- 1). Obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Most of the top schools of osteopathic medicine require an undergraduate degree that includes one year each of English, biological sciences, general chemistry and organic chemistry. While your degree may be awarded in any major or field, it is important to include these areas of study in your curriculum. Other courses that may be required include mathematics, psychology or genetics. Most applicants to osteopathic medical schools have undergraduate degrees in the sciences with an emphasis on biology or chemistry.
- 2). Take the Medical College Admissions Test. This is a requirement for admission to any type of reputable medical school. The MCAT score gives the admissions board another method of assessing a student's readiness for medical school and chance of success.
- 3). Attend a college of osteopathic medicine. Osteopathic medical education is a four year curriculum broken into two major phases. In the first two years, students focus extensively on the basic sciences. In the latter two years, known as the clinical phase, training takes place in medical centers and hospitals and focuses on patient care.
- 4). Complete an internship. The internship for an osteopathic physician is a 12-month period in which the new doctor rotates through various care environments, including family practice, internal medicine and surgery. This process helps a new physician pinpoint the area of care in which he or she would like to ultimately work.
- 5). Complete a residency, if specialty training is desired. For doctors of osteopathy who choose to specialize, continued training in the area of specialty is required. Depending upon the specialty, this process can take from two to six years. To become board certified in a particular area, one must also pass the board exam.
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