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

Faculty:

• Brett Aiello, Ph.D.
• Ashley Bartelson, Ph.D.
• Abigail Bogdan, Ph.D.
• Jessica Brzyski, Ph.D.
• Amalene Cooper-Morgan, Ph.D.
• Demetra Czegan, Ph.D.
• Jamie Fornsaglio, Ph.D.
• Diana Hoover, Ph.D.
• Bobbie Leeper, Ph.D. 
• Nicole McAllister, Ph.D.       
• Diane Miller, Ph.D.
• Jonathan Moerdyk, Ph.D. 
• Ja’Nean Reay Ph.D.
• Renee Rosier, 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:

• Be accepted at Seton Hill University as a full-time student;
• Have a minimum SAT score (critical reading + math) greater than or equal to 1170 on a single exam taken before March 1, 2016; SAT score of 1340 on a single exam if taken after March 1, 2016 or later; or ACT Composite score of 28 or better;
• Have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.7 or better;
• Fill out an application through the EAP inquiry link on the LECOM website;
• Complete an interview;
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
• Agree not to apply to another medical school’s program while enrolled in the cooperative degree program with LECOM.
• Be a first-time college student (not transferring from another college or university)

To be eligible for Phase II students must: 

• Maintain full-time status throughout participation in Phase I,
• Be enrolled in Phase I before starting the second year of study at SHU,
• Be United States citizens or permanent U.S. residents,
• 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; AP credits will not be accepted for the required science courses.
• Complete all degree requirements for the Seton Hill degree,
• Display scholarly and professional potential to practice medicine and express the desire to become an osteopathic physician,
• Not apply to another medical school’s accelerated program unless rejected by LECOM,
• Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.5 or better,
• Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.2 or better in science coursework, and
• Recommend that the student has an experience with “shadowing” an osteopathic physician.

To gain final acceptance, students must:

• Be enrolled in Phase I no later than the start of the second year of study at Seton Hill;
• Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.5 or better;
• Achieve the Academic Index Score (AIS) of 122 or higher to waive the MCAT requirement.  An MCAT score of 500 or better is required if the student does not meet the AIS;
• Formally apply to LECOM by submitting the Affiliate Medical School Application through the LECOM portal by September 1st of the final year of undergraduate study.

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. The student must contact Seton Hill-LECOM academic advisor for details.