HSC’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine recognized by U.S. News with Tier 1 status as one of nation’s best medical schools for primary care

HSC’s TCOM is recognized as one of the best medical schools in the country for primary care because of its commitment to a holistic, whole-health approach and its significant impact on the health care landscape. U.S. News & World Report awarded Tier 1 status to TCOM, reflecting its success in training physicians who prioritize primary care.

The osteopathic philosophy emphasizes treating patients body, mind and spirit, which has proven effective in various health care settings. This approach has been increasingly adopted, with a growing number of D.O.s entering the workforce — 77% more than a decade ago. TCOM’s curriculum not only fosters this holistic perspective but also produces a remarkable 62% of its graduates in primary care specialties, illustrating the school’s effectiveness in instilling these values.

Furthermore, TCOM addresses health care disparities by training physicians to serve in underserved communities. Its emphasis on patient-centered care, along with the integration of osteopathic principles into mainstream medicine, enhances the overall quality of health care delivery.

Through its innovative educational practices and commitment to comprehensive care, TCOM continues to shape the future of primary care. Thus, making it a standout institution in medical education.

For this reason, apply now to TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools for primary care.

For its 2024-2025 evaluation, U.S. News & World Report presented its medical school rankings in numbered tiers rather than in order from first place to last. Therefore, no school is ranked number one. Instead, U.S. News & World Report awarded HSC Tier 1 status along with 14 other schools, making them the best medical schools in the country for primary care. Of the 15 Tier 1 schools, HSC is one of only two located in Texas.

For the primary care ratings, U.S. News & World Report surveyed 99 medical and osteopathic schools fully accredited in 2024 by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association. Survey data (sometimes supplemented with third-party statistics) was evaluated in categories such as the proportion of a school’s graduates practicing in primary care specialties and the percentage of graduates entering primary care residencies. To be awarded Tier 1 status, a school’s overall score must be between 85 and 99. Within the tier, the schools are sorted alphabetically.

In addition to being awarded Tier 1 status for medical schools in primary care, HSC is ranked first in Texas for Medical Schools With the Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care and Medical Schools With the Most Graduates Practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas.

For this reason, apply now to TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools for primary care.

Yes. In its 2023 list of best medical schools for primary care, U.S. News & World Report ranked HSC’s TCOM as the best in Texas. TCOM was also the highest-ranked osteopathic school in the nation.

While HSC’s quality is constant, U.S. News & World Report has changed how it ranks medical schools for its 2024 evaluation. It grouped this year’s entries into tiers instead of listing them from first place to last.

U.S. News & World Report awarded TCOM with Tier 1 status, making it one of the best medical schools in the country for primary care. And of the 15 Tier 1 schools, TCOM is one of only two located in Texas.

In addition to achieving Tier 1 status for medical schools in primary care, TCOM ranked first in Texas for Medical Schools With the Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care and Medical Schools With the Most Graduates Practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Apply now to TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools for primary care.

An impressive 66% of TCOM’s Class of 2024 students matching in primary care reflect the college’s devotion to producing health care professionals committed to serving in essential primary care fields. This percentage of graduates choosing primary care specialties demonstrates TCOM’s success in instilling the value of comprehensive, patient-centered care in its students.

As can be seen, the focus on primary care at TCOM aligns with the growing recognition and evidence supporting the benefits of a whole-health care approach. As medical research continues to reveal the interconnectedness of various aspects of health, including physical, mental and emotional well-being, the value of providing holistic care becomes increasingly evident. Therefore, TCOM’s focus on the osteopathic whole-health approach places it at the forefront of medical education, equipping students with the tools to address patients’ health needs in a comprehensive manner.

Whole-health care focuses on understanding patients as individuals with unique backgrounds, lifestyles and health challenges. Most important, by considering the entirety of a patient’s well-being, TCOM graduates are better equipped to identify underlying issues that may impact health outcomes and design tailored treatment plans that promote long term well-being. Moreover, this approach to care not only helps address immediate health concerns but also aims to prevent and manage chronic conditions effectively.

The whole-health approach at TCOM is one reason it stands out among the best medical schools in the country

Primary care plays a vital role in promoting overall population health. By focusing on prevention, early intervention and continuity of care, primary care practitioners can reduce health care disparities, improve health outcomes and contribute to a healthier community. As TCOM graduates enter the primary care workforce, they become agents of positive change, fostering healthier communities and making a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.

