University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine - UNTHSC-TCOM

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

General Information

The University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM) is a state-supported osteopathic medical school committed to education, research, patient care, and service. UNTHSC/TCOM graduates one of the highest percentages of primary care physicians in the nation, and has received recognition both locally and nationally for its efforts to meet the needs of underserved populations.
  • UNTHSC-TCOM's white coat ceremony
  • UNTHSC-TCOM campus sign
  • UNTHSC-TCOM students smiling for the camera

Mission Statement

Create solutions for a healthier community by preparing tomorrow’s patient-centered physicians and scientists and advancing the continuum of medical knowledge, discovery, and osteopathic health care.
Facilities

Closest City Fort Worth, Texas (population: 909,505); Suburban

Campus Setting

Suburban

Facilities

The University of North Texas Health Science Center campus is located on 33 acres outside downtown Fort Worth in the city’s cultural district. The campus is surrounded by some of the nation’s more prestigious art galleries and museums, as well as a number of residential areas.

The Medical Education and Training (MET) Building is home for most class sessions during the pre-clinical portion of the curriculum; the building contains two 250-seat lecture halls, OMM training space, small classrooms, and meeting rooms. In addition to the MET Building, students have 24-hour access to the gross anatomy lab located on campus.

The Gibson D. Lewis Library offers a variety of group and quiet study spaces across three floors of a free-standing building with all floors available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.  The library collection includes over 25,000 electronic journals, 28,000 print and electronic books, and 162 searchable databases.  All electronic resources are available at anytime from anywhere in the world via the library web site.

In 2022, a new 15,000 state-of-the-art simulation center with artificial intelligence and virtual reality resources opened.  The center has virtual reality rooms, a procedural skills training space, exam rooms, and learning lounges. 

Student Residence Options

Most students live in nearby residential areas which include houses, apartments or town-homes. There are a number of housing options available within a short commute to the campus. A housing fair is offered each year on campus prior to matriculation.
Student Activities & Support Services

There are approximately 100 student organizations on the HSC campus. They represent a wide range of social, professional, and service interests. A number of student groups promote interprofessional collaboration with students from other academic programs.

In addition to activities on campus, TCOM students engage in a number of community service opportunities both in the area and in underserved areas of the state.

  • Students actively engage in the local community through Homeless Outreach through Medical Education (HOME) which is student run clinic for the homeless community in Fort Worth.
  • The Rural Scholars program facilitates two service mission trips.
  • For the second straight year, the Latino Medical Student Association was named Southwest Regional Chapter of the Year for their outreach programs.
  • For the past two years, TCOM has partnered with Black Men in White Coats to host a Youth Summit on campus for elementary and middle school students.
  • TCOM has also held a summer outreach program called Latinos En Medicina which exposes area K-12 students to the health concerns related to the Latino community and opportunities for a career in health care.
Accreditation & Affiliation

COM Accreditation Status UNTHSC/TCOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

University Affiliation(s) University of North Texas System

Student Demographics
  • 2023-2024

Academic Year Enrollment

Total Medical School Enrollment

939

Total Male

395

Total Female

544

Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions

2,344

First-Year Matriculants

231

First-Year Male Matriculants

97

First-Year Female Matriculants

134

Matriculants In-State

215

Matriculants Out-of-State

16

Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Asian

31%

Black/African American

4%

Hispanic/Latino

14%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

White

45%

Multiple Races

3%

Undisclosed

3%

Majors of First-Year Matriculants

Science Majors

70%

Non-Science Majors

30%

Graduate Degrees

21%

UNTHSC-TCOM seal

Overview

Public Institution

Non-Profit

University of North Texas System

Institutional Affiliation

1970

Year Founded

Suburban

Campus Setting

Campus Contact

University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine - UNTHSC-TCOM

3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137

Address

(817) 735-2000

Phone

Admissions Office

(817) 735-2003

Phone

Social Media

Curricular Offerings

The pre-clinical curriculum (Years 1 and 2) includes systems-based courses along with parallel delivery of medical practice and professional identity and health system practice courses. The systems-based courses are delivered via a “two-pass” approach where the first pass focuses on normal structure and function of various body systems and the second pass addresses diseases organized by patient presentation. 

