Master of Science in Foundational and Integrated Medical Sciences (MS FIMS)
Designed by the College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty members, NSU’s innovative Foundational and Integrated Medical Sciences master’s program is unique in that it offers direct entry into the D.O. program at two distinct points within the master’s program. This direct entry can be attained by students upon completion of year one’s curriculum, or year two upon program completion, with a 500 or higher cumulative MCAT by May 1st and a 3.6 or higher program GPA. Students are also guaranteed an interview at the conclusion of both year one and year two, with a 500 or higher cumulative MCAT score by May 1st and a program GPA of 3.3-3.59. Every student who enters our M.S.
FIMS program has a seat reserved just for them in the following fall’s DO class until they finish the year.
Clinical Training Program
A notable aspect of our clinical training program is a three-month clinical rotation at a rural or urban underserved area. Students will have the opportunity to learn about health care needs of various cultural and ethnic groups whose lifestyles and attitudes toward health care differ from those the student will see in more traditional sites. It is an enriching educational experience, in which students may select an international site for one of the three months.
Osteopathic Principles and Practice Fellowship with a scholarship
The Predoctoral OPP Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity that is designed to expand the educational and clinical opportunities for selected students. It expands the medical school training period from four to five years by converting the two-year clinical clerkship into a three-year Fellowship.
Each fellow completes a full complement of clinical rotations, in addition to a twelve-month fellowship period that is incorporated into the rotation schedule. The fellows assist in all classroom and practical training activities, as well as the development of, and participation in, research projects. Fellows also provide clinical services under the supervision of faculty members. A fellowship certificate is awarded upon completion of the program.
Osteopathic Medicine Research Fellowship
Students wishing to take part in the OSM II Fellowship Research program, will be considered after completion of OMS II. During this program students will learn and demonstrate their knowledge of research methods, enhance their skills in the written communication of scientific data (co-author paper peer reviewed journal), as well as, demonstrate oral communication of scientific results (present at a national or international meeting)and enhance their ability to understand research literature.
Students will learn to incorporate the latest research findings into the practice of osteopathic medicine and exhibit improved insight into the ethical principles of treatment of human participants in research studies. Students will also gain extensive experience working with institutional review boards. Students taking part in the fellowship program will be responsible for preparing an individualized training plan in consultation with their advisor, completing all academic coursework as outlined in the individualized training plan and have taken the COMLEX-Level 1 Exam by the start of the fellowship year.
In addition, students will complete CITI training. They will also participate in conducting an individual research project, the writing of scholarly articles, or participate in an ongoing study. In addition, they will attend in regular meetings with their research mentor and participate in scheduled rounds with other COM fellows. For the student’s involvement, NSU will pay the student’s tuition for years 3, 4, and 5 of the their Fellow’s medical training
International Medical Programs
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) coordinates and participates in international medical outreach programs that provide health care to underserved, international communities. The mission of the outreach programs is to provide access to medical care in underserved and vulnerable countries to improve the health and wellness of those populations most in need. Our goal is to establish long-term relationships that allow us to revisit each community multiple times over several years until the community can maintain its medical status independently.
Moreover, volunteers experience and share in a new culture. Each visit brings progress and success in community wellness. In addition to attending to the health needs of those who do not usually have access to care, these rewarding experiences also offer our students, faculty members, and volunteers the chance to use their clinical skills in settings that may have medical and public health challenges different from their own. The exposure to varied cultures and the unique concerns that each present, provides participants with unparalleled real-world education that serves to enrich us all.
NSU-KPCOM offers one-to two-week medical outreach trips for volunteer physicians, nurses, medical students, and other medical and non-medical individuals. Students of other disciplines are also allowed to participate, as each outreach trip allows. We provide medical assistance in areas where health care is limited or difficult to obtain and establish partnerships with the local clinics.
The Medical Outreach Committee, comprised of faculty, staff and student representatives from various clubs, assist in the planning and coordination of various international medical outreach programs. This committee has collaborated with the following countries for international medical outreach trips: Ecuador, India, Bangladesh, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic. Fourth year students can complete rural/underserved selective rotations at international locations. These clinical sites are sought out by the students and must meet certain educational criteria prior to being approved by the department.
Required Community Service
NSU-KPCOM students are enrolled in the Community Service Course in order to provide direct community service to improve the world around them, in the best traditions of holistic and complimentary care. The goal of the NSU-KPCOM Community Service Program is to provide altruistic service to the community at large, treating all persons with dignity and respect, to foster among NSU-KPCOM students a sense of and habit of stewardship for people and the environment.
