Pathway to Earn a B.S. in Chemistry 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 Chemistry 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 Chemistry 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 Biology major, click here.

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

  • Major in either Biology or Chemistry at VSU, and approved into this pathway program 
  • Complete undergraduate course requirments 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 chemistry major and interested in this program, email Dr. Kurt Winkelmann, Head, Department of Chemistry: (KWinkelmann@valdosta.edu).   

Below is one example of a program map. In addition to the required coursework, students interested in pursuing a career in medicine should plan time 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.
CHEM 1211/1211L 4
CHEM 1210 1
BIOL 1107/1107L 4
MATH 1112 or 1113 3
ENGL 1101 3
Total hours 15
Spring Hrs.
CHEM 1212/11212L 4
BIOL 1108/1108L 4
ENGL 1102 3
MATH 2261 4
Total hours 15
Summer Hrs.
HIST 2111 or 2112 3
POLS 1101 3
Total hours 6

Year 2

Fall Hrs.
CHEM 3401 4
MATH 2262 4
ENGL 2111, 2112, or 2113 3
PHYS 1111K 4
Total hours 15
Spring Hrs.
CHEM 3402 4
CHEM 2210 1
MATH 1401 3
PHYS 1112K 4
Humanities Elective 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.
CHEM 3801 4
CHEM 3601L 2
CHEM 2310 4
BIOL 2261 4
Total hours 14
Spring Hrs.
CHEM 3510 4
CHEM 4210 1
BIOL 2262 4
COMM 1100 3
ECON 2105 or 2106 3
Total hours 15

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 Chemistry: Cellular & Biochemical Foundations of Medicine (DO 100), Infection & Immunity (DO 101), Foundational Physiology (DO 103), Foundations of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Medicine (DO 104), Foundations of Renal, Endocrine, and Gastrointestinal Medicine (DO 105), Foundations of Reproductive & Genitourinary Medicine (DO 107), Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat (HEENT) & Neuroscience (DO 108), Introduction to Human Disease & Therapeutics (DO 109)