| 2024 – 2025 Academic Year Calendar | X - XI |
| First Semester | X - XI |
| Mission and Objectives | 2 |
| of the | 2 |
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine | 2 |
| About VCOM: A Message from the President Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO | 4 |
| VCOM Statement of Commitment to the Students, the Medically Underserved Regions, and the International Community | 6 |
| History of the College | 7 |
| Accreditation, State Licensure and Membership | 10 |
| 142 E. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2864 | 10 |
| Phone: (888) 626-9262 Email: predoc@osteopathic.org | 10 |
| Location, Community and University Affiliations | 17 |
| VCOM Virginia Campus Overview | 17 |
| VCOM Carolinas Campus Overview | 18 |
| VCOM Auburn Campus Overview | 19 |
| VCOM Louisiana Campus Overview | 20 |
| VCOM Libraries | 21 |
| Notice of Nondiscrimination | 23 |
| Recruitment Priorities | 24 |
| Admissions Procedures | 25 |
| Admissions Process and Professional Expectations | 25 |
| Minimum Requirements for Interview and Admission | 25 |
| Technical Standards for Admission and Successful Completion of the Osteopathic Program at VCOM | 27 |
| The requirements to succeed at VCOM are those required to successfully complete the medical school curriculum and to safely practice osteopathic medicine with full practice rights. VCOM supports students with disabilities who can be reasonably accomm... | 27 |
| Patient safety and well-being are considered by VCOM when accepting students or continuing the enrollment of students. Students must be able to function in a variety of learning and clinical settings, including lecture halls, laboratories (biomedical... | 27 |
| As such, students must be able to quickly, accurately, and consistently learn and process large amounts of information and report that data quickly and accurately and perform their duties in the clinical setting without restriction and in a manner tha... | 27 |
| Further, the mission of the college embraces primary care medicine and requires all students to gain the medical knowledge and clinical skills necessary to enter a primary care residency. Recognizing that medical school is as a career path in which s... | 27 |
| The applicant must possess the abilities and skills in the following seven areas to be a successful student while at VCOM and to be a successful physician in the future: | 27 |
| Students must demonstrate the capacity to make professional and ethical decisions expected of a medical professional at all times to be successful in the curriculum and to effectively and safely care for patients. This requires students to demonstrat... | 31 |
| Self-Identification of Disabilities as an Applicant | 32 |
| AACOMAS Application | 33 |
| Official Transcripts | 34 |
| VCOM Secondary Application | 34 |
| Interview Selection and Admissions Process | 35 |
| Rescinding Admissions Offer | 36 |
| Early Decision Admissions Track | 36 |
| Transfer Applicants | 37 |
| Courses not taken at the previous academic institution must be successfully completed at VCOM prior to third year rotations. Additional courses required and requirements for completion of these courses will be determined by the Campus Dean. | 38 |
| Tuition and Fees | 40 |
| Admissions Application Fee | 40 |
| Acceptance Fee | 40 |
| Tuition and Fees 2025-2026 | 40 |
| Penalty for Insufficient Funds | 41 |
| Provisions for VA Beneficiaries Pending Payment | 41 |
| In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), VCOM adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) ... | 41 |
| Prevent the student’s enrollment; | 41 |
| Assess a late penalty fee to; | 41 |
| Require student secure alternative or additional funding; | 41 |
| Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution. | 41 |
| However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to: | 41 |
| Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent) or for Chapter 31, VA VR&E’s contract with the school on VA Form 28-1905 by the first day of class. | 41 |
| o Chapter 33 students can register at the VA Regional Office to use E-Benefits to get the equivalent of a Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility. Chapter 31 student cannot get a completed VA Form 28-1905 (or any equivalent) before the VA VR&E case-man... | 41 |
| Provide written request to be certified; | 41 |
| Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies. | 41 |
