Of late, professional, state and federal bodies have been calling for greater accountability and transparency in higher education with emphasis on institutional effectiveness and student learning outcomes. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) is proud to be on the leading edge of these calls, as its self-assessment has been ongoing for many years, preceding external pressures. Through its Mission and guiding Strategic Plan, PCOM has always been a learning institution in the truest sense—continually discovering what we do best, finding the means to improve and evaluating and reevaluating our effectiveness.
From our visions, come our outcomes.
Our approach to quality assurance has extended to the growth of sustainability initiatives in our campus operations and a strengthening of our security, emergency preparedness and crisis management practices. It has allowed us to take bold steps to suppress rates of tuition increase and to expand need-based scholarship aid for our students. And it has renewed our commitment to build and sustain collaborative relationships and strategic partnerships with institutions and organizations that form a strong infrastructure of support for our programs in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
All of these endeavors flourish in a climate of respect and collegiality that is PCOM’s hallmark.
We thank every member of our community for your commitment to PCOM. That commitment makes possible our ongoing success and leadership in osteopathic medical education and the health and behavioral sciences. We invite you to share any ideas you have for the College as our community continues to move forward.
Paul W. McGloin, CPA, LLD (Hon.)
Chair, Board of Trustees
Matthew Schure, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mission Statement
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is dedicated to the education of students in medicine, health and behavioral sciences. The College fosters the growth of the osteopathic profession by training physicians through programs of study guided by osteopathic medical tradition, concept and practice. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is committed to the advancement of knowledge and intellectual growth through teaching and research, and to the well-being of the community through leadership and service.
Educational Tools
The College’s educational goals focus on presenting high-quality, comprehensive programs of study that embrace the following expectations of student learning:
- Students will demonstrate a central core of biomedical or behavioral science knowledge in their field of study, including theory, foundations, clinical skills and applied clinical/practical applications as appropriate to the specific academic program.
- Students will demonstrate communication skills through clinical assessments, group discussion and/or written or oral presentation in their respective fields.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry by designing, conducting, presenting or interpreting research in their field of study as appropriate to their academic program.
- Students will identify, retrieve, understand, analyze, synthesize and apply information collected from various sources and in varied formats, including those requiring skills in the use of information technology.