Curriculum Philosophy
The Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) curriculum aims to advance the mission of the University in preparing graduates to be highly competent, caring and compassionate osteopathic physicians.
KCU-COM has an integrated, interdisciplinary systems-based 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 student to be able to develop a differential diagnosis, understand disease mechanisms, and construct treatment and patient care plans. The COM 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 KCU-COM 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 COM 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 treatment (OMM).
- 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 COM 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 Tuition & Fees
Please see the 2023-2024 COM Tuition & Fees section for information on tuition and fees.
COM Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require schools to monitor the academic progress of Title IV financial aid recipients. KCU must certify that students are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward the completion of their KCU degree. KCU follows the regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education that students are meeting the three required measurements to determine SAP: qualitative (GPA) , quantitative (pace progression) and time frame. The policy applies to students who are receiving federal aid; however, these standards are cumulative so this includes all periods of the students enrollment, which may include times when the student did not receive federal aid. The academic standards set forth by the academic program may vary from the financial aid policy for academic progress. Review the full COM SAP policy here:
COM Academic Policies & Procedures
Registration
The COM academic calendar is divided into fall and spring semesters. KCU-COM engages in block registration for each student cohort. The student’s respective department sends enrollment information to the Office of the Registrar every term. Students are responsible for reviewing their enrollment on Workday prior to each semester to ensure they are enrolled correctly.
The last day to add a class is six business days after the published first day of classes in the Academic Calendar . The first day of classes varies by class year. This policy does not apply to clerkships or intersession courses.
COM students are required to report on the orientation or registration date as specified in the Academic Calendar . First-year COM students who fail to appear at the stated check-in time for orientation risk losing their seat unless other arrangements have been made.
Third- and fourth-year COM students must complete registration materials, including financial aid arrangements, by July 1, prior to participating in clerkships. Third- and fourth-year COM students are not required to be physically present on campus for registration.
All outstanding financial obligations to the University or University-affiliated clerkship sites must be cleared in order for a student to register. Students who are not in University compliance may not attend classes or participate in clerkships.
Academic Load
| Full-time |
6 or more semester credits |
| Half-time |
3 - 5.5 semester credits |
| Part-time |
Less than 3 semester credits |
Course Drops & Withdrawals
KCU-COM students do not have the option to drop or withdraw from individual courses. Students who need to drop or withdraw from the University must initiate that request with their college and complete the Withdraw request form on Workday.
If dropping, students must initiate the drop process on or before the sixth business day of the term in which they’re enrolled. A student who drops from the college within the prescribed time requirements will have no record of the courses on their transcript.
Students must initiate the withdrawal process on or before the withdrawal deadline. The withdrawal date for fall is the Friday before Thanksgiving. The withdrawal date for spring is the last Friday in April. Withdrawals will be reflected with a W for each course enrolled on the transcript. Students who withdraw from the college after the withdrawal date will receive a failing grade for each course enrolled. Students are not eligible for the withdrawal process for coursework that has been completed.
COM students may be enrolled in elective coursework for a dual degree program or specialty track. Students wishing to drop or withdraw from coursework that is outside of the COM lockstep program must initiate the process on or before the deadlines listed above for either process. For intersession courses, the deadline to drop the courses is prior to the first-class meeting. Students who wish to drop or withdraw a course must officially communicate their request to their department and complete their request via Workday for the Office of the Registrar within the prescribed time requirements.
Course withdrawal may have financial aid implications. Students are advised to talk with Financial Aid prior to withdrawing from a course.
Exceptions to this policy may be granted based on extenuating circumstances only. Appeals to the withdrawal deadline are only granted following submission of a written petition, with the approval of both the course director and the location-specific campus dean of COM.
Attendance Policy
Attendance at all scheduled KCU classes, laboratories, and clerkships is expected. Additionally, at the discretion of the course director, attendance for each session of the course will be assigned as either required or encouraged.
1. Encouraged attendance session: although students are strongly encouraged to attend, attendance will not be required or included as part of course grade. Therefore, absence does not require submission of an excused absence request.
