Pathway to Earn a B.S. in Biology and a D.O. from PCOM-South Georgia in 7 years

Under an agreement between VSU and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - South Georgia (PCOM-SGA), students will earn a BS in Biology and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree upon completion of this program. This is a highly competitive 3 + 4 program with a prescribed schedule of courses in which the student completes three years of undergraduate coursework at VSU, followed by four years at PCOM-SGA in Moultrie. 

Students who are Biology majors should discuss their interest in this program with the program advisor at VSU as early as possible in their first year or second year at VSU and have a minimum GPA of 3.5. (cumulative and science). If you are a chemistry major, click here.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration of Admission to PCOM's D.O. Program

  • Major in either Biology or Chemistry at VSU, and be accepted into this pathway program 
  • Complete undergraduate course requirements required by PCOM
  • Cumulative and science GPA of at least 3.5 through the end of Sophomore year at VSU
  • Earned the minimum MCAT score (minimum composite score of 500 with a minimum score of 125 in each section)
  • Submit a complete application with MCAT score through AACOMAS to PCOM no later than December 1st of Junior year 

The final decision on admission to the DO Program at PCOM is made by PCOM's Faculty Committtee on Admissions after the candidate has completed a formal PCOM interview.  Acceptance into PCOM is competitive and is not guaranteed.  Following completion of 1st year coursework at PCOM, approved courses are transferred back to VSU to satisfy upper division requirements to earn the BS in Biology.   

If you are a biology major and interested in this program, email Dr. Robert Gannon, Head, Department of Biology: (RLGannon@valdosta.edu).   

Below is one example of a program map with minimal courses taken during summer term.  By leaving the summer sessions open, with no coursework, it provides students the time available to shadow physicians, volunteer in their community, conduct undergraduate research, participate in study abroad, or be involved with other activities to learn skills and gain experiences that strengthen their application.

Year 1

Fall Hrs.
BIOL 1107/1107L 4
MATH 1112 or 1113 3
CHEM 1211/1211L 4
ENGL 1101 3
BIOL 1100 1
Total hours 15
Spring Hrs.
BIOL 1108/1108L 4
CHEM 1212/11212L 4
ENGL 1102 3
SOCI 1101 3
Total hours 14

Year 2

Fall Hrs.
BIOL 3200 3
CHEM 3401 4
MATH 1401 3
PHYS 1111K 4
Total hours 14
Spring Hrs.
BIOL 3250 4
CHEM 3402 4
PHYS 1112K 4
PSYC 1101 3
Total hours 15
Summer Hrs.
CHEM 3601 3
Total hours 3

Milestones: Must have both a science GPA and cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.

Year 3

Fall Hrs.
BIOL 4900 1
MATH 2261 4
ENGL 2111, 2112, or 2113 3
POLS 1101 3
HIST 2111 3
Any elective 3
Total hours 17
Spring Hrs.
BIOL 3000-4000 elective 3
Any electives 13
Total hours 16

Milestones: Credit for courses taken during their first year at PCOM will transfer back to VSU. The student must earn at least a 75% in each of the following PCOM courses to receive their B.S. in Biology: Cellular & Biochemical Foundations of Medicine (DO 100), Infection & Immunity (DO 101), Medical Humanities I, II, III (DO 113A, B, C), Wellness I, II, III (DO 129A, B, C), Foundations of the Musculoskeletal System & Skin (DO 102), Foundational Physiology (DO 103), Foundations of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Medicine (DO 104), Foundations of Renal, Endocrine, and Gastrointestinal Medicine (DO 105), Foundations of Research (DO 106), Foundations of Reproductive & Genitourinary Medicine (DO 107), Introduction to Human Disease & Therapeutics (DO 109)