Return to: College of Osteopathic Medicine
Curriculum Philosophy
The Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) DO program curriculum aims to advance the mission of the University in preparing graduates to be highly competent, caring and compassionate osteopathic physicians.
The DO program has an integrated, interdisciplinary systems-based comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes patient care, utilizes active learning techniques and cultivates the competencies and professional skills necessary for becoming a member of an interprofessional healthcare team.
The first year begins with focus on normal structure and function of organ systems. Later in the year, focus shifts to abnormal structure and function and students are trained to complete focused history and physical exams. Additionally, patient cases are utilized for students to be able to develop a differential diagnosis, understand disease mechanisms, and construct treatment and patient care plans. The DO program curriculum utilizes simulated patient experiences, manikin-based simulations and other simulated encounters to assess the clinical competencies and osteopathic skills of students, so they meet the expectations of core clinical rotations and electives in the third and fourth years.
The curricular goal by the end of year two is to engender in our students the general ability to think diagnostically at a level appropriate for entry to clerkship rotations.
Academic years three and four of the DO program curriculum focus on patient care through clinical clerkship learning opportunities. Throughout the clinical clerkship years, learners develop excellence in all aspects of physician tasks (explain, diagnose, treatment, management, communication, professionalism, and prevention).
The overarching curricular goal across all four years of the COM curriculum is that each graduate has the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully complete residency and become a fully trained osteopathic physician.
Competencies & Student Outcomes
The DO program curriculum was designed to ensure graduates are able to demonstrate specific skills. The University has identified select educational objectives that serve as the foundation of the curriculum. At a minimum, a graduate must be able to:
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of osteopathic philosophy and practice and osteopathic manipulative medicine.
- Demonstrate medical knowledge through one or more of the following: passing of course tests; standardized tests of the NBOME; post-core clerkship tests; research activities; presentations; participation in directed reading programs or journal clubs; or other evidence-based medical activities.
- Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills with patients and other health care professionals.
- Demonstrate knowledge of professional, ethical and legal practice management and public health issues applicable to medical practice.
- Demonstrate basic support skills as assessed by nationally standardized evaluations.
In addition, the DO program curriculum prepares students for graduate medical education. Graduates meet the following minimum competencies:
Competency 1: Osteopathic Philosophy and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Graduates are expected to demonstrate and apply knowledge of accepted standards in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). The education goal is to train a skilled and competent osteopathic practitioner who remains dedicated to lifelong learning and to practice habits consistent with osteopathic principles and practices.
Competency 2: Medical Knowledge
Graduates are expected to demonstrate and apply knowledge of accepted standards of clinical medicine in their respective specialty area, remain current with new developments in medicine, and participate in lifelong learning activities, including research.
Competency 3: Patient Care
Graduates must demonstrate the ability to effectively treat patients, provide medical care that incorporates osteopathic principles and practices, empathy, awareness of behavioral issues, preventive medicine and health promotion.
Competency 4: Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Graduates are expected to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families and other members of health care teams.
Competency 5: Professionalism
Graduates are expected to uphold the Osteopathic Oath in the conduct of their professional activities that promote advocacy of patient welfare, adherence to ethical principles, collaboration with health professionals, lifelong learning, and sensitivity to diverse patient populations. Graduates should be cognizant of their own physical and mental health in order to effectively care for patients.
Competency 6: Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
Graduates must demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate their methods of clinical practice, integrate evidence-based medicine into patient care, show an understanding of research methods, and improve patient care practices.
Competency 7: Systems-Based Practice
Graduates are expected to demonstrate an understanding of health care delivery systems, provide effective and qualitative patient care with the system, and practice cost-effective medicine.
Teaching Methods
A variety of teaching and learning methods are incorporated during the first two years. These methods include classroom lectures, laboratory exercises, small-group discussions, clinical integration sessions, computer-assisted instruction, designated student assignments, specialized workshops and the use of standardized patients and human patient simulators.
COM Academic Policies & Procedures
OMS-III & OMS-IV Related Policies
Students in their third and fourth years of the DO program must follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Clinical Education Guidelines and the Fourth Year Scheduling Guidelines. These are posted in the policy library on myKCU.
Academic Load
| Full-time |
6 or more semester credits |
| Half-time |
3 - 5.5 semester credits |
| Part-time |
Less than 3 semester credits |
Academic Program Length Restrictions
COM students must graduate within six years of the date of matriculation unless required by law, judicial order, or to facilitate compliance with applicable laws or legally binding agreements.