But TCOM’s commitment to training primary care providers has far-reaching implications beyond the immediate community. As health care systems worldwide face challenges related to access, affordability and quality of care, primary care becomes a cornerstone for building robust and sustainable health care infrastructures. Therefore, TCOM’s focus on primary care production contributes to addressing these challenges and reinforcing the importance of primary care as a foundation for a strong health care system.

The Class of 2024’s impressive matching percentage in primary care further solidifies TCOM’s reputation as a leading institution for producing doctors dedicated to whole health care and serving in critical primary care roles. As this trend continues, TCOM’s graduates will continue to contribute positively to the health care landscape, promoting healthier communities and shaping the future of patient-centered care.

In conclusion, TCOM’s success in producing primary care practitioners reflects its commitment to the osteopathic whole-health approach and the recognition that comprehensive care leads to healthier lives. As the college continues to prioritize primary care education, its graduates are poised to make a significant impact on health care delivery and population health. This aligns with the global shift toward patient-centered, holistic care.

With this in mind, apply now to TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools for primary care.

Graduates from TCOM don’t only become primary care providers. They also practice a variety of specialties.

For example, some of the fields TCOM graduates commonly enter include:

• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• General Surgery
• Emergency Medicine
• Neurology
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Urology
• Anesthesiology
• Dermatology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Geriatrics
• Neurological Surgery
• Child Neurology
• Diagnostic Radiology
• Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics Emergency Medicine
• Pediatrics Medical Genetics
• Integrated Vascular Surgery
• Internal Medicine – Pediatrics
• Internal Medicine – Psychiatry
• Family Medicine – ONMM and Pathology

Apply now to TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools.

Admission to the best medical schools in Texas, such as TCOM, is highly competitive. The most qualified applicants typically have the following characteristics:

• Bachelor’s degree: Most applicants have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. However, TCOM may accept students who have completed a certain number of undergraduate credits if they haven’t completed a degree.
• Prerequisite courses: Applicants need to complete certain prerequisite courses in English, statistics, biology, chemistry and physics. More competitive applicants have also completed courses in biochemistry, physiology or anatomy.
• Test scores: TCOM requires the Medical College Admission Test for admission.
• Letters of recommendation: Applicants need to submit a health professions advisory committee letter or letters of recommendation from professors, physicians, employers or other individuals who can speak to their qualifications and suitability for medical school.
• Experience: TCOM often looks for applicants with some experience in the medical field. This could be through volunteer work, shadowing, research or paid work.
• Interview: Each year, TCOM invites a limited number of applicants to interview for admission.

For TCOM applicants, it is also important to have demonstrated an interest in osteopathic medicine. Shadowing a D.O. or other relevant experiences count as interest.

How are Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine applicants admitted at TCOM?

TCOM uses a holistic approach to evaluate applications for admission. Applicants recommended for admission by the admissions committee receive scores in three domains: academic qualifications, personal (humanistic) development and diverse experiences, all of which align with TCOM’s mission.

Academic Qualifications (Metrics)

The academic qualifications domain assesses the applicant’s record of academic and scholarly activity completed to prepare for the curriculum offered at TCOM. In addition to course work and test scores, the committee evaluates the applicant’s ability to develop competency in scientific, social science and health care systems concepts; manage significant demands both in and out of the classroom; and the capacity for improvement.

Personal (Humanistic) Development

The personal development domain assesses applicant’s activities and interests in preparation for a career as an osteopathic physician. Activities should demonstrate consistent and sincere interest to serve others in a career in medicine. The applicant should be able to explain how these experiences have enhanced their ability to understand the nature of medical practice. Personal development also refers to the extent the applicant expresses self-awareness and recognizes the socioemotional dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship. As part of this domain, the assessment evaluates the applicant’s behaviors that reflect the values of the University of North Texas System.

Diverse Experiences

The diverse experiences domain examines the applicant’s path to osteopathic medicine and how it relates to TCOM’s mission to enroll a diverse class. These experiences include circumstances where an applicant has demonstrated the ability to overcome challenges or engage in experiential learning through socially diverse opportunities. Experiences may also indicate acquired qualities that will prove to be beneficial in medical training such as resilience and cultural competence. This domain also examines how these experiences will enhance the learning of others.