| Tuition Refund Policy | 41 |
| Form 1098-T | 42 |
| The Office of Financial Aid | 42 |
| VCOM Estimated Cost of Attendance | 43 |
| Applying for Financial Aid | 43 |
| Determining Financial Need and Awarding Financial Aid | 45 |
| Additional Loan Information | 45 |
| Scholarship Information | 48 |
| Health Requirements | 50 |
| History and Physical Examination Requirement | 50 |
| Required Laboratory Tests and Immunizations | 51 |
| Optional Laboratory Tests and Immunizations | 51 |
| Basic Life Support Certification for Healthcare Providers Requirement | 53 |
| Students must become certified in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers by the American Heart Association (AHA) prior to the beginning of their OMS 1 year. Students must keep their Basic Life Support Certification for Healthcare Providers curre... | 53 |
| Environmental and Occupational Exposure and Universal Precautions | 53 |
| Insurance Requirements | 56 |
| Disability Insurance | 56 |
| Liability Insurance | 57 |
| Students currently enrolled as full-time students in good academic standing at VCOM and who are expected to graduate with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine are covered by VCOM's liability insurance coverage on approved curriculum such as cl... | 57 |
| Health Insurance | 57 |
| Health Services | 58 |
| Medical Treatment of VCOM Students and Employees by VCOM Physician Faculty or Other VCOM Students | 59 |
| Message from the Campus Deans | 63 |
| Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Programmatic Educational Objectives for Osteopathic Core Competencies | 64 |
| Curriculum Description | 65 |
| Graduation Requirements | 65 |
| Credit Hour Policy | 67 |
| Credit Hours for the Pre-Clinical Curriculum | 67 |
| Credit Hours for the Clinical Curriculum | 68 |
| Osteopathic Medical School - Years One and Two | 69 |
| OMS 1 – Semester 1, Block 1 – Foundations of Medicine | 71 |
| OMS 1 – Semester 1, Block 2 – Musculoskeletal System | 73 |
| OMS 1 – Semester 2, Block 3 – Neurological System and Special Senses | 76 |
| OMS 1 – Semester 2, Block 4 – Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems | 79 |
| OMS 2 – Semester 3, Block 5 – Gastrointestinal and Renal Systems | 83 |
| OMS 2 – Semester 3, Block 6 – Reproductive and Endocrine Systems | 86 |
| OMS 2 – Semester 4, Block 7 – Integumentary, Hematologic, and Lymphatic Systems | 89 |
| OMS 2 – Semester 4, Block 8 - Comprehensive Review Block | 92 |
| Osteopathic Medical School - Year Three | 94 |
| Osteopathic Medical School - Year Four | 102 |
| Residency Assistance in the OMS 3 and OMS 4 Years | 111 |
| ERAS | 111 |
| Residency Match Success | 111 |
| Parallel (Dual) Degree Opportunities | 112 |
| Academic Assistance | 114 |
| Counseling Services | 115 |
| VCOM Internal Counseling Services | 115 |
| External Counseling Services | 115 |
| Academic Advising | 117 |
| Peer Tutoring | 117 |
| Assistance for Matriculated Students with Disabilities | 118 |
| General Academic Policies | 125 |
| Educational Conflicts of Interest and Recusal | 126 |
| Grading and GPAs for OMS 1 and OMS 2 | 127 |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress | 127 |
| Course Remediation | 128 |
| Repeated Course(s) | 129 |
| Audited Course(s) | 129 |
| Grading and GPAs for OMS 3 and OMS 4 | 131 |
| Clinical Grading for OMS 3 | 131 |
| Clinical Grading for OMS 4 | 133 |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress | 133 |
| End of Rotation Exam Remediation and/or Failure | 134 |
| Clinical Rotation Competency Evaluation Failure | 135 |
| Clinical Rotation Repeated Performance Issues | 136 |
| The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (The Dean’s Letter) | 136 |
| Academic Probation | 136 |
| Altered Degree Plan of Study | 137 |
| Failure to Make Academic Progress While on an Altered Degree Plan | 138 |
| Promotion Board | 138 |
| 1. At the conclusion of the academic block/rotation the appropriate Associate Dean, appropriate for the year of the student, may convene the Promotion Board: | 141 |
| The Associate Dean for Pre-Clinical Medical Education convenes and Chairs the Board for all OMS 1 and OMS 2 cases. | 141 |
| The Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs convenes and Chairs the Board for all OMS 3 cases. | 141 |
| The Associate Dean for OMS 4 and GME convenes and Chairs the Board for all OMS 4 cases. | 141 |
