Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California prerequisites

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. The single most universal prerequisite: essentially every MD and DO program asks for it, and it is the foundation the MCAT assumes.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. Take it early: organic chemistry, biochemistry, and most upper-division biology all sit behind it, so a late start pushes the whole sequence past your MCAT date.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab at most schools. A meaningful and growing minority accept one semester of organic plus one of biochemistry. Do not drop the second semester on that assumption until you have checked the schools you actually want.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester, lab rarely required. Roughly two thirds of schools require it outright and the MCAT tests it heavily, so treat it as required even where it technically is not, and take it before you sit the exam.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. Algebra-based is accepted almost everywhere; take the calculus-based sequence only if your major needs it or a target school names it.

2 semesters · 6 credits

Two semesters of English or writing-intensive coursework. Many schools accept writing-intensive courses from any department, but a few name English specifically. If your writing credits come from elsewhere, confirm before you count them.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Most schools with a math requirement accept statistics or calculus; statistics is the more widely accepted of the two and the more useful for reading clinical research, so the baseline tracks it here. If a target school names calculus, its own requirements will say so.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Required outright at a minority of schools (several of them highly selective) and accepted in place of statistics at most of the rest. Take it if calculus is already in your major's path.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. A minority of schools require it, but a quarter of the MCAT is psychological and social foundations: this is the cheapest points on the exam.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Same reasoning as psychology: required by fewer schools, tested directly on the MCAT.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Required by a small number of schools and a common way to fill the upper-division science coursework that strengthens a science GPA.

150+ hours

No hours minimum. "Experience in health care" and "Exposure to, experience with, and/or knowledge of Osteopathic Medicine" are both named in Touro California's review criteria, alongside academic competence, leadership, creative abilities, and "Likelihood to practice in underserved primary care areas."

50+ hours

No hours, and Touro California is unusually relaxed here: "A letter from a physician (either DO or MD) is also recommended but is not required." Its own ShaDO programme (a day shadowing an osteopathic medical student in OMM labs) comes with a warning worth reading before you build a plan around it: "Access to this program is not guaranteed and participating does not grant special consideration for admission into TUCOM." Letters from family members are not considered.

150+ hours

Service with no medical angle. Committees are reading for a habit, not a total, so one commitment held for two years beats five one-off events.

100+ hours

Effectively expected at research-heavy MD programs and genuinely optional at many DO and community-focused schools. If research is not your path, put those hours into clinical work and say so clearly rather than padding a semester in a lab.

No published minimum

"You must submit one letter from a pre-professional advisory committee or two letters from biological/physical sciences faculty members who have taught you in class."

2 letters

The alternative to a committee letter: two letters "from biological/physical sciences faculty members who have taught you in class. Letters from graduate teaching assistants are acceptable": an unusually generous allowance. "Letters must be submitted on formal letterhead and they must be signed by the letter writer."

No published minimum

"A letter from a physician (either DO or MD) is also recommended but is not required." Touro California is unusually relaxed here, and it states no preference for an osteopathic physician. "Letters from family members will not be considered."