Now that you know the requirements, start your application for TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools for primary care.

TCOM is the oldest osteopathic medical school in Texas.

Dr. A.T. Still is the founder of osteopathic medicine, which subscribes to a whole-health approach to body, mind and spirit. He started the first school of osteopathy in 1892 in Missouri. But it wasn’t until 1967 that D.O.s were first recognized by the military medical corps with their incorporation into the doctor draft. This recognition by a government entity opened the way for a more holistic approach to health care. Shortly after, TCOM offered its first degree.

While many other medical schools in Texas recently adopted a more holistic approach to health care by using some of the osteopathic principles, TCOM has been teaching these same principles since 1970. Over time, all of HSC adopted these principles.

TCOM works with other schools to share its teaching methods. This helps make learning better across all medical schools. It also helps improve health care in the community and across the world. The goal is to build a network of medical professionals who understand patient care fully. This way, everyone works together to create healthier lives for all.

With this in mind, start your application to TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools for primary care.

Several studies and trends demonstrate the growth and recognition of the osteopathic whole-health approach:

• Increasing number of osteopathic medical schools: The growth of osteopathic medicine has been evident in the increasing number of osteopathic medical schools in the U.S. Through the years, the number of colleges of osteopathic medicine has expanded. As a result, more students can pursue osteopathic medical education and training.
• Rising number of D.O. physicians: The number of licensed osteopathic physicians has been steadily increasing, reflecting the growing acceptance and recognition of osteopathic medicine within the medical community and patients. Every year, there are more than 7,000 osteopathic doctors who enter the workforce. As a matter of fact, that is 77% higher than it was 10 years ago.
• Inclusion in mainstream health care: Osteopathic medicine has become more integrated into the mainstream health care system. Presently, D.O.s are commonly found in various health care settings. This includes:
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Private practice
  • Academic institutions

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees offer more options to better health care

• Osteopathic principles have been added into mainstream medicine: Allopathic (M.D.) physicians and other health care professionals have incorporated some osteopathic principles into their practices. For example:
  • The importance of holistic patient care
  • The body’s self-healing capabilities
• Research on osteopathic manipulative treatment: OMT, a distinctive feature of osteopathic medicine, has gained attention in the medical research community. Several studies have explored the efficacy of OMT in treating various conditions, including:
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Migraines
  • Respiratory illness
• Public awareness and patient demand: Patients are increasingly seeking out osteopathic doctors because of the osteopathic whole-health approach. Consequently, as public awareness of osteopathic medicine grows, patient demand for this approach has increased.
• Osteopathic integration in specialty fields: Osteopathic doctors have made significant contributions in various medical specialties, including:
  • Primary care
  • Family medicine
  • Sports medicine

With this in mind, it’s important to note that the field of medicine and health care is constantly evolving, and research and trends may continue to shift. However, the whole-health approach is a reason TCOM is one of the best medical schools for primary care in Texas and the nation.

Given that, learn more about TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools for primary care, and start your application today.

The four tenets of osteopathic medicine are principles that guide the approach and practice of D.O.s. They are:

• The body is a unit: The person is a unit of body, mind and spirit. This tenet’s main focus is that all systems in the body are connected. In addition, people’s physical health is influenced by their mental and emotional well-being. This underscores the holistic approach to patient care in osteopathic medicine.
• The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance: This principle recognizes the body’s ability to heal and maintain itself. Osteopathic medicine aims to support and enhance these natural processes.
• Structure and function are related: This principle asserts that the structure of the body can affect its function and vice versa. For example, a misalignment in the spine (structural issue) can also lead to health problems such as chronic pain or digestive issues (functional problems).
• Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation and the interrelationship of structure and function: This tenet guides osteopathic physicians in their approach to treatment. Instead of focusing solely on the symptoms, they seek to understand and address the underlying causes of disease and dysfunction. Therefore, they consider all aspects of the patient’s health and well-being.

In conclusion, these four tenets influence the osteopathic approach to patient care. They are also what can distinguish D.O.s from M.D.s.

With this in mind, it’s time to start your application to TCOM, one of the nation’s top medical schools for primary care.