  • The Medical Practice courses allow students to learn and apply essential skills including communication, interviewing, physical exam, osteopathic manipulative medicine, documentation of clinical encounters, oral presentations, point-of-care ultrasound, and other procedural skills.
      
  • The Professional Identity and Health Systems Practice courses develop learner’s competencies in communication, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice to help TCOM graduates change the way healthcare is delivered.

After successful completion of the pre-clinical curriculum, students continue with the clinical phase (years 3 and 4). During the clinical phase students complete multiple core rotations, required rotations, electives, a patient safety course, and professional identity and health system practice courses.  Students are provided an opportunity to further develop and demonstrate competency in medical knowledge, patient care, communication, professionalism, practice-based learning, systems-based practice, and osteopathic principles and practice/osteopathic manipulative treatment in a wide variety of clinical specialties and environments.

Preparatory Programs

Preparatory/Postbaccalaureate Programs Offered

School of Biomedical Sciences Master of Medical Sciences Program
A one-year Master of Science Degree program offered by the School of Biomedical Sciences. The program features basic science courses in biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, histology, anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. The program also has a MCAT prep course.

Special Programs

Rural Osteopathic Medical Education (ROME) Curriculum
TCOM offers a specific rural medicine curriculum for those who have an interest in pursuing a medical career in a rural community. The rural program requires additional course work and clinical skills that will be beneficial for rural physicians.

Summer Research Fellowship
TCOM students have the opportunity to conduct research during the summer after year one of the curriculum. Students are work with a member of the faculty to develop their research project. A number of students who have an interest in pediatrics can complete their research at nearby Cook Children’s Medical Center, which hosts a number of student research opportunities.

Honors Research Course
A select number of TCOM students are invited to enroll in a research honors course during their second year of study. The course provides enhanced training in research at the UNT Health Science Center

Advisory College Program
TCOM students are assigned into one of six advisory colleges on campus. The advisory colleges provide a student and faculty mentoring network promoting wellness and professional development. The advisory colleges participate in a number of curricular and co-curricular activities throughout the year.

Patient Safety Training
As part of the Professional Identity and Health Systems Practice Course, students complete training on patient safety. This course is a part of the third year and focuses on patient safety competencies, expertise in safety science, human factors engineering, and the practice of safe care. During the course students sit for the Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) certification exam.

Hazelden Betty Ford Program
Each year, a select number of second year TCOM students are given the opportunity to complete a week long training program at the Hazelden Betty Ford Center in California. The Center is one of the leading treatment centers for alcoholism and substance abuse in the world.

 

Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs

Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs Offered

BA/DO
UNTHSC-TCOM offers a combined seven-year BA/DO degree track with the University of North Texas.

BS/DO
UNTHSC-TCOM offers a combined seven-year BS/DO degree tracks in either biology or public health with the University of North Texas at Dallas.

DO/MHA
A dual DO/Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program is offered in conjunction with the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health.  The MHA portion of the program is completed on a part-time basis over a period of five years.  Courses are online and taken concurrently with the DO degree.

DO/MPH
A dual DO/MPH is offered in conjunction with the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health. Public Health courses may be completed online while students are enrolled in the osteopathic medical school.

DO/MS
A dual DO/MS is offered in conjunction with the University of North Texas Health Science Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Students have the ability to complete their research in a number of different areas of interest.

DO/PhD
A dual DO/PhD is offered in conjunction with the University of North Texas Health Science Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. This combined program typically takes six or more years to complete. Students have the ability to complete their research in a number of different areas of interest.

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
Recommended
Biology/Zoology
Required

14 semester hours

Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required

8 semester hours

Chemistry (Organic)
Required

8 semester hours

Genetics
Recommended
Physics
Required

8 semester hours

Physiology
Recommended
Non-Science Courses
College English
Required

6 semester hours

Math/Statistics
Required

3 semester hours

Admissions

TCOM only accepts applications from the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) in Austin, Texas. Both a completed primary and secondary are required prior to any review of an application. Applicants are also required to have either a health professions advisory committee packet or three letters of recommendation submitted to TMDSAS on their behalf. A MCAT score is also required.

