COOPERATIVE DEGREE PROGRAM WITH LAKE ERIE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (LECOM)

Faculty:

• Ashley Bartelson, Ph.D.
• Steven G. Bassett, Ph.D.
• Abigail Bogdan, Ph.D.
• Jessica Brzyski, Ph.D.
• Kristen Butela, Ph.D.
• John Cramer, Ph.D.
• Demetra Czegan, Ph.D.
• Jamie Fornsaglio, Ph.D.
• Diana Hoover, Ph.D.
• Bobbie Leeper, Ph.D.
• Diane Miller, Ph.D.
• Jonathan Moerdyk, Ph.D.

The osteopathic medicine cooperative degree program at Seton Hill University with LECOM offers a combined undergraduate and graduate program leading to two degrees: the Bachelor of Science in biology or biochemistry and the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. The 3 + 4 program (Phase I: three years of study at the undergraduate level at Seton Hill. Phase II: four years of graduate medical school instruction with LECOM at Seton Hill) allows the student to receive the Bachelor of Science degree after the successful completion of one year of study in medical school. The 4 + 4 program (Phase I: four years of study at the undergraduate level at Seton Hill. Phase II: four years of graduate medical school instruction with LECOM at Seton Hill) allows the student to receive the Bachelor of Science degree upon completion of the degree requirements at Seton Hill. The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree is awarded after the successful completion of four years of study with LECOM at Seton Hill and all requirements for the degree.

Admission criteria for the BS/DO degrees

Phase I prospective students must:

1. Be accepted at Seton Hill University as full-time students,
2. Have a combined minimum SAT score (Critical Reading + Math) of 1170 if taken prior to March 2016; 1240 if taken March 2016 or later, or ACT Composite score of 26 or better,
3. Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale,
4. Complete EAP application with LECOM, and
5. Agree not to apply to another medical school’s program while enrolled in the LECOM program.

To be eligible for Phase II students must:

1. Maintain full-time status throughout participation in Phase I,
2. Be enrolled in Phase I before starting third year of study at SHU,
3. Be United States citizens or permanent U.S. residents,
4. Fulfill the minimum requirements (6 credits of English, 6 credits of behavioral science, 8 credits of biology with two labs, 8 credits of inorganic chemistry with two labs, 8 credits of organic chemistry with two labs, and 4 credits of physics with a lab, 3 credits of biochemistry, and 3 credits of genetics): no CLEP or IB credits will be accepted; no grade lower than “C” will be accepted; Pass/Fail will not be accepted; AP credits may be used to satisfy the requirements for English and behavioral science if a score of 4 or 5 was achieved.
5. Complete a higher level substitute course in the same discipline, in the event that Seton Hill accepts AP credits for science or mathematics.
6. Complete all degree requirements for the Seton Hill degree,
7. Display scholarly and professional potential to practice medicine and express the desire to become an osteopathic physician,
8. Not apply to another medical school’s accelerated program unless rejected by LECOM,
9. Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.4 or better,
10. Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.2 or better in science coursework, and
11. Recommend that the student has an experience with “shadowing” an osteopathic physician.

To gain final acceptance, students must:

1. Meet all requirements listed above,
2. Apply to LECOM through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and submit a LECOM secondary application by November 15 of the year prior to anticipated matriculation into Phase II,
3. Arrange for letters of recommendation and supporting documentation, including official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended to be submitted to LECOM.

All candidates for the cooperative degree program’s Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees must complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum, the capstone assessment, and all required graduate and undergraduate courses for the major, earning a minimum of 107 credits at SHU for the 3 + 4 program or 120 credits at SHU for the 4 + 4 program. The capstone assessment for the biology major includes successful completion of a comprehensive examination. The capstone assessment for the biochemistry major includes successful completion of a comprehensive examination, an oral presentation of the showcase portfolio including a reflection paper which addresses how the student has developed as a chemist, and a discussion of the integration of the University and chemistry learning objectives. Student must contact the Seton Hill-LECOM academic advisor for details.