Current Students
Current Students OVERVIEW
Diversity
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine is dedicated to training confident and competent osteopathic physicians that represent as much as possible the cultural and social complexity of our great nation. The inaugural Class of 2012 is evenly matched by gender, 50% male and 50% female; is ethnically diverse; and is highly qualified to train for the a career as osteopathic physicians. All matriculating students have met rigorous standards for admission in terms of training in traditional pre-medical science disciplines. However, the academic degrees of our incoming students range from the traditional sciences, like biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology to the social sciences, such as anthropology, history, and psychology. Twenty one percent of the entering class have Masters or Doctorate degrees. Some are second career students with previous experience in business, engineering, nursing, research, public health, or teaching. A little over one third of the class calls Colorado home, but all told, our students come from 28 different states.
The College incorporates into its mission and into its actions a commitment to community service along with its commitment to improving the health and wellness of the patients it serves and expanding access to quality health care for underserved patients. This mission and commitment were foremost in the minds of the faculty and administration when they chose this very diverse student body.
Curriculum
The College has developed a four year curriculum that is designed to prepare students for future residency training as an osteopathic physician. The first two years of the curriculum are primarily classroom-based, while years three and four of the curriculum involve clinical training in affiliated hospitals and clinics accompanied by regular periods of on-campus didactic teaching. The initial curriculum follows a modified “systems-based” design which organizes fundamental information derived from biomedical sciences and clinical sciences together according to the organ systems of the body. Training in the art and skills of physical examination, history taking, and osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment begins in the first week of the curriculum and continues throughout the four years of the curriculum. Seminars, workshops, and small group interactive sessions on community outreach, psychosocial issues, ethics, and professionalism are woven into the core of the curriculum.
Student Services
The College is committed to supporting students throughout their rigorous training program. Additional links on this page provide detail about the programs and services available through the Office of Student Services, the Library, the Student Health Clinic, and Student Organizations.
Additional support for students in the learning environment are provided through efficient 24 hour access to course schedules, assignments, learning objectives, handouts, lecture slides, and other learning resources posted to the college’s courses website. Student grades are tracked on a real-time basis by Course Coordinators and Assistant and Associate Deans. A philosophy of proactive engagement with students guides day-to-day academic advising and counseling services. The college also provides confidential counseling and referral services for students confronted with non-academic issues.