Each year, TCOM invites between 650-750 applicants to interview for a class size of approximately 230 seats. Notification of acceptance is done through a timeline established by the medical schools in the TMDSAS system.

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, but only in certain circumstances

UNTHSC-TCOM will only accept pass/fail grading (or institutional equivalent) for prerequisite courses taken during the Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. 

Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No

Accepts online lab coursework? Yes

Application Information

Primary Application Service: Other

Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) at www.tmdsas.com

Earliest Application Submission Date: May 1, 2024

Primary Application Deadline: November 1, 2024

Submission Timing for Best Consideration

For best consideration, applicants should submit their TMDSAS and secondary application by September 1.

First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors

Applicants must either be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents at the time of application. A minimum of three years of college (90 semester hours or the equivalent number of quarter hours) from a regionally accredited 

U.S. college or university (or Canadian equivalent) is required. Strong preference will be given to applicants who earn a bachelor’s degree before matriculation. In addition, applicants must complete prerequisite courses in English, statistics, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics. A score of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required.

TCOM uses a holistic review process to recruit and enroll a perse class of highly qualified applicants for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree. Applicants are evaluated on their academic qualifications, personal development, pre-professional activities, and life experiences and how it relates to a career in osteopathic medicine.  

As a matter of policy, TCOM does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age or disabilities, and religion in its application and admission processes. As a state-supported medical school, TCOM is required to fill 90 percent of each entering class with Texas residents. The remaining 10 percent may be filled by non-residents with outstanding credentials.

International Students Accepted? Does Not Accept International Students

Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? No

Early Decision Program (EDP)

EDP Offered? Yes

Admissions EDP Available For

Both In-state and Out-of-State

EDP Application Due Date

August 1, 2024

EDP Supplemental Materials Due

August 15, 2024

EDP Applicants Notified

October 1, 2024

EDP Applications Submitted To Other

EDP applications are to be submitted through the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).

Supplemental Application

Supplemental Application Required? Yes

The secondary application is available online on the UNT Health Science Center web site.

Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: May 1, 2024

Supplemental Application Deadline: November 15, 2024

Supplemental Application Fee: $50

Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No

Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes

A limited number of fee waivers are available. Applicants must provide evidence of economic need. Applicants who wish to be considered for a fee waiver must contact the admissions office.
Acceptances/Deposit Schedule

Earliest Acceptance Date

October 15, 2024

Latest Acceptance Date

July 1, 2025

Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students

July 7, 2025

Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes

TCOM will consider one-year deferment requests if made on or before June 1. A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a seat in the next class.

Applicants are offered admission in accordance to the schedule outlined among the participating medical schools in the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service.

MCAT/GPA Information

Oldest MCAT Considered: January 1, 2020

Latest MCAT Score Accepted: December 31, 2024

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

  • Interfolio
  • Paper
  • Email

Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid

2024-2025 Academic Year

Tuition

In-State Tuition

$13,078

Out-of-State Tuition

$28,766

Fees

Annual Fees

In-State Resident Fees

$6,690

Out-of-State Resident Fees

$6,690

Health Insurance Fee

$2,868

Tuition Fees Include

Computer
Health Service
Lab
Student Activities
Student Services

Estimates, Deposits, and More

Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs

$36,694

Average Graduate Indebtedness

$119,624

Acceptance Deposit

$0

Additional Deposit

$0

Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes

Only applicants who defer their matriculation for one year have to pay a deposit. The deposit is credited to the student's account upon matriculation.

Deposit Refundable? No

No deposit required unless the applicant chooses to defer their matriculation.
Financial Aid

Financial Aid Website http://www.unthsc.edu/financial-aid/

Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 67%

Scholarships Offered? Yes

Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $6,674 / $1,981 (Query from AACOM: what do these two figures mean?)