2. Required attendance sessions: these sessions may include experiential learning opportunities such as labs, simulated patient encounters, skills sessions, Score 1 activities, as well as other activities as assigned by the course director, and all exams/assessments. For virtually administered required sessions, students are held to the same attendance standards as on campus events. In order to be counted as attending, students are required to follow participation instructions per provided protocol.
Attendance at all required attendance sessions will be tracked and absence requires submission of an Excused Absence Request.
Excused Absence Request
Students must submit an Excused Absence Request that is processed and approved in order to be provided the opportunity to make-up, re-schedule, or complete graded work in required attendance sessions. Submission of the request does not ensure approval.
Failure to submit an Excused Absence Request when missing a required attendance session will result in an unexcused absence, and may result in referral to the vice provost for Student Services or designee for failure to adhere to professional expectations.
Excessive Absences in a Semester
A student who demonstrates a pattern of absence by missing three required activities, regardless of excused/unexcused status within a semester will be referred to the vice provost for Student Services or designee. Absences that demonstrate a pattern over the course of a year may also be referred to the vice provost for Student Services.
Excused Absence
There are two types of excused absences:
a) Anticipated: these include all events in which the student has advance notice of the need to miss class. These may include presenting at a conference, representing KCU in a leadership position, military duty, civic responsibility, or obligation associated with completion of a dual degree.
i. Excused absence requests for anticipated events must be submitted at least 10 working days prior to the absence in order to be processed and arrangements made. Failure to submit the Excused Absence Request as outlined may result in denial of the request and/or assignment of unexcused absence.
b) Un-anticipated: these include all events in which the student has very little or no advance notice of the event. These may include illness, death in family, or other circumstances.
i. Excused Absence Request (including necessary associated documentation) for un-anticipated events must be submitted as soon as possible (within 24 hours unless extenuating circumstance). Failure to submit the request may result in denial of the request and/or assignment of an unexcused absence.
Unexcused Absence
In the event of an unexcused absence, the student forfeits the ability to reschedule, make-up, or complete any work for course credit.
Unexcused absence occurs when:
- Request for absence is submitted, but is denied and the student fails to attend the activity.
- Request for absence is not submitted and the student does not attend. An unexcused absence will be assigned and the student may be referred to the vice provost for Student Services or designee to address professional expectations.
Wellness Absence
KCU-COM students will be allowed one “wellness” each academic year without penalty. However, wellness absences cannot be exercised on days of an assessment or required service learning activity such as Score 1 or Early Clinical Experience.
Clerkship Attendance
Attendance at all clerkship related activities is mandatory; therefore, any absence requires an excuse and documentation. Failure to notify Clinical Education and/or the clerkship site/preceptor of any absence from a clerkship, regardless of the reason or number of hours absent, may result in a meeting with the associate dean of Clinical Education regarding lack of professionalism and could result in a failing grade of the clerkship. More information is available under OMS-III & OMS-IV Specific Academic Policies & Procedures .
Electronic Recording Policy
Electronic recording of learning activities is the responsibility of KCU IT Department staff who adhere to University guidelines for obtaining appropriate permissions from those involved. “Learning activities” at KCU involve all scheduled curricular activities including lectures, labs, small groups, presentations, reviews, demonstrations, and any activity in which faculty members, patients, or off-campus visitors are participating.
Due to technical issues, privacy, intellectual property rights, and/or the decision of the faculty member, the recording of any class, lecture, etc. is not guaranteed. Recordings are intended to supplement the education of the student, not to replace attendance at the presentation.
Recording any of these events using video recorders, cameras, camera devices, digital recorders in any form including cell phones or any type of mobile device, is not allowed without the express written consent of all persons involved and KCU’s administration.
Posting of any material for “personal use” to any website also requires written consent in advance. A request form is available from the Office of Testing Services and should be completed with signatures prior to any activity. The signed form should be returned to Testing Services.
Students who initiate electronic recording of faculty, staff, visitors, or a curriculum activity without permission will be asked to discontinue the activity immediately. Additional action may involve referral to the vice provost for Student Services.
Academic Standing
KCU-COM students are considered to be in good academic standing when they meet the minimum criteria for continued enrollment. Refer to the Eligibility for Continued Enrollment section for additional details.
