Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine - KCU-COM
General Information
Kansas City University, KCU, welcomed its first students in 1916, which makes us one of the nation’s founding colleges of osteopathic medicine. We are a private university comprised of a College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Biosciences and College of Dental Medicine.
Kansas City has been home to KCU for more than 100 years. Now, KCU is proud to call Joplin, Missouri a second home. We are continually renewing our commitment to research and our communities. Our faculty are esteemed healers and educators who care deeply about your in-class and out-of-class learning. Because of this, our students consistently place at prestigious residencies and perform among the nation’s highest on national board examinations.
Additional Locations
Additional Locations offer the same programs as the main campus. Use the main campus' application to apply to additional locations.
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Joplin Campus - KCUCOM-Joplin
Affiliation
Address
Campus Setting
Website https://www.kansascity.edu/
Phone
Mission Statement
Closest City Kansas City, MO – Urban setting; Joplin, MO – Rural setting
Campus Setting
UrbanFacilities
The Kansas City campus provides modern facilities to promote student success. Notable buildings include:
- The newly-remodeled Administration Building includes the Walker Family Welcome Center, a new boardroom and 11 departments. The century-old facility is notable for incorporating it’s vibrant past with it’s promising future.
- The Academic Center provides additional classroom space to the campus with two lecture halls: one seats 300-plus and the other seats 400-plus. It also provides for additional breakout rooms for smaller study groups.
- The Student Activities Center provides a centralized gathering place and work spaces for students, including an expansive fitness center, full-service coffee shop, bookstore, and more.
- The D’Angelo Library provides a beautiful and spacious area for students, staff and faculty to meet and learn. It features designated study rooms for individual or group sessions, conference room, computer lab, and Special Collections Room.
- Leonard Smith Hall offers space for the university’s tutoring programs, individual and small group study rooms, a computer lab, and a student study lounge.
- The Dybedal Center for Research is the epicenter of research activities at KCU. Equipped for Biosafety Levels I and II research, the Dybedal Center includes more than 20,000 square feet of basic science laboratories.
- The Center for Medical Education Innovation (CMEI) offers the latest in high-tech education. This one-of-a-kind teaching facility allows students to learn by doing through the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology.
Joplin Campus
The KCU built the Joplin campus in 2017 with the goal of promoting active and hands-on clinical experiences. Features include:
- The 200-seat McCune-Brooks Healthcare Foundation Lecture Hall
- The Humphrey’s Family Learning Studio, which functions as a collaborative space
- The Freeman Health System Simulation Lab comprised of four complete patient simulation suites equipped with high-fidelity medical manikins simulation exercises
- The Empire District Electric Company Standardized Patient Lab that incorporates individuals trained to portray realistic patient presentations for students to practice clinical skills
- The Dr. Richard Sr. and Yamana Sue Joseph Anatomy Lab comprised of 21 examination tables
- The Dawson Heritage Foundation Library
- The College of Dental Medicine
Student Residence Options
Resources are available to ensure every student is successful at KCU. Such services include free tutors, counseling, career counseling, learning coaches...just to name a few. In addition, student organizations give members have the opportunity to network, attend national conventions, promote the medical profession and participate in special clinical experiences
A full list of all the Student and Support Services can be found at:
COM Accreditation Status KCU-College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
University Affiliation(s) Kansas City University – Kansas City Campus & Joplin Campus
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2023-2024
Academic Year Enrollment
Total Medical School Enrollment
1,756
Total Male
870
Total Female
886
Total Other
0
Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions
2,048
First-Year Matriculants
427
First-Year Male Matriculants
195
First-Year Female Matriculants
232
Matriculants In-State
46
Matriculants Out-of-State
381
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.2%
Asian
28.8%
Black/African American
3.7%
Hispanic/Latino
3.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.0%
White
49.9%
Multiple Races
4.4%
Undisclosed
3.0%
Majors of First-Year Matriculants
Science Majors
90.1%
Non-Science Majors
9.9%
Graduate Degrees
11.9%
Overview
Private Institution
Non-Profit
Kansas City University – Kansas City Campus & Joplin Campus
Institutional Affiliation
1916
Year Founded
Urban
Campus Setting
Campus Contact
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine - KCU-COM
Address
(800) 234-4847
Phone
Website
Admissions Office
Curricular Offerings
- Beginning with students’ first days on campus, KCU-COM puts the patient at the center of the learning process. Our innovative curriculum integrates clinical relevance with a solid foundation in the basic sciences.
- Through an emphasis on the importance of the physician-patient relationship, students take part in hands-on early clinical experiences that prepare them to become more effective physicians.
- Clinical enhancements, such as patient simulators and standardized patient encounters, teach vital communication skills.
