Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

PCOM began in 1899 as the Philadelphia College and Infirmary of Osteopathy and now operates as a specialized, graduate-level health sciences institution. Philadelphia remains its main campus, while PCOM Georgia in Suwanee is a branch campus and PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie is an additional location. Students should therefore confirm the delivery location of any program rather than assuming every degree is available in Philadelphia. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education identifies PCOM as an accredited private nonprofit institution. Its accreditation was reaffirmed in June 2024, with the next self-study evaluation scheduled for 2031–2032. Program-level accreditation also matters in fields leading to licensure; PCOM lists separate professional accreditors for programs including osteopathic medicine and psychology. The institution is focused on advanced and professional education rather than a broad undergraduate curriculum. At the Philadelphia campus, the 2026–2027 catalog lists degrees in osteopathic medicine, biomedical and health sciences, psychology, counseling and related specialties. This makes PCOM most relevant to students who already have college preparation and a defined interest in healthcare, behavioral science, research or professional practice. Its narrow academic focus can support interdisciplinary work across health professions, but it does not offer the range of majors or residential undergraduate experience associated with a comprehensive university.

Admission is handled by individual programs, and PCOM is not a conventional first-year undergraduate institution. Requirements, application services, prerequisites, interviews and deadlines differ across the DO, psychology, physician assistant, biomedical science and other graduate programs. Applicants should use the 2026–2027 catalog and their program's current admissions page, especially because professional programs may use centralized application systems. For summer 2027 entry to the DO program, applicants apply through AACOMAS. PCOM requires U.S. citizenship or permanent-resident status, relevant undergraduate preparation, an eligible MCAT score and three recommendation letters. The school normally expects a completed bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, although applicants with three years of exceptional undergraduate work may be considered. It evaluates academic preparation alongside clinical and research experience, leadership, community involvement, motivation, written materials and an interview. PCOM states that it has no fixed minimum MCAT score for the DO program. For the 2027 DO cycle, the completed AACOMAS application must be submitted by February 1, 2027 and verified by February 28; supporting materials and PCOM's $75 institutional fee are due March 1. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, so the school recommends early submission. These details apply specifically to the DO program and must not be assumed for other PCOM degrees.

PCOM's 2026–2027 catalog places its programs within the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Health Professions and Sciences, and the School of Professional and Applied Psychology. Philadelphia offerings include the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; PhD programs in Cancer Biology and Educational Psychology; PsyD programs in Clinical Psychology and School Psychology; and master's programs such as Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Medicine, Physician Assistant Studies, Medical Laboratory Science, Mental Health Counseling, Applied Behavior Analysis and Applied Positive Psychology. An Educational Specialist degree and several graduate certificates are also listed. Some programs or delivery formats are campus-specific or online. Teaching formats vary by profession. The health sciences catalog describes combinations of lecture, laboratory and field experience. The physician assistant curriculum, for example, is a full-time 27-month sequence with didactic and laboratory work, clinical preceptorships and a research practicum. Psychology education emphasizes practitioner preparation, evidence-based assessment and treatment, consultation and interprofessional collaboration. Osteopathic medical education leads to the DO and incorporates the institution's whole-person philosophy. Applicants should examine the catalog entry and accreditation information for their intended degree. Clinical placement structures, technical standards, academic progression rules and eligibility for professional licensure are program-specific. The institution awards master's and doctoral degrees, but it does not list bachelor's degrees. Certificates and the EdS are distinct credentials and have not been recast as bachelor's, master's or PhD awards in this profile.

Key Highlights

• Founded in Philadelphia in 1899
• Institutional accreditation reaffirmed by MSCHE in 2024
• Private nonprofit institution centered on graduate and professional health education
• Philadelphia is the main campus; Georgia operations are separate locations

Student Life & Environment

Student life reflects a graduate and professional-school environment. PCOM's Office of Student Affairs provides academic support, confidential mental-health and wellness services, career-planning assistance, and programming around milestones such as white-coat ceremonies, Match Day and commencement. Peer tutoring and professional-school study support are available to help students manage demanding curricula. The Student Government Association represents students in each academic program. PCOM reports more than 50 student organizations on each campus, supporting professional interests, identity and affinity groups, leadership development, service and recreation. Philadelphia students can use the Student Success Center, which includes exercise equipment, fitness classes, a gymnasium and meeting spaces. Intramural activities and outdoor exercise resources are also described. This is not a traditional undergraduate social setting with varsity athletics and a large residential population. Activities are built primarily around graduate cohorts, healthcare professions and professional development. PCOM's published 2026–2027 cost-of-attendance budgets include estimated housing and living expenses, so students should incorporate off-campus living, commuting and transportation into their plans and verify current housing options directly before enrolling.

Location & Surroundings

The main campus is at 4170 City Avenue in Philadelphia. PCOM describes it as a 17-acre campus a short distance from Center City, positioned near clinical, community and research opportunities across the region. Campus facilities include teaching laboratories, an osteopathic manipulative medicine teaching center, a clinical learning and assessment center, a library, dining space and PCOM healthcare facilities. Students can reach the campus by car, public transportation, taxi or ride-sharing service. PCOM provides a five-level on-campus parking garage with paid, tiered parking. From Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, the institution directs travelers toward SEPTA service to Bala station followed by a walk along City Avenue; a taxi journey is another option. Philadelphia International Airport is accessible by the regional road network. The location provides access to a large metropolitan healthcare environment, but clinical experiences may require travel beyond the campus. Prospective students should assess commute time, placement transportation and off-campus living costs for their particular program rather than relying only on the campus's proximity to central Philadelphia.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Charges vary substantially by program and enrollment pattern. For 2026–2027, PCOM lists Philadelphia DO tuition at $22,555 per term and an annual comprehensive school fee of $800. Other programs use different per-term or per-credit charges: published examples include $1,212 per credit for Biomedical Sciences and Cancer Biology and $1,425 per credit for Clinical Psychology. Students should calculate the full curriculum cost from their program's required terms and credits, not compare a single term or credit-hour figure in isolation. PCOM's cost-of-attendance budgets add books, supplies, equipment where applicable, loan fees and reasonable estimates for housing, food, transportation, insurance and personal expenses. The institution says financial aid may cover up to the estimated cost of attendance, subject to eligibility and aid limits. Students whose documented circumstances exceed the standard budget may request a special-circumstance review. Borrowing decisions warrant particular care because these are graduate and professional programs with multi-year costs. Career pathways are degree-specific. DO graduates proceed to residency training, while other programs prepare students for clinical practice, behavioral health, research, education or further study. PCOM publishes Philadelphia postgraduate-placement destinations rather than a generalized salary claim. Its 2025 list shows DO graduates entering specialties including internal medicine, pediatrics, neurology, surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation at institutions across multiple states. Applicants should examine licensure, accreditation and recent outcome data for their exact program.