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, sessions with KCU psychologists, 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 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. The typical length of the academic probation is one year, unless otherwise specified, from the time the student is formally notified of being placed on this status.
Academic probation status is not tied to a student’s SAP, as defined by Title IV. It is wholly separate and unrelated to SAP.
Academic Advising/Coaching
The academic advising/coaching program promotes student learning, development, and personal growth to encourage self- sufficiency. COM students are assigned to an advising/coaching team comprised of basic and clinical science faculty upon entry to KCU-COM. Advisors are maintained throughout the undergraduate medical education experience OMS I - OMS IV.
Experiential Learning
While performing duties related to patient care, all students must clearly identify themselves as a KCU-COM medical student both verbally and by wearing their KCU picture identification badge in addition to any hospital issued identification. Misrepresentation of oneself as a licensed physician is illegal, unethical and subject to disciplinary action. Should the KCU identification badge become lost or broken, the student should contact KCU Safety & Emergency Management (SEM) immediately to order a free replacement.
The AOA recommends all KCU-COM students refer to themselves as “Osteopathic Medical Students” (OMS) followed by the academic level in Roman numeral form. Students should use this title when completing written communication such as email, letters, and/or official social media communication. Students should make every effort to follow the recommendation of the AOA. Communication should look like the following: OMS-I, OMS-II, OMS-III, OMS-IV.
Students are prohibited from accepting any form of payment or gratuity for their clinical activities. Clinical activities of students are not permitted without the appropriate supervision of a licensed faculty physician.
The determination of whether a student’s activity violates this policy shall be that of the vice provost for Student Services. The Student Services team can counsel students on this policy as violation of policy may result in immediate disciplinary action.
Extracurricular Experiences & Physician Shadowing Policy
KCU-COM students choosing to participate in volunteer activities outside of KCU sponsored events, including physician shadowing, assume independent legal liability. Associated risks may include, but are not limited to OSHA and HIPAA law requirements and medical malpractice coverage.
Additionally, students are only allowed to wear their KCU white coats at KCU sponsored events (e.g., Score 1 screening, KCU classroom presentation), or while on clinical clerkship rotations.
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) as directed by the COM.
BCLS is completed during the second year of medical school. COM staff will assist with arrangements and offered to students one time free of charge. This course includes lecture 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 in deciding and provide without cost one time to KCU 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.
Medical Professional Liability Insurance
KCU-COM students may wish to participate in volunteer activities such as health fairs during the course of their medical training. Student professional liability coverage does not extend to non-KCU approved activities (volunteer or otherwise). It is the student’s responsibility to personally determine that any activity in which he/she participates outside of clerkship assignments is covered by alternative coverage. The student is personally responsible should an issue of medical liability arise during activities not covered by KCU professional liability insurance.
KCU provides medical professional liability insurance commensurate with industry standards. Coverage extends only to clinical activities specifically determined by the University as requirements for successful clerkship completion. Nonclinical claims, (e.g. property or equipment loss or damage) does not fall underneath this policy. Changes made to clerkship dates, type and/or location without prior Clinical Education approval can jeopardize coverage.
KCU-COM Student Assessments and Grades
Testing Policy
KCU-COM students requesting accommodations for testing will find the application and instructions on the Student Disability Services & Resources page on myKCU. Once accommodations have been approved and outlined, students will receive notification of their specific testing information prior to administration of the exam.
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 as outlined in the Academic & Physical Accommodations. 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 will be considered academically dishonest. Students will be referred to the vice provost for Student Services 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 appropriate phase director 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 vice provost for Student Services 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. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a zero (0) score for that exam and referral to the vice provost, Student Services for breach of professional conduct.
