Educational Programs

As the sole source of an osteopathic medical education in Texas, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) is unique among the state's eight medical schools. TCOM is a state and national leader in training physicians skilled in comprehensive primary care. Approximately 66 percent of TCOM's medical students go on to practice primary care medicine, helping reduce the shortage of physicians in our Texas communities. In 2011 the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) confirmed TCOM's continuing accreditation for the maximum term of seven years.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) is committed to achieving excellence in education, research and service. GSBS offers students opportunities to earn advanced degrees in biomedical sciences in an innovative educational environment that encourages rigorous health science research, exemplary teaching skills and service to the community. GSBS offers both MS- and PhD-level studies and trains students for dual DO/MS and DO/PhD degrees in conjunction with TCOM. GSBS graduates fill positions in health science centers, colleges and universities, community health centers, federal agencies and industry.

The School of Public Health (SPH) was founded in 1999 as a result of local efforts by community leaders and public health officials. It has grown rapidly in student enrollment and research funding since its initial accreditation with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in June 2002, while maintaining strong and vital links with public health professionals in the community. In 2007, SPH was re-accredited for the maximum term of seven years. In addition to the MPH, DrPH and MHA, SPH now offers the PhD in Public Health Sciences. 

The School of Health Professions (SHP) is the home of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, offering the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree, and the Department of Physical Therapy, offering the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Physical therapy faculty members team up with TCOM physicians and specialists to offer unparalleled training in musculoskeletal and orthopedic practices and osteopathic manipulative therapy techniques.

The UNT System College of Pharmacy (SCP) was authorized by the Texas Legislature and approved by the UNT Board of Regents in 2011.  The new college is planning to admit its first class of students in August of 2013.  The college is dedicated to excellence in education, research, and clinical practice.  Applicants must complete 68 semester hours of pre-pharmacy coursework to be eligible for admission to the college.  The 4 year educational program leads to the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree and consists of three years of didactic coursework and introductory pharmacy practice experiences and one year of advanced pharmacy practice experiences achieved by a series of clinical rotations.  The educational program is designed to prepare graduates to be important members of the health care team that includes the traditional role in the safe distribution of pharmaceuticals, but also includes maintenance of health and management of therapy of patients.

The five schools of the UNT Health Science Center offer numerous opportunities for a student to obtain multidisciplinary training leading to dual degrees. These unique degree programs provide the students with valuable training that further prepares them to be leaders in the inter-professional delivery of healthcare in the 21st century.

The original dual degree program at UNTHSC began as a partnership between the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in which the DO/PhD dual degrees were offered. DO/MPH and DO/MS dual degrees have been conferred to numerous students over the past 12 years, and UNTHSC was the first and only institution to confer the MPAS/PhD dual degree. These programs are now expanding to include dual degrees between MPAS, DPT, PharmD and DO degrees with the PhD (in biomedical sciences), MPH and MHA. Recruitment for students into each of these dual degree combinations will be open beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year.

This page last modified May 2, 2012

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