Attendance Policy
See Student Handbook.
Academic Standing
KCU-COM students are considered to be in good academic standing when they meet the minimum criteria for continued enrollment.
Academic Warning
Academic warning is a state of warning from KCU to the student indicating that the University is concerned about the student’s academic performance. This status is typically applied when one of more of the following occur:
- Multiple course exam failures
- Overall percentage grade is less than 77 percent
- Behavioral cues by the student which may indicate academic or personal distress.
Students placed on academic warning may be required to take actions deemed necessary to help improve performance. These actions may include but are not limited to: regular meetings with KCU support personnel, required course attendance, meetings with tutors and/or faculty members, temporary loss of student leadership privileges, and providing frequent status updates to key faculty/administrators.
Academic warning is not tied to a student’s SAP, as defined by Title IV. It is wholly separate and unrelated to SAP.
Academic Probation
Academic probation is an official status from the University stating that the student is under the most sensitive academic monitoring for the period of time they are on probation. This status becomes a part of the student’s academic record. Academic probation is typically applied when one of more of the following occur:
- One or more course failures
- Failure of a national board examination
KCU-COM students placed on academic probation may have their status monitored by a University faculty or staff member. Students probationary period includes the semester in which the most recent academic failure occurred and the subsequent semester. Students on academic probation may be suspended from participating in dual degree programs or specialty tracks and may be administratively withdrawn. Academic probation may include the suspension of the student’s normal rights to participate in extracurricular, co-curricular, and other nonacademic activities, including but not limited to the student participating in organizations and serving in leadership positions.
Academic probation may also result in suspension or termination of the student’s employment with the University. Students placed on academic probation are strongly encouraged to seek advanced guidance from a director of COM Student Success prior to registering to take any national board exam (COMLEX-USA or USMLE).
A student on academic probation who fails any other course, section, clerkship, shelf exam, COMAT and/or COMLEX-USA examination, may be referred to SPC, and may be at risk of dismissal from the University.
Academic probation status is not tied to a student’s SAP, as defined by Title IV. It is wholly separate and unrelated to SAP.
KCU Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)/Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
KCU-COM students are required to complete both the American Heart Association’s Healthcare Provider Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS/CPR) and the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
BCLS is completed during the second year of medical school and is offered to students one time free of charge. COM will assist with arrangements. This course includes lectures and hands-on techniques in adult, child, and infant basic life support and obstructive airway techniques. Successful completion is required for advancement to second-year studies.
ACLS is completed during the second year of medical school following BCLS certification and prior to clinical clerkships. COM staff will assist with arrangements and provide one time without cost to KCU-COM students.
Students are required to be BCLS and ACLS certified prior to beginning the third year. The certifications are valid for two years and must be recertified after that period. Students should consult with residency programs regarding recertification after graduation.
BCLS and ACLS are taught according to the guidelines and standards set by the American Heart Association. Students are awarded BCLS and ACLS cards/certificates after the successful completion of each course. The cards are neither indicative of, nor do they confer, the right to practice medicine.
KCU-COM Student Assessments and Grades
Testing Policy
Students who are authorized for special accommodations will report to the Office of Exam Services and Analytics (OESA). Accommodation conditions, as appropriate, may include alteration of the length of exam time, testing location (room number), or other accommodations. Students in need of special accommodations should complete the Student Request for Accommodation Form, which is available on the Student Disability Services & Resources page on myKCU.
To avoid disruption of exam/quiz conditions, students will not be allowed to enter the room after the scheduled start time. Students are not permitted to begin writing on any materials until the start of the exam. No students are allowed to leave the room until 15 minutes have elapsed from the scheduled start of a written exam. If a student arrives after the start of testing, he/she must submit an excused absence request in order to take the exam at a later date and time. A student with an unexcused absence will not be permitted to make-up the quiz/exam and will receive a zero.
While taking exams students should have in their possession only items that are necessary for the exam. No food is allowed during testing. All purses, backpacks, additional electronic devices, hats, sunglasses, unnecessary clothing items, headphones, calculators, cell phones, wrist wear of any kind, etc., must be left outside the testing area. Recording or communication devices of any type are not allowed at any time in the testing environment. Any exceptions to these items (e.g., medical bracelet, medical equipment) may be requested as an accommodation through the Student Accommodation request in Workday. Academic integrity, honesty, and personal conduct guidelines will be strictly enforced.