Grades & Assessment Policies
Grades
The academic grade system for COM students at KCU is as follows:
| Grade |
Definition |
| P |
Pass |
| F |
Fail |
| H |
Honors (Top 10%) |
| F/P |
Pass upon remediation |
| IP |
In-Progress |
| I |
Incomplete |
| W |
Withdrawal |
| AW |
Administrative Withdrawal |
| AD |
Administrative Drop |
Incomplete Grades
If a KCU-COM student is unable to fulfill all course requirements within the dates outlined for the course, the student must submit an initial Incomplete Grade Contract form to the course director and the assistant dean for Student Success no later than the final day of the course. Incomplete Grade Contracts submitted after the final day of the course will not be accepted nor approved. If the request is granted, an Incomplete “I” grade will be issued and the Incomplete Grade Contract will be finalized, detailing requirements for course completion and distributed to the student. Failure of the student to acknowledge and approve the Incomplete Grade Contract within three business days of issue will result in a failure of the course. The COM will send the finalized Incomplete Grade Contract to the Office of the Registrar.
If the student declines the incomplete grade, pending course requirements will be recorded as a zero and the current earned grade will be reported to the Office of the Registrar.
All requirements of the Incomplete Grade Contract must be completed prior to the first day of the next academic year or the deadline specified in the contract (whichever occurs first). If a student fails to meet this deadline or does not complete the course requirements satisfactorily (as outlined in the course syllabus), a Grade Change Form will be initiated by the COM to convert the “I” grade to an “F.” If the deadline is met and all pending course requirements are satisfactorily completed (as outlined in the course syllabus), a Grade Change Form will be initiated by the COM to convert the “I” to a “P” grade. The COM will send the completed Grade Change Forms to the Office of the Registrar.
Should a student decide to withdraw or otherwise separate from the University prior to completing the pending course requirements, 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.
Note: 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).
Grade Changes/Corrections
Under the following conditions, a grade change may be initiated: an error occurred in calculating or documenting a grade, a course has been successfully remediated, or all requirements of an Incomplete Grade Contract have been satisfied. A Change of Grade form will be submitted to the Office of the Registrar to process the grade change.
Course Grade Appeal Process
Students concerned that their final grade may have been miscalculated or documented incorrectly can appeal to have their final grade reviewed and verified. Following initial review with the course director, students may submit a final course grade appeal within five business days of the final grade posting. The student should send a written appeal to the senior associate dean of Academic Affairs and Research and the associated course director. Only final course grades may be appealed. The senior associate dean of Academic Affairs and Research (or their designee) will review the student’s submitted appeal and make a determination.
The student may appeal the initial grade appeal decision by submitting a written appeal to the vice provost for Student Services. A three-person panel consisting of faculty will review this final appeal and make a final grade determination. The final grade determination has no option for appeal.
Course, Clerkship, and COMLEX-USA Failure & Remediation Policy
Upon failure of a course, course remediation, clerkship, or COMLEX-USA exam, the student is referred to the COM-Sub SPC COM-SPC, and may be permitted to remediate the failure.
- Students failing a fall term course are provided the opportunity to remediate immediately following winter break.
- Students failing a spring term course are provided the opportunity to remediate during the summer.
- Remediation dates will be determined by the COM and published at the beginning of each term.
- All remediations must be completed prior to the first day of classes of the next academic year.
- Students are only permitted to remediate two courses per academic year.
- A third course failure in one academic year will result in automatic dismissal.
- Failure to attend a scheduled remediation exam may result in a failing grade for that the exam.
- In the case of a successfully remediated course, the student’s earned grade is reported as 70% and will be reflected as F/P on the transcript.
- Unsuccessful remediation of a course is the equivalent of an additional course failure.
- Whether passing or failing the remediation, the student’s most recent grade earned is used in the calculation of the student’s overall percentage grade.
Clerkship Failure and Remediation
Information concerning Clerkship exam failures and remediation is located in the Clerkship section of this handbook.
COMLEX-USA Failure and Remediation
The COM SPC may recommend remediation of a failed COMLEX exam. This is true for a first or second failure of any COMLEX exam. Should a student be allowed a third attempt of COMLEX-USA Level 1 or 2-CE exam and fail the third attempt, this failure will result in an automatic dismissal from KCU-COM without referral to the COM-SPC. Students may not appeal automatic dismissal related to repeated COMLEX-USA failures.
COM Academic Year Repeat Policy
Should a KCU-COM student fail three courses 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 vice provost for Student Services, and may be granted permission to repeat that 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.
