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A Program for Future Osteopathic Physicians
Nova Southeastern University’s Dual Admission program in Osteopathic Medicine can prepare you to be a capable, confident, patient-centered doctor. Dual Admission allows you to save a spot in NSU’s prestigious Doctor of Osteopathic program while you earn your bachelor’s degree, so you can prepare for your future from your first day as an undergraduate student.
With a focus on educating compassionate healers, our osteopathic medicine program could be the first step on your journey to joining one of the fastest-growing health professions in the country. It combines cutting-edge technology and scientific discovery with compassionate care and humanism, creating doctors who put their patients first.
You will be able to participate in clinical settings with the first month of your inaugural semester in the D.O. program, allowing you to gain immediate access to the real world of medicine.
Elaine M. Wallace, D.O., M.S. | Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Program Overview
The Dual Admission Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program takes six, seven, or eight years to complete.
The six-year program (2+4) is a combined program; students will follow a two-year prescribed course of study earning a Bachelor of Science in Medical Science upon successful completion of the first year of medical education at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. The program is by invitation only. Learn more about the 2+4 program.
The seven-year program (3+4) is a combined program; students will follow a three-year prescribed course of study in any undergraduate major. Students will be awarded a bachelor's degree upon successful completion of the first year of medical education at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Learn more about the 3+4 program.
In the eight-year program (4+4), students will complete any undergraduate major and be awarded a bachelor's degree before starting their medical education.
Students in all three programs will receive the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree after completion of the program.
*Majors that are considered a pathway program are not eligible (i.e. Nursing Pathway or Medical Sonography) for a College of Osteopathic Medicine dual admission program.
Eligibility
To be considered for this Dual Admission program, there are some requirements you must meet. Undergraduate Admission Requirements are for first-time freshmen students applying to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Graduate Admission Requirements are the standards students need to maintain while earning their undergraduate degree to remain eligible for the graduate or professional program. This Dual Admission program is ONLY for first-time in college students, although college credits earned through advanced high school program may apply ( see “transfer credits through high school section below”).
For students eligible for the 2+4 accelerated track in osteopathic medicine, it is required that you have earned 30 college credits accepted by NSU, including college-level chemistry and mathematics, before you enter the program. The Bachelor of Science in Medical Science consists of prerequisites, and a general education framework along with open curriculum. The open curriculum allows a student to craft a rigorous but personalized degree program that aligns with one’s interests, strengths, and goals.
For students eligible for and interested in the 3+4 accelerated track in osteopathic medicine, it is highly recommended that you enter with college-level science credits, specifically in chemistry, before you enter the program. Be advised that students who enter the 3+4 D.O. track without transferable chemistry credits must take at least one chemistry course over the Summer at NSU in order to stay on track in preparation for the MCAT. Students without transferable chemistry credits are recommended to request the 4+4 track.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
3+4: 30 Composite ACT, 1360 SAT
4+4: 27 Composite ACT, 1270 SAT
*Anatomy and Physiology, and Living Environment may be substituted for Biology
Graduate Admission Requirements
Keep your dual admission status while you earn your bachelor’s.
Dual Admission reserves your seat in NSU’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, but you must still complete a graduate application once you finish your bachelor’s degree.
Keep in mind that these are the basic requirements, and final determination of admission into the professional program is at the discretion of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The college reserves the right to place the matriculant at the Fort Lauderdale / Davie Main Campus or Tampa Bay Regional Campus, pending availability.
You must maintain a 3.5 cumulative and science GPA. You must also earn at least a C in each prerequisite course.
Calculation of cumulative and science GPA for the purpose of program eligibility for dual admission will not reflect the "grade forgiveness/repeated courses" policy; all grades for retaken courses will be included. The science GPA for dual admission purposes is composed of only those courses with BIOL, CHEM and PHYS prefixes.
MCAT: You must have a total of 500 overall, no minimum subsection score required.
Additional Requirements
Transfer students are not eligible to apply to this Health and Medical Professions Dual Admission program. Only students coming to NSU in the fall semester as first-time college freshman applicants are eligible to apply.
College credits that were earned through advanced high school programs such as AP, IB or college academy—or in summer coursework following high school graduation, prior to attending NSU—may transfer to NSU. However, we strongly encourage students to take a majority of their specific science program pre-requisites at NSU to highlight their competency in these critical domains and maximize their long-term profile for future graduate/professional school candidacy.
Students who enter NSU with earned college credits through advanced high school programs may be able to complete their degree and program requirements earlier than scheduled and request to enter their graduate professional programs earlier as well.
Please contact your admissions representative for more details regarding high school transfer credits.
Please be advised that a student's initial course placement in mathematics, science or composition may impact the timing of the completion of all dual admission prerequisites and major courses, and could result in the need to take summer courses.
Ready for the Next Step?
Here’s how to apply.
Dual Admission is just one of NSU’s distinctive Premier Programs. These programs are designed to help highly motivated students accelerate their success.
You can apply for just about any combination of the following Premier Programs:
- Dual Admission
- The Fischler Academy of Education
- Huizenga Business Innovation Academy
- Hochberg-Miniaci Razor’s Edge Scholars
You may apply for and be admitted into only one Dual Admission program for your first semester. Each program is unique and has its own eligibility requirements.
Apply for Undergraduate Admission
You can use the Shark Select Application or the Common App to apply to Nova Southeastern University.
Submit a Supplemental Application
Complete the supplemental Premier Programs application for fall entry.
Interview During Shark Preview
If you’re admitted to NSU and submit the supplemental application, you will be invited via email to choose which Shark Preview works for your schedule.