Any student found in possession of any type of electronic device capable of accessing the internet in any testing environment (iPad, PC, or Laptop used for testing are the sole exceptions) will be awarded an automatic failure of the exam in question. KCU is unable to ascertain intent behind possession of any electronic device in a testing situation and, any student found in possession of such devices will be considered academically dishonest. Students will be referred to the senior vice provost for Student Success and director of Student Success for breach of professional conduct.
Any student flagged or otherwise found to be engaged in any suspicious or unusual behavior in any testing environment, including but not limited to leaving the view of the camera and/or the testing area, making efforts to avoid the camera, engaging in side conversations, accessing textbooks or previously prepared notes, will be referred to the director of Student Success for review. KCU is unable to ascertain intent behind a student’s suspicious behavior in a testing situation and may be considered to be academically dishonest. Students will be referred to the senior vice provost for Student Success and director of Student Success for breach of professional conduct.
Review of Examinations
Immediately following completion of a written exam KCU-COM students will have the opportunity to review the exam in a secure and proctored environment. Students are expected to follow university policies and guidelines. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a zero (0) score for that exam and referral to the senior vice provost for Student Success for breach of professional conduct.
Grades
The academic grade system for KCU-COM students is as follows:
| Grade |
Definition |
| P |
Pass |
| F |
Fail |
| H |
Honors (Top 10%) |
| F/P |
Pass upon remediation |
| F/F |
Remediation failure |
| IP |
In-Progress*
|
| I |
Incomplete |
| W |
Withdrawal |
*In-Progress (IP) grades are reserved only for those instances when students are unable to complete a course by the established deadline due to an instructor or administrative challenge (e.g., the instructor is hospitalized and several class meetings must be rescheduled, University closes during finals week due to inclement weather).
Incomplete Grades
A course or clerkship director may assign a grade of “I” if they believe that a student has been unable to complete the module/course due to extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control. An Incomplete Grade Contract should clearly detail the requirements for completion of the course/section. The incomplete grade contract form is available on the Registrar page of the intranet.
The student’s signature is not required for the Incomplete Grade Contract to be valid. In the event an “I” grade is being assigned, the assistant/associate dean for COM Student Success/Clinical Education must be notified before the contract is presented to the student. The student will have three business days to decline the incomplete grade and receive the current earned grade with all missing assignments calculated as a zero. The COM will send the finalized, completed contract to the Office of the Registrar.
Any student receiving a grade of “I” must coordinate with the COM Student Success/Clinical Education department in conjunction with the COM Gradebook coordinator to satisfy all outstanding coursework for the module or course. Once outstanding requirements are satisfied, the COM will initiate the grade change process via Workday to convert the “I” to the corresponding grade. The grade change must be submitted prior to the first day of classes of the next academic semester. Once this deadline has passed, the “I” becomes an “F”. Once converted to an “F”, this grade cannot be subsequently changed due to coursework completion.
Should a student decide to withdraw from the program or if she/he is otherwise separated from the University prior to completing coursework for an incomplete grade, the grade will be updated to reflect a failure (F).
A degree cannot be awarded to a student with an incomplete grade on his/her record.
Grade Changes/Corrections
Under the following conditions, a grade change may be initiated: an error occurred in calculating or documenting a grade (subject to the grade appeal policy), a course has been successfully remediated, or all requirements of an Incomplete Grade Contract have been satisfied. The COM will submit a grade change request to the Office of the Registrar via Workday to process the grade change.
Course Grade Appeal Process
See Student Handbook.
Course and Clerkship Failure & Remediation Policies
Course Remediation
The KCU-COM Remediation Policy, OMS I and OMS II is posted to the myKCU policy library.
Clerkship Failure and Remediation
The KCU-COM third and fourth year student remediation policy is located under Clerkship Grade Determination in the Clinical Education Guidelines, posted to the myKCU policy library.
COM Academic Year Repeat Policy
Should a KCU-COM student fail two courses/clerkships/remediations in a single academic year, the student will be suspended from KCU with no option for appeal. The student is required to meet with the senior vice provost for Student Success and may be granted permission to repeat the academic year. If permitted to repeat the academic year, the student must repeat all courses in that academic year regardless of prior performance and must pay tuition and fees for the repeated year.
All course enrollments and earned grades will remain on the student’s academic transcript. The opportunity to repeat is not available if the course is subsequently inactivated.