Preparatory/Postbaccalaureate Programs Offered
KCU offers a one-year accelerated and a two-year research track in our biomedical sciences MS program. There is no bridge between the Masters Programs and COM, but an interview may be granted to enrolled students who meet certain criteria.
Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs Offered
DO/MA Dual Degree DO/MA in Bioethics
DO/MBA
Dual Degree DO/MBA in Health Care Leadership
DO/MPH
Dual Degree DO/MA in Public Health
Premedical Coursework
Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Anatomy
Recommended4 semester hours (9 quarter hours)
Biochemistry
Required3 semester hours (4.5 quarter hours)
Cell/Molecular Biology
Recommended4 semester hours
Chemistry (Inorganic)
Recommended8 semester hours
Chemistry (Organic)
Recommended8 semester hours
Genetics
Recommended3 semester hours
Immunology
Recommended3 semester hours
Physics
Required8 semester hours (12 quarter hours)
Physiology
Recommended4 semester hours
Additional Science Courses
- Biological Sciences, 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours)
- Chemistry, 13 semester hours (19.5 quarter hours)
College English
Required3 semester hours (4.5 quarter hours)
Admissions
KCU-COM attracts the best and brightest students each year. Each admitted COM student reflects the diversity of accomplishments, talents, interests and background valued by KCU. They also demonstrate academic excellence. A bachelor’s degree and the MCAT are required for admission. The admissions team evaluates applicants on a number of criteria, ranging from academic records and test scores to commitment toward osteopathic medicine, service, and leadership.
Interview Options: Option to interview virtually or in-person
Physician letter required? MD or DO
Virtual Shadowing Options? Will accept EITHER virtual or in-person shadowing
Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements? Yes
Accepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? Yes, but only in certain circumstances
Pass/fail grades are only accepted for pre-requisite coursework taken during the pandemic. Approved courses must have been taken in Spring 2020, Summer 2020 or Fall 2020 semesters.Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No
Accepts online lab coursework? Yes
Primary Application Service: AACOMAS
Earliest Application Submission Date: May 6, 2024
Primary Application Deadline: December 15, 2024
Submission Timing for Best Consideration
First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors
International Students Accepted? Accepts International Students
International applicants are encouraged to review requirements on our website: https://www.kansascity.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/international-students . Students who are in pending status for permanent residency are not eligible for admissions to KCU.Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? Yes
Please reach out to Admissions, Admissions@kansascity.edu, for more information.Application Interview Format: Multi-Mini Interviews (MMI)
Early Decision Program (EDP)
EDP Offered? No
EDP Applications Submitted To AACOMAS
Supplemental Application
Supplemental Application Required? Yes
KCU requires two letters of recommendation, one from a Pre-med committee/advisor and the other from a Physician (DO or MD). While a letter from a pre-med committee/advisor is preferred, a letter from a science faculty member may be substituted.Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: June 1, 2024
Supplemental Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants
KCU reviews each applicant holistically and considers academic success, clinical exposure, research experience, leadership skills and community involvement when evaluating candidates for a secondary application.Supplemental Application Fee: $60, non-refundable
Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes
If applicant has received a waiver from the AACOMAS application, KCU may waive the $60 supplemental application fee.Earliest Acceptance Date
September 1, 2024
Latest Acceptance Date
April 1, 2025
Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students
July 15, 2025
Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes
Deferment requests can be emailed to the admissions office and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.Acceptance/deposit deadlines conform to the AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines Schedule? Yes
Osteopathic Medical College (COM) applicants may be asked to submit necessary matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS traffic guideline schedule:
- Those accepted prior to November 15 to have until December 14.
- Those accepted between November 15 and January 14 to have 30 days
- Those accepted between January 15 and April 30 to have 14 days.
- Those accepted on or after May 1 may be asked by the accepting COM for an immediate deposit.
- After May 1 of the year of matriculation, each COM has the discretion to implement COM-specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other COMs.
Mean MCAT Score
504.8
Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score
3.66
Oldest MCAT Considered: May 1, 2022
Latest MCAT Score Accepted: February 1, 2025
Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation
- AACOMAS
- Interfolio
- Paper
Main Admissions Contact
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
2024-2025 Academic Year
In-State Tuition
$55,854
Out-of-State Tuition
$55,854
Annual Fees
In-State Resident Fees
$4,126
Out-of-State Resident Fees
$4,126
Health Insurance Fee
$3,500
Tuition Fees Include
Estimates, Deposits, and More
Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs
$33,000
Average Graduate Indebtedness
$263,142
Acceptance Deposit
$1,500, non-refundable
Additional Deposit
$1,500, non-refundable
Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes
Deposit Refundable? No
Financial Aid Website https://www.kansascity.edu/admissions/financial-aid/tuition
Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 75%
Scholarships Offered? Yes
Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $10,000