Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine - MU-WCOM

Overview Curricular Premedical Coursework Admissions Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid Apply Now

General Information

Located on 114 wooded acres six miles from downtown Indianapolis, Marian University is a Catholic University dedicated to excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions, with degree programs in the arts, sciences, business, education, osteopathic medicine and nursing.  

The Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana, continue to be Marian University’s sponsor. Our four core Franciscan values are:

  • Dignity of the individual
  • Peace and justice
  • Reconciliation
  • Responsible stewardship

On March 5, 2010, the Board of Trustees approved the development of the Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine. On July 24, 2010, the Marian University Bylaws were amended by the Board of Trustees to include the Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine. MU-WCOM’s inaugural class started in August 2013.

  • MU-COM student receives white coat
  • MU-COM students group photo
  • DMU-COM students on Match Day

Mission Statement

The Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-WCOM) is a Catholic medical institution built on the inspired vision and values of our Franciscan heritage, and dedicated to preparing osteopathic physicians who are committed to the complete healing of individuals’ bodies, minds, and spirits. This institution is committed to serving the people of Indiana and to developing osteopathic physicians through research, service, and teaching.

In studying the osteopathic profession, Marian University’s leadership recognized very early that there would be substantial congruence between these Franciscan values and the tenets of osteopathic medicine, which were reaffirmed by the American Osteopathic Association’s House of Delegates in July 2008:

  1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
  2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
  3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
  4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.
Facilities

Closest City Indianapolis, IN; 16th largest city in the United States

Campus Setting

Urban

Facilities

The Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine is housed with the Alan and Sue Leighton School of Nursing in the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences. The new 140,000 square foot structure is located on the southeast corner of the Marian University campus. This facility is a signature building on campus, supportive of a premier DO educational curriculum, outfitted with cutting-edge technology and showcasing environmental sustainability within the context of the historic campus.

Student Residence Options

The Overlook at Riverdale is the newest housing option for Marian University medical and graduate students. The Overlook is an on-campus apartment building that saves residents time and money while living in new apartment accommodations. Most importantly, residents of The Overlook live among classmates and interact in an academic environment, while enjoying the privacy and autonomy of a private apartment.
Student Activities & Support Services

MU-WCOM has 35+ organizations and leadership opportunities. For more information visit please visit our website. https://www.marian.edu/campus-life/student-activities/student-organizations/current-student-organizations.php

https://connect.marian.edu/organizations

 
Accreditation & Affiliation

COM Accreditation Status MU-WCOM just completed a comprehensive site visit in early 2024.

We are currently awaiting official documentation from the COCA to indicate the length of our next accreditation window, including when our next formal site visit will take place. 
Student Demographics
  • 2023-2024

Academic Year Enrollment

Total Medical School Enrollment

626

Total Male

273

Total Female

350

Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions

3,879

First-Year Matriculants

154

First-Year Male Matriculants

59

First-Year Female Matriculants

94

First-Year Other Matriculants

1

Matriculants In-State

109

Matriculants Out-of-State

45

Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.0%

Asian

22.1%

Black/African American

3.2%

Hispanic/Latino

8.4%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.0%

White

62.3%

Multiple Races

2.6%

Undisclosed

0.6%

Majors of First-Year Matriculants

Science Majors

92.1%

Non-Science Majors

7.9%

Graduate Degrees

13.6%

Marian University logo

Overview

Private Institution

Non-Profit

2010

Year Founded

Urban

Campus Setting

Campus Contact

Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine - MU-WCOM

3200 Cold Spring Road, Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences, Indianapolis, Indiana 46222

Address

(317) 955-6786

Phone

Admissions Office

Curricular Offerings

MU-WCOM’s goal is to create a quality professional education program emphasizing osteopathic training in primary care. MU-WCOM designed a curriculum that promotes and measures student competencies with an emphasis on osteopathic clinical services and public service activities provided to diverse populations of individuals and cultures, including the underprivileged and medically underserved.

The MU-WCOM curriculum is modeled after recommendations contained in the Carnegie Report 2010. Courses are system-based, with foundational clinical cases and group study. Students are exposed to clinical experiences in years one and two. The curriculum is competency based with student assessment of learning and skills. Biomedical science has a clinical basis. MU-WCOM faculty use the 2011 National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiner (NBOME)’s Fundamental Osteopathic Medical Competencies and critical elements in creating teaching materials.

There are seven areas that make up the CORE content of the third year—family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. Family medicine, emergency medicine, and internal medicine are eight weeks and all the others are four-week rotations. Family medicine and emergency medicine have been split into a third– and a fourth–year rotation. Radiology has been included as a skill set, along with ortho/sports medicine.

In the fourth year, there are some required rotations that emphasize the primary care aspects of the curriculum. The rotations expose students to the practice of medicine outside of an urban setting. There are required rotations in rural medicine and critical access hospitals which will be linked for a total of eight weeks, and the fourth–year component to family medicine and emergency medicine as well as a Public Health rotation. For the remainder of the fourth year the student has been given the opportunity to work with faculty to develop his/her own interests with an eye toward doing interview rotations with residency programs.

