[Fields of Study]

Clinical Research and Education: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Rita Patterson, Ph.D.., Graduate Advisor
817-735-2318
E-mail: Rita.Patterson@unthsc.edu

Graduate Faculty: Fulda, Gamber, King, Kumar, Licciardone, Smith, Stoll

The Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, in which the National Osteopathic Research Center is housed, offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Research and Education through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. These are multidisciplinary degree tracks that differ from the traditional degree programs in public health or basic sciences. These academic programs are focused on research and education in musculoskeletal and manual medicine. Manual medicine research requires individualized, scientifically rigorous protocols for research that are different from more maintstream bench or clinical research. Students are provided with closely mentored experiences in their academic coursework and research.

This is a unique opportunity for medical students to complete a pre-doctoral fellowship in manipulative and neuromusculoskeletal medicine and a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in a specialty research and education program. The program is also available to post-doctoral, licensed physicians who wish to complete an advanced degree in a flexible environment while being involved in clinical and academic training.

Since 2002, the National Osteopathic Research Center (ORC) has developed a broad scope of research education and research initiatives in the area of manual/manipulative medicine. The ORC is funded for research and research training by the National Institutes of Health, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, and other public and private sponsors. This program offers access to researchers and educators from partnering institutions across the U.S. and internationally. Research is ongoing in areas of chronic disease and acute medical conditions, including pain, respiratory disease, and immune function as well as physical and neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

Degree Plans

There are two degree plan options for medical students in the Clinical Research and Education programs: a master of science and doctor of philosophy.

The master of science program requires a minimum of 30 semester credit hours (SCH) and includes provisions for transfer of 6 SCH from an osteopathic medical school curriculum. This program generally requires two academic years to complete and may be completed during the fellowship in intermittent blocks during the third and fourth years, thus adding a year to medical school. The student is expected to conduct mentored, collaborative research for the thesis project in an aspect of musculoskeletal medicine. For more information contact the graduate advisor.

The required core courses and recommended electives are listed in the table below, illustrative of a recommended degree plans. After an academic foundation is achieved, as determined by the graduate advisor and the student's major professor, there is flexibility in the M.S. program to customize the degree plan and training suitable to the selected area of focus for research.

The degree plan may vary with the research focus and the student's educational goals as approved by the student's advisory committee.

 
The doctor of philosophy degree is available for pre-doctoral medical students as a dual degree program and for post-graduate physicians. Post-graduate physicians qualify for advanced standing with 30 SCH. A minimum of 90 SCH is required for the Ph.D.

The required core courses and recommended electives are listed in the table below, illustrative of a recommended degree plans. After an academic foundation is achieved, as determined by the graduate advisor and the student's major professor, there is flexibility in the Ph.D. program to customize the degree plan and training suitable to the selected area of focus for research.

The degree plan may vary with the research focus and the student's educational goals as approved by the student's advisory committee.

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

Qualifying Examination

An oral qualifying examination determines if the doctoral student has mastered information needed to succeed in the discipline of research and education in manual and neuromusculoskeletal medicine. The oral examination will be administered by a committee comprised of neuromusculoskeletal clinical specialist graduate faculty, one basic science graduate faculty, and a biostatistician selected by the departmental graduate advisor in consultation with the chair of the OMM department. The student's major professor may be present but does not participate in the examination. The initial phase of the qualifying examination consists of presentation of a published research article in the student's chosen field of research, with a subsequent question period. In the second phase of the examination, the student will be required to address questions of scientific knowledge in the chosen field of study. The basic science areas covered may include physiology, immunology, and anatomy.

A maximum of two attempts to pass the qualifying examination will be allowed. A doctoral student who does not pass after the second attempt may be dismissed or allowed to complete the requirements for a Master of Science degree.

Grant Writing (BMSC 6010)

Following the qualifying examination and before completing 72 SCH of course work, the student will complete Grant Writing (BMSC 6010) which requires the preparation and oral defense of an original NIH grant proposal. The grant application will describe the student's dissertation research project and serves as the student's dissertation proposal. Following a public oral presentation of the research proposal and grant application, the student will defend them before his/her advisory committee.

Upon approval of the grant application and research proposal, the student is advanced to candidacy.