| 2. Once a student has been deemed to be experiencing difficulty in making academic progress that warrants a Promotion Board review, the appropriate Associate Dean will meet with each student to notify them of their final course grade (or component gra... | 141 |
| The Associate Dean will also inform the student of the Promotion Board process and answer any questions the student has. This includes making the student aware that: | 141 |
| o Prior to the Promotion Board meeting, each student coming before the Board must submit a letter presenting any issues or considerations that they wish to make known to the Promotion Board. The student must submit any information they plan to presen... | 142 |
| o Student attendance at the Promotion Board meeting is required. Students in the OMS 3 or OMS 4 years who are at distant clinical sites may be approved by the Associate Dean to attend via appropriate video conferencing technology. OMS 1 – OMS 4 stud... | 142 |
| o The CIFSS mental health counselor will be present to provide student support but will not share confidential information about the student with the Promotion Board. | 142 |
| o The Class President may be present to discuss and answer any questions on course issues or block issues that may have impacted the class as a whole. The Class President is not in attendance to serve as a character witness or advocate for the student. | 142 |
| o No other individuals are permitted to attend the Promotion Board meeting on the student’s behalf. | 142 |
| Following the meeting with the student, the Associate Dean will follow-up by emailing the student the standard Promotion Board notification email. | 142 |
| 5. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will report on any documentation that the Office of Student Affairs may have which may be relevant to the student's academic progress. | 142 |
| 6. The Registrar will report on the student's academic record including VCOM GPA, any prior failures or repeated courses, and any other VCOM information relevant to the student’s academic progress. | 142 |
| 7. The Course Director, Associate Dean, and/or the Clinical Discipline Chair will report the facts surrounding the grade, including the student’s course/rotation performance, attendance, professionalism, and efforts to improve performance (i.e. seekin... | 142 |
| 8. The Class President may join the meeting to discuss and answer any questions on course issues or block issues that may have impacted the class as a whole. The Class President is not in attendance to serve as a character witness or advocate for the... | 142 |
| For students who are recommended to be allowed to remediate and be placed on academic probation, the Chair will notify the student, via email, of the recommendation of the Promotion Board. | 144 |
| For students who are recommended to repeat an academic year or be dismissed, the Chair will notify the student in-person of the recommendation of the Promotion Board and will follow with an email copy of the recommendation letter. The Mental Health... | 144 |
| Upon receiving the decision from the Campus Dean, the student, within seven working days, may appeal the Campus Dean’s decision to the Provost. In lieu of appealing, the student may waive their right to appeal by so indicating in the appropriate plac... | 144 |
| While the student is awaiting the Promotion Board’s recommendation, Campus Dean’s decision, or Provost’s decision, the student must attend scheduled class(s)/rotation(s) and must take exams, including remediation exams. | 145 |
| Exam/course grades will be released to the student during this time, including students who are in the appeal process, so that they can monitor their progress and prepare appropriately for subsequent exams; however, grades will not be recorded unles... | 145 |
| Numeric grades of remediation exams will not be released to the student, but the student will be notified whether they pass or fail; this includes students who are in the appeal process. In addition, remediation exams are not released or reviewed, ... | 145 |
| Comprehensive Testing: COMSAE Phase 1 | 147 |
| COMSAE Phase 1: A Comprehensive Review Exam | 147 |
| COMSAE Phase 1: First Attempt | 147 |
| COMSAE Phase 1: Second Attempt | 149 |
| COMSAE Phase 1: Third Attempt | 151 |
| Comprehensive Testing: COMSAE Phase 2 | 154 |
| COMSAE Phase 2: A Comprehensive Review Exam | 154 |
| COMSAE Phase 2: First and Second Attempt | 154 |
| Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Performance Exam | 157 |
