Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) is one of the nation’s oldest osteopathic medical institutions and a multidisciplinary, multi-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 2004, located in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia (Suwanee, Gwinnett County).

The College offers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and joint DO/MBA, DO/MPH, DO/PhD, DO/MS, and DO/MSc degrees, as well as graduate degree programs in Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology, School Psychology, Organizational Development and Leadership, Physician Assistant Studies, Forensic Medicine, Aging and Long-Term Care Administration, Pharmacy, and Public Health Management and Administration. Integral to all programs is the strong osteopathic tradition upon which the College was founded—an approach that teaches to practice a whole-person approach—to treat people, not just symptoms.

Although the College is solidly focused on teaching, research is also an important component of the institution’s mission; in fact, the College houses a Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging for collaborative research. Integral, too, is the institution’s commitment to community service. This is exemplified in the College’s establishment of five affiliated Healthcare Centers that serve the medical needs of urban and rural Pennsylvania communities.

Student life at PCOM
PCOM and GA-PCOM campuses are noted for their spirit of collegiality and camaraderie rather than competitiveness. There is a warm family atmosphere that 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 60 chapter and national organizations, academic-interest groups, athletic teams, charitable groups, and clubs offer social activities and leadership opportunities. Those who embrace the College’s osteopathic philosophy are often drawn to service; PCOM and GA-PCOM students actively participate in blood drives, fundraising events, medical mission trips, and free health screenings in community locations and PCOM Healthcare Centers.

Graduate programs at PCOM
Biomedical Sciences (MS)
The Biomedical Sciences program provides an opportunity to pursue graduate study in the biomedical sciences (with strong emphasis on human medicine and clinical applications) as additional preparation for professional or PhD study or to achieve an advanced biomedical knowledge base for science careers and/or teaching.

Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
The American Psychological Association–accredited Clinical Psychology program trains practitioner-scholar psychologists to work in a broad range of clinical settings, with an emphasis on a holistic approach to interdisciplinary care and service to diverse and underserved populations. The curriculum is oriented in cognitive-behavioral theory and empirically supported treatments and addresses the most current developments in psychology while enhancing learning through practical clinical applications.

Mental Health Counseling (MS)
The Mental Health Counseling 60-credit program offers a dynamic curriculum designed to prepare counselors to provide assessment and psychotherapy services in a broad range of mental health settings. It is designed to meet the educational requirements of the licensed professional counselor in many states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology (MS)
The Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology program provides specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy and training in empirically supported treatment techniques. The 48-credit program is designed to be completed in two years by full-time students.

For both the MHC and CCHP programs, full- and part-time options are available. Most courses meet in the evenings, and a few courses meet on Saturdays. The mission of the master’s program is to prepare highly skilled, compassionate counselors to provide empirically based, culturally sensitive, and collaborative interventions. Grounded in the cognitive-behavioral tradition, this program trains practitioner-scholars to offer assessment, therapy, consultation, program evaluation, social justice advocacy, and follow-up services.

School Psychology (MS, EdS, PsyD)
The School Psychology (MS) program provides a strong foundation in school psychology with a specialization in applied behavior analysis.

The Educational Specialist (EdS) program is a practitioner-based program that prepares graduates who are uniquely capable and committed to providing high-quality, effective, ethical, and professional school psychological services in educational and mental health settings. The program is especially designed for students with a master’s degree in School Psychology or a related field who are seeking certification in the field of school psychology.

The Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology (PsyD) program, an applied professional psychology program, allows direct entry from the bachelor’s level and prepares the practitioner-scholar to be a leader in psychoeducational and mental health services for children, youth, and families. A specialty of the school psychology programs is an emphasis in cognitive behavioral therapy.

Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
PCOM’s Physician Assistant (MS) program is the only PA program in Pennsylvania housed within an osteopathic medical school. The program offers a rigorous academic and clinical medical education and provides the opportunity to study and collaborate with students from a variety of medical-related disciplines.

Forensic Medicine (Pathway, MS)
PCOM offers the only Forensic Medicine program in the Greater Philadelphia region developed and overseen by a board-certified forensic pathologist. The program focuses on the evaluation of live and deceased victims. Students learn a baseline of analytical and critical-thinking skills that will prepare them to become medical and legal death investigators.

Organizational Development and Leadership (MS, CAGS, CGS)
The Organizational Development and Leadership program uniquely combines organizational theory and individual self-discovery to provide an essential leadership perspective.

This 36-credit weekend-format program prepares one to lead dynamic change and create a positive culture in any organization.

Public Health Management and Administraton (MS, CASG, CGS)
The customized Master of Science in Public Health Management and Administration program at PCOM is designed to enhance leadership skills that are critically important in the evolving landscape of public health and is a collaboration between PCOM and the nonprofit Public Health Management Corporation.

Students are engaged in learning that focuses on leadership, administration, and the challenges and opportunities inherent in public health practice today. Graduates of the program will emerge with a better understanding of how to successfully manage change in the fast-moving arena of public health management and administration, including applied principles of innovation and styles of inquiry, data collection and use, and evidence-based practice to inform decision making. Intentionally designed as a cohort-based learning experience for the working professional, the program prepares learners to better understand organizations as dynamic systems.

Aging and Long-Term Care Administration (MS, CGS)
The Master of Science in Aging and Long-Term Care Administration (ALTCA) program at PCOM has been designed to address the need for leaders in critically important long-term care services, from home- and community-based care to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. The program elevates the professionalism and leadership of those working in or seeking to enter the field of long-term care by enhancing the knowledge and skills of those in nursing home administration positions. With the aging population, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and the increase of chronic diseases, there is a compelling need for professionals with specialized skills in long-term care administration. These leaders focus not only on institutional care but also on policy, payment, and system delivery. A key component of the ALTCA program is the Nursing Home Administration 120-hour program, which satisfies the educational requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania.