DO/PhD Program
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences program is offered to students interested in medical research and/or academic medicine. Areas of emphasis include: biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology and physiology. This degree is designed for the future physician who desires to see patients in a clinical setting while still maintaining an active interest in research.
Students in the D.O./Ph.D. degree program begin by admission into the College of Medicine (COM) and the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program. Matriculation into COM is deferred and contingent upon completion of Ph.D. (dissertation defended) within four (4) years (entering the Ph.D. program in the summer) and a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5. Students that fail to meet these requirements must reapply to COM for further consideration. After completion of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree, students will enter COM as an MSI dependent on maintaining the qualifications listed above.
The Ph.D. portion of the D.O./Ph.D. program, which includes graduate courses, comprehensive qualifying examination, research and dissertation, will take approximately four years. Thus, the time for completion of the D.O./Ph.D. degree program is approximately eight years. All D.O./Ph.D. program requirements must be completed within nine years.
Application Process for the D.O./Ph.D. Degree
Students wishing to apply for the D.O./Ph.D. program should indicate their interest in the D.O./Ph.D. degree on the OSU supplemental application for medical school. Only students who successfully complete an on-campus interview for the D.O. program will be considered for this track.
Application Materials for the Ph.D. portion
Applicants submit their application online through the OSU Graduate College.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the educational background of the applicant. At least one letter should contain comments regarding the applicant’s research experience and expected motivation and productivity in research. Letters of recommendation submitted to the DO program can be forwarded to the School of Biomedical Sciences, if requested.
Submit a personal statement that addresses the applicant's research interests, why the applicant desires to pursue a dual degree and an account of applicant's research experience, including topics, techniques, presentations and publications, if any. Identifying graduate faculty as potential advisor is encouraged.
In addition to submitting the graduate application materials listed above, dual degree students must apply separately to the D.O. program.
Consult the D.O. admissions page for a complete list of application materials and procedures. Dual degree students may substitute the MCAT for the GRE exam.
Application Review Process
The application review process described below is used to evaluate all applications to the graduate program. For applicants to the D.O./M.S. and D.O./Ph.D. program, the D.O. portion of the application is evaluated by the Student Selection Committee of OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, which has an application review process as well.
The Biomedical Sciences Graduate Committee will formally review the application in a regular or special meeting and vote to accept or reject the application for admission into the biomedical sciences graduate program. The director will inform the associate dean for graduate studies of the status of applications to the biomedical sciences graduate program..