| COMPE: First Attempt | 157 |
| COMPE: Second Attempt | 157 |
| COMLEX Level 2 CE | 162 |
| Student Professional and Ethical Expectations | 167 |
| VCOM Student Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct | 167 |
| American Osteopathic Association’s Code of Ethics | 168 |
| Osteopathic Oath | 171 |
| The first version of the Osteopathic Oath was used from 1938 to 1954, at which time minor amendments were adopted. The below version has been in use since 1954 and is the Hippocratic Oath for osteopathic physicians. Students recite the Osteopathic O... | 171 |
| General Professional and Ethical Policies | 171 |
| Academic Freedom | 171 |
| Consensual Relationships Policy | 171 |
| Dress Code | 172 |
| Fundraising | 174 |
| Information Technology and Copyright | 174 |
| Publications and Media Relations | 175 |
| Social Media Policy | 175 |
| The Osteopathic Examination and Osteopathic Manipulation | 180 |
| The Requirement of Touching and Examination Using Peer-to-Peer Learning | 180 |
| Professionalism in the Peer-To-Peer Learning Environment | 181 |
| Clinical Professional and Ethical Expectations | 185 |
| Tardiness and/or Unexcused absenteeism | 185 |
| Medical or psychological illness | 185 |
| Suspected substance abuse (alcohol and other drugs) by behavior or positive drug screen | 185 |
| Suspected illegal behavior | 185 |
| Suspected physical, sexual, or emotional abuse | 185 |
| Disruptive behavior as a member of the medical team | 185 |
| Other areas of professional concern | 185 |
| Performing Patient Care Activities | 185 |
| Medical Student Patient Care Supervision and Expectations for Performance in Patient Care | 186 |
| Assurance of Students Health Prior to Involvement in Patient Care | 190 |
| White Coats and VCOM ID Badges | 191 |
| Patient Confidentiality | 191 |
| Medical Records/Charting | 191 |
| Fatigue Mitigation | 192 |
| Arrests, Illegal Behavior, and Background Checks | 194 |
| Background Checks | 194 |
| A background check is mandatory prior to matriculation and will be required on one or more occasions during the four years of enrollment. A background check is required to assure the applicant is not a risk to fellow students, faculty, staff, or pati... | 194 |
| Arrests and Illegal Behavior | 195 |
| Alcohol and Drug Testing | 195 |
| Positive Drug Screen or Arrests for Illegal Drug Usage or Sales | 196 |
| Self-Identification for Drug or Alcohol Dependence | 196 |
| Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention | 196 |
| Acts of Discrimination, Harassment and Violence | 197 |
| Violation of the Discrimination, Harassment, and Violence Policy | 197 |
| VCOM’s commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination includes and extends far beyond the federally protected classes and includes, but is not limited to, age, gender, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, ancestry, marital status, pr... | 198 |
| Sexual Discrimination | 198 |
| Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (amending the Higher Education Act of 1965) prohibits discrimination based on sex, including in education programs and activities that receive federal funding. ... | 198 |
| Violence | 199 |
| Reporting Acts of Discrimination, Harassment, or Violence | 199 |
| Grievance Procedure for Claims of Discrimination, Harassment, or Violence | 200 |
| Honor Code of Conduct | 200 |
| The Honor Code Council Intervention Sub-Committee (HCCIS) | 202 |
| The Honor Code Council (HCC) | 203 |
| Professional and Ethical Standards Board (PESB) | 210 |
| Attendance/Hours of Duty Policy | 215 |
| Observed Holidays | 215 |
| Attendance Requirements for OMS 1 and OMS 2 Students | 215 |
| Mechanism to Verify Attendance – OMS 1 and OMS 2 Students | 216 |
| OMS 1 and OMS 2 Tardiness | 216 |
| Tardiness is defined as arriving more than 5 minutes after the scheduled time the class or other educational activity/exam begins. Tardiness or late arrival is disruptive to other students who arrived on time and who are already engaged in the academ... | 216 |
| Repeated tardiness will be referred to the Honor Code Council. Students must be in their assigned seat to receive credit for attendance, if they are not present in their seat at the time the picture is taken, they will be marked as absent. | 216 |
| Repeated tardiness in regard to mandatory learning activities and exams will be defined as: | 216 |
| OMS 1 and OMS 2 Excused Absences | 216 |
