Clinical Rotation Assignments

Note:  Effective for year one students beginning Fall 2026
Students are assigned to their third-year core clinical rotation sites through a process that begins at the offer of admission to the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine with the initial clinical rotation assignment. While it is expected that the initial assignment will ultimately be the final assignment, students may have their assignment changed based on the circumstances listed below. The Office of Osteopathic Clinical Education shall determine the location and number of initial clinical rotation assignments for each entering class. The Assistant Dean for Admissions shall be responsible for the initial assignment under the direction of the Assistant Dean of Osteopathic Clinical Education up until the end of first-year student orientation. Any assignments or changes to assignments after first-year student orientation will be at the discretion of the Assistant Dean of Osteopathic Clinical Education under this procedure.

Initial Clinical Rotation Assignments

Students are initially assigned their third-year clinical rotation location at the time of the offer of admission.  Initial clinical rotation location assignments are classified into two sections:

• Dallas-Fort Worth Region
• Satellite Campus Location

Once assigned, these assignments are considered final. However, clinical site assignments are subject to change due to a variety of factors, many of which may not be within TCOM’s control. Some sites may be discontinued and others added to the list currently in effect. The initial clinical rotation assignment is not a guarantee by TCOM regarding final placement, although students will in most cases be placed at a location consistent with their initial assignment.

The following factors are taken into consideration when initial clinical rotation assignments are made:

• The applicant’s stated preference on their TCOM Secondary Application. Students are required to submit their preference for clinical rotation location at the time of application.
• Space availability at each clinical rotation location section. The number of rotation slots available at each site. This is determined between the Office of Osteopathic Clinical Education in cooperation with each clinical rotation site.
• Date of offer of admission. Offers of admission are done in accordance to the policies and procedures of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in compliance with the timeline established by the medical schools in the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).
• Admissions rank score-this score is assigned by the members of the admissions committee based on their review of the application. When more than one applicant is to receive an offer of admission on the same date, initial assignments will be done in rank score order.

Clinical rotation location preference is not a factor in any admissions decisions at TCOM.  Applications are considered solely based on the criteria for admission.  Members of the admissions committee will not be given any information regarding a student’s preference for clinical rotations.

Once it is determined which applicants will receive an offer of admission, they will be assigned a clinical rotation site based on the applicant’s preference as stated on their secondary application.  If the first location preference is full, then the applicant will be given an assignment to their second-choice location preference.  If more than one applicant is scheduled to receive an offer of admission at the same time, placements will be assigned in admissions rank score order.

Clinical Site Location Assignment Alternate List (Prior to Matriculation Only)

Students who are assigned their second-choice location will automatically be placed on an alternate list for their first-choice location.  As clinical rotation site positions become available during the admissions cycle, admitted applicants who have been placed in their second-choice will have their assignment moved to their first choice.  The opportunity to change site assignment will be done in rank order according to date of admissions and admissions rank score.

The alternate list process outlined in this procedure is utilized until the end of new student orientation.

Exceptions to Initial Clinical Rotation Assignments

Under certain circumstances, a student’s rotation placement may be subject to change.  These assignments changes are due to certain academic, legal, and administrative procedures.

• Students enrolled in the dual Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy (DO/PhD) are assigned to the Dallas-Fort Worth Region.
• Students who receive accommodations as prescribed under Title IX and documented through the Office of Disability Access at the health science center are assigned to a clinical site that meets their granted accommodation(s).
• Students in the Rural Osteopathic Medical Education (ROME) curriculum are assigned clinical rotation sites based on the academic requirements of the program.
• Students who have service obligations in the U.S. Armed Forces will be assigned to the Dallas-Fort Worth Region.
• Students in the Primary Care Pathway Program (PCPP) are assigned clinical rotations in Midland.

Off-Cycle Clinical Rotation Assignments

Any student who is required to repeat an academic year and/or has received a leave of absence may be given a new clinical rotation location assignment.  This assignment may ultimately move the student to another location from their initial clinical rotation assignment.