Should a KCU-COM student fail to academically progress, and based on the totality of the student’s academic performance while enrolled, the COM-SPC may recommend that a student repeat an academic year. Should a KCU-COM student fail to academically progress as evidenced by three course failures in one year, the student will be automatically dismissed without referral to the COM-SPC.
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
At the end of the academic year and as needed, the COM-SPC evaluates student performance. Students are considered for promotion one academic year at a time. At any time, the University, by recommendation of the COM-SPC and/or the action of the administrative officers, reserves the right to place on conditional or stipulated status, suspend or dismiss a student who has failed to:
Maintain acceptable standards of academic performance based on the totality of their academic record. Maintain acceptable ethical, moral, personal and professional conduct.
Abide by the University’s policies, rules and regulations. Fulfill legal or financial obligations to the University.
Show professional promise including mental and emotional fitness commensurate with the expected 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 records are reviewed to determine whether the student has fulfilled all academic requirements; has maintained the standards of ethical, moral, personal and professional demonstrated conduct required for the continued study of osteopathic medicine; and is mentally and emotionally fit to become a physician.
Promotion to OMS-IV
- Satisfactory completion (passing grades) of all required third-year clerkships.
- Satisfactory completion of all required subject exams.
- Completion of course and instructor evaluations for each third-year clerkship.
- Satisfactory completion of Standardized Patient encounters/OSCE’s scheduled during the fourth year.
KCU-COM 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.
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 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 is also reported in each student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letter.
| 1st Quartile |
Upper 25% |
| 2nd Quartile |
>25% to <50% |
| 3rd Quartile |
50% to 75% |
| 4th Quartile |
Lower 25% |
Clinical Class Rank
For COM 2024, Clinical Class Rank (CCR) is based on individual student scores for first-time attempts on each of the six core NBOME COMAT Subject Exams. For COM 2025, Clinical Class Rank (CCR) is based on individual student scores for first-time attempts on each of the seven core NBOME COMAT Subject Exams. This includes the OPP COMAT. No other Exams are used in the CCR calculation. Although a student may have repeated a COMAT Subject Exam, the first-time score is used in the CCR calculation.
The CCR is only displayed on the student’s MSPE letter if the student is ranked in the top 100 students. It is never displayed on the academic transcript.
Dean’s List
To earn Dean’s list distinction, KCU-COM students average course grades over the course of the semester must be in the top 10% of their class. Dean’s list is awarded 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 is 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.
Latin Honors
The criteria for graduating from COM with Latin honors are as follows:
- Summa cum laude: Top 2 percent of class.
- Magna cum laude: Next 5 percent of class (3 -7 percent).
- Cum laude: Next 5 percent of class (8-12 percent).
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.
Link to the 2023-2024 Medical Student Performance Evaluation Policy and Procedure
National Board Examinations
KCU COM students are not required to sit for NBME USMLE examinations, but are required to pass the NBOME COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2-CE in order to graduate following the NBOME Academic Requirements policy:
Graduation Requirements
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
A student who has fulfilled all the academic requirements may be granted the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree provided the student:
- Has been in residence at an AOA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine, the last two years of which must have been at KCU;
- Has complied with all the curricular , legal and financial requirements of KCU;
- Attends, in person, the ceremony at which time the degree is conferred (unless excused by the campus dean of COM); Satisfactory completion of Standardized Patient encounters/OSCE’s scheduled during the fourth year.
- Has passed Levels 1 and 2-CE of the COMLEX examination administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners;
- Has demonstrated the ethical, personal and professional qualities deemed necessary for the successful and continued study and practice of osteopathic medicine;
- Has demonstrated suitability for the practice of osteopathic medicine as evidenced by the assumption of responsibility for patient care and integrity in the clinical activities;
- Has received formal approval for graduation from the Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees.
COM students must graduate within six years of the date of matriculation. Exceptions to the six-year policy will be considered by the campus dean of COM on an individual basis, considering only extenuating circumstances. Entrance and completion of medical school does not guarantee further career opportunities up to and including matching and/or placement in a residency training program.
Commencement Ceremony
Participation in the commencement ceremony is mandatory for all students who have fulfilled their degree requirements.
Return to: College of Osteopathic Medicine