Osteopathic Physician (D.O.)

Average Salary $204k - 443k
Years Higher Education 8+
Job Outlook Excellent

Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) are physicians who were educated at U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine and completed subsequent specialty training in residency programs and fellowships in hospitals, community health centers, or other clinical settings. Approximately one in four practicing physicians in the U.S. is a DO

A DO’s medical education and practice are shaped by a philosophy that emphasizes preventative medicine, partnership in healthcare between physician and patient, and treatment of the whole person – their body, mind, and spirit. This combination of a strong medical philosophy, rigorous medical and scientific training, and a whole-person approach positions DOs well to partner with their patients to achieve optimal health while prioritizing dignity in healthcare.

DOs are the only physicians required to complete training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a technique that involves using the hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. OMT training is built into the DO curriculum and provides DOs with an additional tool beyond medication and surgery to help alleviate pain, restore motion, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

DOs take great pride in a tradition of serving the underserved, practicing in rural areas, and enjoying an especially close relationship with military medicine. With over 148,000 DOs practicing in the United States, osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest growing segments of healthcare.

Career opportunities for DOs include:

  • Primary Care
    • Family medicine
    • Internal medicine
    • Pediatrics
  • Medical Specialties
    • Anesthesiology
    • Emergency medicine
    • General surgery
    • Obstetrics & gynecology
    • Psychiatry
  • Medical Research
  • Clinical Education
  • Health Policy
  • Hospital Administration

DOs are licensed to practice in every U.S. state and in more than 65 countries worldwide.

Working Conditions | Academic Requirements | Resources

Working Conditions

Osteopathic medicine has a special focus on providing care in rural and urban underserved areas. From small towns to big cities, the White House to the front lines, even at the edge of space, DOs are everywhere. Many colleges of osteopathic medicine have a mission to provide primary care doctors, especially in their regions of the country. However, it is a myth to say that DOs are only primary care physicians. More than 43 percent of DOs practice outside of primary care and across all medical specialties, including anesthesiology, child neurology, dermatology, emergency medicine, psychiatry and surgery.

The duties, training, salaries and workforce information vary according to the specialty field DOs decide to pursue.

Academic Requirements

Admission to osteopathic medical school is competitive. Most students who apply to medical school have a bachelor’s degree. There are a few exceptions for students in special programs that have prior arrangements with medical schools, or where a student meets the school’s admissions requirements by completing the prerequisite coursework without obtaining an undergraduate degree. Some applicants have earned a master’s degree or doctorate before applying to osteopathic medical school.

Premedical coursework varies at each college but generally requires at least:

  • One year of biology
  • One year of physics
  • One year of English composition
  • Two years of chemistry

Competitive MCAT scores, science GPA, and overall GPA are also required.

The American Association for Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) has developed a free database containing information about coursework and other admissions requirements for each college of osteopathic medicine. Access AACOM’s Choose DO Explorer here.

Personal Qualities

Colleges of osteopathic medicine seek well-rounded individuals with a track record of academic excellence and a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system – students who will treat the whole person and emphasize health and wellness for all people.

Competitive applicants:

  • Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Have a record of community service
  • Have a record of leadership
  • Have some clinical experience
  • Have participated in a variety of extracurricular activities
  • Come from diverse backgrounds
  • Possess knowledge of osteopathic medicine
  • Have shadowed an osteopathic physician
  • Are interested in preventative care in addition to treatment of illness and injury

Application Information

The AACOM Choose DO Explorer is a valuable resource for anyone considering or applying to osteopathic medical colleges. This interactive directory includes descriptions of all the osteopathic medical colleges, admissions criteria, minimum entrance requirements, supplementary application materials required, class size or enrollment, application deadlines and tuition.

Applicants will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). To apply, use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) to submit one application to all the schools of interest. Currently, there are 41 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. Find out more about how to apply to osteopathic medical school through AACOMAS.

Osteopathic medical students complete four years of medical school, plus three to nine years of additional medical training through internships and residencies in their chosen specialties. After earning their degree, DOs also must pass state licensing exams and national boards.

Learn More About a Career as an Osteopathic Physician

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The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine reviewed this career profile.