The student is allowed no more than two attempts to successfully complete a COM program year (e.g., first-year, second-year). Students who repeat an academic year must still complete their degree within six years of matriculation.
All course enrollments and earned grades will remain on the student’s academic transcript. For repeated coursework in the COM program, the student’s most recent grade earned is used in the calculation of the student’s overall percentage grade. Grades for repeated courses are recorded in brackets on the academic transcript.
If the returning student fails any course after returning from academic suspension, the student will be referred to the COM-SPC for review. If a student is unable to successfully complete the entire repeat year, the student will be dismissed from the University.
Eligibility for Continued Enrollment
Students must abide by the University’s policies, rules and regulations and fulfill legal or financial obligations to the University. Students must also demonstrate professional promise including meeting the technical standards commensurate with the expected DO degree.
Promotion to OMS-II & OMS-III
Satisfactory completion (passing grades) of:
- All courses.
- Clinical and Osteopathic Skills Assessment Examinations.
- Score 1 and other Early Clinical Experiences
- Successful completion of all pre-clinical training requirements such as immunizations, orientations, proof of insurance, and others as specified.
- All assigned end of term and/or end of year comprehensive examinations
- *Promotion of OMS-III requires completion of COMLEX Level 1 (first attempt)
Promotion to OMS-IV
Satisfactory completion (passing grades) of:
- All required longitudinal courses.
- All required third-year clerkships.
- All required COMAT exams.
- Course and instructor evaluations for each third-year clerkship.
- *Promotion to OMS-IV requires completion of COMLEX Level 2 (first attempt)
DO Program Class Rank Honors and Distinctions
Overall Percentage Grade
Grading for the Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program is pass/fail. However, students retain the percentage score earned within courses required for the DO Curriculum. The final percent score used to determine course outcome (P/F) is used to calculate the student’s cumulative overall percentage grade (OPG) which is weighted by course credit hour. Any course that awards a final course grade based entirely on P/F completion of required activities within the course will not be included in the student’s OPG. Elective, fellowship, and honors track courses are not included in a student’s overall percentage grade calculation. Students that fail a course and pass remediation processes will have their overall percentage grade for the course revised to a maximum of 70% and this value is included in calculations of student’s OPG and quartile rank.
The OPG is used to determine quartile class rank. Additionally, the OPG is used to determine eligibility for dual-degree programs, honors tracks, student government, club leadership, and honors distinctions.
Pre-clinical Class Rank
The COM uses OPG to determine student Pre-clinical Class Rank using a quartile system following completion of all courses required prior to OMS 3. The first quartile represents the top 25% of the class. Pre-clinical Class Rank is calculated and reported at the conclusion of each preclinical academic year. The class quartile rank at the conclusion of the second year is reported in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) for the 1st and 2nd quartile recipients.
| 1st Quartile |
Upper 25% |
| 2nd Quartile |
>25% to <50% |
| 3rd Quartile |
50% to 75% |
| 4th Quartile |
Lower 25% |
Clinical Class Rank
Clinical Class Rank (CCR) is based on individual student scores for all seven core NBOME COMAT subject exams when completed during an academic year. This includes the OPP COMAT. No other Exams are used in the CCR calculation.
The CCR is only displayed on the student’s MSPE letter if the student is ranked in the top 50% of the class. It is never displayed on the academic transcript.
Dean’s List
Dean’s list is awarded at the conclusion of each fall and spring term.
The Dean’s List is comprised of the top 10 percent of each first and second-year class each semester and the top 10 percent of the third-year class for the totality of the third year. The calculations are based on the average of percentages earned in each course, and are weighted by credit hour. The Dean’s List distinction is recognized on the official transcripts:
OMS-I: Fall and spring. OMS-II: Fall and spring. OMS-III: End of third year.
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), formerly the Dean’s Letter, is an important document designed to assist students in obtaining admission to postgraduate programs, specifically internships and residencies. KCU-COM students are advised to review and understand the purpose and policies outlined in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation Policy and Procedure document, maintained by the executive dean of the COM. The MSPE policy can be found within the myKCU policy library.
National Licensure Examinations
KCU COM students are required to pass the NBOME COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2-CE in order to graduate. Scheduling of all COMLEX-USA exams must take into consideration NBOME guidelines and requirements as outlined by KCU-COM. Refer to the Clinical Education Guidelines for COMLEX scheduling policies, located on myKCU.