| OMS 1 and OMS 2 Unexcused Absences | 219 |
| Consequences for Not Meeting the Requirements of the Attendance Policy | 220 |
| Attendance Requirements for OMS 3 and OMS 4 Students | 220 |
| OMS 3 and OMS 4 Tardiness | 221 |
| Didactic, Case Presentations, and OMM Workshop Attendance | 221 |
| Mechanism to Verify Attendance – OMS 3 and OMS 4 Students | 222 |
| OMS 3 and OMS 4 Excused Absences | 223 |
| OMS 3 and OMS 4 Unexcused Absences | 225 |
| Consequences for Not Meeting the Requirements of the Attendance Policy | 225 |
| Leave of Absence Policies and Procedures | 226 |
| Leave of Absence | 226 |
| Unapproved Leave of Absence | 227 |
| Types of Leaves of Absence | 228 |
| Academic Leave of Absence | 228 |
| Administrative Leave of Absence | 228 |
| Medical Leave of Absence | 228 |
| Personal Leave of Absence | 229 |
| Mandatory Medical Leave of Absence | 233 |
| Requesting to Return to the Academic Program from a Mandatory Medical Leave of Absence | 235 |
| Withdrawal Policies and Procedures | 235 |
| Withdrawal | 235 |
| Temporary Withdrawal | 235 |
| Permanent Withdrawal | 235 |
| Classifications for Withdrawal | 236 |
| Academic Withdrawal | 236 |
| Administrative Withdrawal | 236 |
| Medical Withdrawal | 236 |
| Military Withdrawal | 237 |
| Personal Withdrawal | 237 |
| Suspension | 242 |
| Academic Suspension | 242 |
| Disciplinary Suspension | 242 |
| Emergency Mandatory Suspension | 243 |
| Dismissal | 244 |
| Individual Assessment Team | 244 |
| Appeal Process | 245 |
| Upon receiving written notification from the Campus Dean, the student, within seven (7) calendar days, may appeal the Campus Dean’s decision to the Provost. The Provost has discretionary power to affirm, modify, or remand the decision. The appeal mu... | 245 |
| Transcript Requests from Students | 247 |
| Official Transcripts | 247 |
| VCOM prohibits the Registrar from releasing official transcripts directly to any previous or current student; however, students may request an official transcript to be released directly to hospitals, board licensing programs, loan companies, etc. Th... | 247 |
| Unofficial Transcripts | 248 |
| Enrolled students in good standing or alumni may download their own unofficial transcript at any time, free of charge. | 248 |
| Class of 2020 and Prior | 248 |
| Rights through the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) | 248 |
| Release of Information | 249 |
| Release of Third-Party Information | 249 |
| International and Appalachian Outreach | 251 |
| Student Research, Publication, and Presentation Opportunities and Requirements at VCOM | 256 |
| Clinical Shadowing | 258 |
| Recreational Activities | 259 |
| Release from Liability for Participation in Activities | 260 |
| Appointed, Elected, and Other Extracurricular Memberships | 261 |
| Company Ambassadors/Representatives and Endorsements/Promotions | 261 |
| AOA and State Society Membership | 261 |
| Appointment of Members of the Honor Code Council | 261 |
| Appointment of VCOM Student Ambassadors and Other Admissions Volunteer Opportunities | 262 |
| Student Appointment to College Committees | 262 |
| Student Officer Positions | 262 |
| Student Organizations | 263 |
| Expressing Concerns, Grievances, and Resolution Procedures | 267 |
| Academic Concerns | 267 |
| Non-Academic Concerns | 268 |
| Discrimination Grievances | 269 |
| Appeal | 271 |
| Complaints Regarding Non-Compliance with American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Accreditation Standards | 272 |
| Complaints by Students Regarding Non-Compliance with State Commission on Higher Education Standards | 273 |
| South Carolina Commission on Higher Education | 274 |
| State Council of Higher Education for Virginia | 274 |
| University of North Carolina Board of Governors | 274 |
| Formal Federal Agency Grievance Procedures | 275 |
| GI BILL® Feedback System | 275 |
| Safety Mission | 277 |
| Building and Grounds Etiquette | 277 |
| Campus Safety and Access | 277 |
| Fire Safety | 278 |
| Cell Phones, Beepers, iPads and Computer Usage | 279 |
| Classrooms | 279 |
| Clery Crime Statistics Report and Clery Annual Safety Report | 279 |
| Email | 280 |
| Firearms and Weapons | 280 |
| Food Services | 280 |
| Housing | 280 |
| Inclement Weather and Emergency Notifications | 280 |
| Lockers | 281 |
| Parking Lots | 281 |
| Pets | 281 |
| Photocopying and Printing | 281 |
| Posting of Notices | 282 |
| Telephones | 282 |