Student Handbook

Welcome to the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM)!

The MSUCOM D.O. Student Handbook is published electronically by the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine for students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program. This handbook is current and in effect for the 2024-25 academic year. The College reserves the right to update or add information throughout the academic year, and will notify current students via email of any substantive change to a policy or procedures. All students in the D.O. program are responsible for the content of this Handbook, and are expected to abide by all policies of MSU and MSUCOM.

The Common Ground Framework provides the MSUCOM community with a reminder of the unity of mind, body and spirit that underlines the field of osteopathic medicine. The framework is a set of guiding, foundational principles that underpin professional conduct and integrity, and applies to all professionals, including students, at work within the shared college community, independent of their specific roles or responsibilities. As we adopt a model for professional conduct that is consistent and transparent throughout all levels of MSUCOM, we can foster a flourishing community where we can grow and learn together. Additional details may be found elsewhere in this handbook.
In 1964, osteopathic physicians working in cooperation with the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons were successful in obtaining a charter to establish a college of osteopathic medicine in Michigan. The original Michigan College of Osteopathic Medicine was located in Pontiac, and admitted its first students in 1969. That same year, the state legislature enacted Public Act 162, a law that stipulated in section 1 that, “A school of osteopathic medicine is established and shall be located as determined by the state board of education at an existing campus of a state university with an existing school or college of medicine." To comply with this legislation, the college charter was transferred to the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University and the college was relocated to Fee Hall on the East Lansing campus in 1971. At that time, it became known as the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Since 2009, MSUCOM has operated under a model of “one college, three sites.” Locations in southeast Michigan at the Detroit Medical Center in Detroit and the Macomb University Center in Clinton Township are home to roughly one-third of each matriculating class.
MSUCOM has a long-established network of community teaching hospitals throughout Michigan that have historically supported the continuum of osteopathic medical education. Over time, these clinical and academic partners formed a consortium supported by the college and known as the MSUCOM Statewide Campus System (SCS). The SCS holds institutional accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and serves as a regional ACGME training center. The SCS designs and delivers educational programs and workshops that support community-based hospital residency programs, as well as faculty development and scholarly activity consultation.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine is approved by MSU to offer a graduate professional degree program in Osteopathic Medicine. Students who complete the curriculum and requirements are recommended by the faculty of MSUCOM for conferral of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree by the MSU Board of Trustees. Following graduation, D.O.s will typically enter a graduate medical education program (residency) and pursue a career path in clinical medicine.
MSUCOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) to offer an academic program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. MSUCOM seeks to comply with all COCA standards for continuing accreditation. The process for submitting complaints relative to accreditation is outlined in the policy here.

More information on COCA accreditation of colleges of osteopathic medicine can be found online here or through the contact information here:

Secretary of the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation American Osteopathic Association
142 E. Ontario Street Chicago, IL 60611
Telephone (312) 202-8124 Fax: (312) 202-8209
Email: predoc@osteopathic.org
Founded in 1855, MSU is the nation’s pioneer land-grant university. With 17 colleges, MSU is home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college and service-learning programs, and is a leading research university. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students, scholars, athletes, artists, scientists and leaders.

MSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is a member of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Association of American Universities, American Council on Education, American Council of Learned Societies, Association of Graduate Schools, Council of Graduate Schools, Committee on Institutional Cooperation and International Association of Universities.
Campuses

MSUCOM - East Lansing
East Fee Hall
965 Wilson Road
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 355-9616

MSUCOM - Detroit Medical Center
4707 Saint Antoine Street
Detroit, MI 48201-1427
(517) 884-9600

MSUCOM - Macomb University Center
44575 Garfield Road
Clinton Township, MI 48038-1139
(586) 263-6731

Graduate Medical Education

MSUCOM - Statewide Campus System
965 Fee Road, A-336 East Fee Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 432-2853
www.scs.msu.edu