative medical education, and health care system.”
LECOM’s campuses feature the latest educational technology focused on teaching students patient care, including multi-purpose labs and a Standardized Patient Suite.
LECOM Bradenton does not provide student housing, but the college will help in securing appropriate housing close to campus.
LECOM Bradenton features the PBL (Problem-Based Learning) pathway, emphasizing small-group self-directed case-based study. In their third and fourth years, students are able to do rotations at more than 90 hospitals around the US.
LECOM offers concurrent degree programs, coupling the DO degree with:
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Health Services Administration
- Master of Biomedical Ethics
- Master of Medical Education
- Doctor of Health Care Administration
- Master of Science in Nursing
Check out the video below for more on LECOM Bradenton and why it might be a good fit for you…
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
The primary application service for LECOM is AACOMAS. LECOM is looking for well-rounded individuals who demonstrate success in their prerequisites, for those who demonstrate the potential to become competent osteopathic physicians, and for those who will partner with their patients on the pathway to well-being.
The LECOM interview consists of an information session and randomized questions with designated response times. A partner organization controls the recording and timing.
COVID considerations
LECOM is one of the osteopathic medical schools that has adapted admissions processes in response to COVID. LECOM is doing only virtual interviews at the moment, and they also accept online coursework for prerequisites and lab work.
DETAILS
- Name: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
- Phone: 814-866-6641
- Website: lecom.edu
2. Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM)
| Location: | Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater |
| National University Rank: | 93-123 Best Medical Schools: Research, 93-123 Best Medical Schools: Primary Care |
| Average MCAT: | 505 |
| Acceptance Rate: | 15% |
| Tuition: | $55,784 resident, $63,638 non-resident |
| Average GPA: | 3.6 |
| Enrollment: | 1,312 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio: | N/A |
| Percentage of Students with Federal Financial Aid: | 77 |
NSU-KPCOM was the first osteopathic medical school established in the southeastern US. Its mission statement declares it is “dedicated to student-centered learning” to “produce exemplary osteopathic physicians known for competent and compassionate care.”
NSU-KPCOM has two Florida locations: Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater. The Clearwater/Tampa Bay Regional Campus features a 311,000 square foot state-of-the-art medical school, with open common areas, waterfront views, and a two-story fitness center. The focus of this campus is multi-disciplinary learning from industry-experienced experts.
As a part of Nova Southeastern University, the second-largest non-profit university in the southeast, NSU-KPCOM has a wide number of hospital and healthcare affiliations. The Health Professions Division and its colleges work as a team to present a dynamic education to all of its members, focusing on innovation, academic excellence, and community service.
NSU’s Healthcare Professions Division “has developed in a multidisciplinary academic health center of international stature.” As a member of the division, NSU-KPCOM provides an innovative curriculum, hands-on learning with real and simulated patients, and the latest virtual and 3-D technology. NSU-KPCOM also offers a number of predoctoral fellowships and medical outreach programs to reach underserved populations. The curriculum “is updated continually, keeping students honed in on the evolution of the health care field.”
NSU-KPCOM does not provide housing but provides incoming students with information about off-campus rentals, including a roommate-finding service and moving tips.
NSU-KPCOM offers a number of concurrent degree programs:
- DO/MBA
- DO/Master of Public Health
- DO/Master of Nutrition
- DO/Master of Biomedical Informatics
- DO/Master of Disaster and Emergency Management
- DO/Master of Medical Education
The school also offers Research Medicine Fellowships, Clinical Training Program, and International Medical Programs.
All students are required to participate in the Community Service Course; the purpose is to foster “a sense and habit of stewardship for people and the environment” while providing healthcare to the larger community.
You can get a closer look at this beautiful DO school by checking out the video below…
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
The primary application process for NSU-KPCOM is AACOMAS. Once the school has received this application, they will send an online secondary application. Some applicants will be granted an interview, but an interview is not a guarantee of admission.
COVID considerations
NSU-KPCOM is one of the osteopathic medical schools that has adapted admissions processes in response to COVID. NSU-KPCOM is doing only virtual interviews at the moment, and they also accept online coursework for prerequisites and lab work from regionally accredited institutions.
DETAILS
- Name: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Phone: 800-541-6682
- Website: osteopathic.nova.edu
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Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.