Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus

Established in 1899, PCOM is a multidisciplinary, dual-state health science educational institution. The College encompasses a main campus in Philadelphia and a branch campus, Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM), established in 2005 and located in Suwanee, just north of Atlanta.

GA-PCOM offers a variety of programs designed to educate the next generation of health care practitioners. Integral to all programs is the strong osteopathic tradition upon which the College was founded, an approach that teaches students to see the whole person within the patient.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, DO
GA-PCOM offers the only Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program in Georgia. The program features a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an ever-changing health care environment. During the four-year program, students study osteopathic principles and practice, which include a focus on compassionate, appropriate, and effective patient care.

Students receive cross-training in established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and cognate sciences and learn how to effectively communicate with patients, their families, and other health professionals. The College was among the first to adopt innovativehigh-tech patient simulators as well as to engage standardized patient actors, providing students with experiential learning opportunities reflective of actual clinical procedure and practice. Sponsored research projects promote opportunities for collaborative research. With a 100% match rate, our graduates seek careers in primary and specialty care.

Doctor of Pharmacy, PharmD
The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program provides a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop a generalist pharmacist with the right combination of skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values who is capable of practicing in many different health care environments. Students learn in state-of-the-art classrooms and teaching laboratories, including a sterile products lab, compounding lab, and simulated pharmacy practice lab. Multimedia equipment, break out rooms for team-building exercises, and a cadaver anatomy lab add to the educational experience.

During the program’s first three years, students split time between the classroom and introductory experiential learning. In the fourth year, students take part in clinical rotations, gaining exposure to multiple pharmacy specialty areas and practices. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care and preventive practices, entrusting graduates to create proactive and caring practice environments.

Doctor of Physical Therapy, DPT
GA-PCOM is in the process of developing a Physical Therapist Education program. The mission of the program is to prepare individuals who demonstrate excellence in the practice of physical therapy, emphasize a “whole person” approach to patient management, commit to the advancement of knowledge and intellectual growth, and engage in the well-being of the community.

GA-PCOM is seeking accreditation for the program from the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). An Application for Candidacy, the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, was submitted in December 2017. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status.

Biomedical Sciences, MS
The Biomedical Sciences program allows students with a passion for the life sciences, particularly its practical application in health care or research, to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue various scientific careers and professional degrees. Students receive rigorous training from faculty members who are experts in their fields within a learning environment that emphasizes medical, biotechnological, research, and clinical applications.

As a college that offers several health care–related programs, GA-PCOM provides a collaborative learning framework with exposure to multiple disciplines. Students develop a foundation in biomedical sciences, which offers a wide career path and many choices for employment in addition to opportunities to pursue advanced professional degrees in areas like Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, and many others.

Physician Assistant Studies, MS
GA-PCOM’s PA program provides a comprehensive academic and clinical medical education to prepare students for their professional roles as physician assistants. While learning to take a holistic view of health care, students are provided with the opportunity to study and collaborate with others from a variety of health care–related disciplines.

Students benefit from a small class size and a dynamic learning environment where they are able to interact with faculty members. All full-time PA program faculty are, or have been, practicing physician assistants, and thus they bring a broad range of perspectives and experience to the classroom.

Students receive extensive hands-on training—starting early in the course of their studies. Like the DO students, they work with standardized patient actors who assume the roles of patients with specific medical histories. Students train in modern medical facilities during clinical rotations and benefit from clinician-patient encounters in supervised clinical practice experiences.

Student life
GA-PCOM is noted for its spirit of collegiality and camaraderie. A warm family atmosphere inspires friendly interaction and advances academic and personal growth as well as professional and career development. Students are encouraged to participate in community service and cocurricular activities.

More than 40 chapter and national organizations, academic interest groups, and clubs offer social activities and leadership opportunities. Those who embrace the College’s osteopathic philosophy are often drawn to service; GA-PCOM students actively participate in activities such as blood drives, fundraising events, medical mission trips, and health screenings.