Preparatory Programs

Preparatory/Postbaccalaureate Programs Offered

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree includes two tracks for students to choose from. With the one-year track, students have the opportunity to enhance their medical or professional school applications by completing graduate science courses (similar to the first year of medical school.)

With the two-year curriculum, students who wish to pursue a career in the life/biomedical sciences field or in research laboratories can gain the skills and credentials needed to do so. Courses are taught by Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-WCOM) faculty, giving students an opportunity to learn and work with professors who have shared research interests. This allows students to grow academically in an environment focused on the biomedical and life sciences.

Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs

Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs Offered

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Master in Public Health

Premedical Coursework

Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Science Courses
Anatomy
Recommended
Biochemistry
Required

3 semester hours

Biology/Zoology
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Chemistry (Organic)
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Genetics
Recommended
Immunology
Recommended
Physics
Required With Lab

8 semester hours

Physiology
Recommended
Non-Science Courses
Behavioral Sciences
Required

6 semester hours

College English
Required

6 semester hours

Admissions

Using a holistic philosophy, the admissions team will review application materials to see how an applicant's characteristics and interests align with MU-WCOM's mission. Applicants who meet our minimum academic requirements will be sent an invitation and instructions on how to complete our supplemental application. Once receiving a supplemental application and related application materials, an applicant's file is complete.

Admissions Processes

Interview Options: Virtual interviews only

Physician letter required? N/A; no physician letter required

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

Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No

Accepts online lab coursework? Yes

Application Information

Primary Application Service: AACOMAS

Earliest Application Submission Date: May 6, 2024

Primary Application Deadline: February 1, 2025

Submission Timing for Best Consideration

MU-WCOM uses a rolling admissions process. It is recommended to apply as soon as possible in the cycle.

First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors

Marian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age, or disability in the recruiting and selection of students for admission.

MU-WCOM uses a holistic admissions process, seeking to admit students who have characteristics and interests that align with our mission. There are a number of factors influencing admissions decisions including MCAT scores, science GPA, overall GPA, personal accomplishments, future career interests, and other factors which play a role in the selection process.

MU-WCOM attracts high quality students each year. Each admitted COM student reflects the diversity of accomplishments, talents, interests and backgrounds valued by MU-WCOM. They also demonstrate academic excellence. A bachelor’s degree and the MCAT are required for admission. The Admissions Committee evaluates applicants on a number of criteria, ranging from academic records and test scores to commitment toward osteopathic medicine and service.

International Students Accepted? Accepts International Students

MU-WCOM has attracted students from all over the world and will continue to enroll students from outside the United States. International applicants must meet particular conditions for admittance and enrollment including transcript evaluation, English language requirements, and financial resources documentation for MU-WCOM. Undergraduate course work taken at a foreign institution must be evaluated for United States institution equivalence. International course work must be evaluated by any one of several services designated by AACOMAS for this purpose.

Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? Yes

Application Interview Format: Traditional

Early Decision Program (EDP)

EDP Offered? Yes

Admissions EDP Available For

Both In-state and Out-of-State

EDP Application Due Date

July 15, 2024

EDP Supplemental Materials Due

August 15, 2024

EDP Applicants Notified

September 29, 2024

Supplemental Application

Supplemental Application Required? Yes

There are multiple short answer questions as well as yes/no questions. Please reach out to MU-WCOM Admissions for more information.

Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: May 25, 2024

Supplemental Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants

MCAT score of 494 or higher and a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.

Supplemental Application Fee: $100, non-refundable

Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No

Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes

If granted a fee waiver via AACOM, MU-WCOM will honor the waiver for the supplemental application. Applicants will upload a PDF of their AACOM fee waiver to the supplemental application.
Acceptances/Deposit Schedule

Earliest Acceptance Date

September 1, 2024

Latest Acceptance Date

August 5, 2025

Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students

July 28, 2025

Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes

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.
MCAT/GPA Information

Mean MCAT Score

503.5

Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score

3.69

Oldest MCAT Considered: January 1, 2022

Latest MCAT Score Accepted: January 1, 2022

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

  • AACOMAS
  • Interfolio

Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid

2024-2025 Academic Year

Tuition

In-State Tuition

$59,850

Out-of-State Tuition

$59,850

Fees

Annual Fees

In-State Resident Fees

$0

Out-of-State Resident Fees

$0

Health Insurance Fee

$0

Tuition Fees Include

Health Service
Lab
Student Activities
Student Services
Technology (not computer)

Estimates, Deposits, and More

Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs

$90,270

Average Graduate Indebtedness

$301,131

Acceptance Deposit

$750, non-refundable

Additional Deposit

$500, non-refundable

Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes

Deposit Refundable? No

Financial Aid

Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 76%

Scholarships Offered? Yes

Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $19,561