Osteopathic medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the whole person rather than symptoms. Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) are trained to look at all health factors, including some environmental factors that could be affecting a patient’s health. The number of US osteopathic physicians has grown by 30% from 2018 to 2023. With 20% of all medical students studying osteopathic medicine, the medical landscape is rapidly changing, and we at Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) aim to answer some of the most common questions about DOs.

How to Become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

If you’re interested in becoming a DO, you must complete a few steps before you can practice. 

  1. Receive a bachelor’s degree. Some schools may require you to take related coursework to apply to their DO program, such as various science courses and labs.
  2. Gain healthcare experience. Even if this is not required for admission, it’s a great way to get exposure to the healthcare world to make sure it’s something you want to pursue.
  3. Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). An MCAT score is required for almost all colleges of osteopathic medicine.
  4. Receive a DO degree. The DO program at KansasCOM provides a foundation graduates can use to work in any healthcare sector they desire. 
  5. Gain licensure. There are a few different levels of licensure you can take the exam for, depending on the setting you want to enter the workforce. Learn more about the national licensing KansasCOM students are prepared for.
  6. Complete a residency program. After graduation and licensure, you’ll need to complete a residency to get hands-on training and experience in the field.

How Long Does it Take to Become a DO?

Post-high school graduation, the typical path to becoming a DO takes 12 years. 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, 4 years to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, and a final 4 years for medical residency.

How Much Do DOs Make?

While there are many different branches of medicine, an osteopathic doctor can practice, a common path is a physician or surgeon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary in the US was $239,200 in 2023.

Is a DO a Medical Doctor?

A DO is a doctor of osteopathic medicine, whereas an MD is a doctor of medicine. Both are licensed doctors who have to take the MCAT, go to medical school, and get licensed. DOs can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice medicine like MDs. The main difference between a DO and an MD is the approach to medicine they take. DOs utilize the osteopathic medicine approach whereas MDs utilize the allopathic medicine approach.

What Areas of Medicine Can DOs Practice?

With practicing any medicine, there are many different career paths for graduates with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. The most common medicine paths for DOs are primary care physicians of family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Other career outcomes include emergency medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and surgery.

Get a DO Degree

Start on your osteopathic medicine journey today at KansasCOM. Our DO program is pre-accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and gives students a patient-centered and community-based academic program. As the first college of osteopathic medicine in Kansas, our mission is to increase healthcare resources for underserved communities. Apply today!