Sam Houston State University's Russell and Glenda Gordy College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe offers a DO program focused on rural and medically underserved communities. Applicants apply through TMDSAS, complete SHSU-COM's supplemental application and submit Casper. Admissions review considers academics, experiences, service and mission fit.
- Program
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Credential
- DO
- Location
- Conroe, Texas, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- October 1, 2026 (TMDSAS application deadline, 11:59 p.m. CT)
- Interview
- Interview
- Length
- Four years
Casper Requirement for Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- TMDSAS Number
- Other Acuity assessments
- Duet (required)
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
SHSU-COM accepts Fee Assistance Program (FAP) applicants. Link Duet scores with Casper.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- TMDSAS
- Applications open
- 2026-05-01: TMDSAS application available; 2026-05-15: TMDSAS submission and SHSU-COM supplemental application open.
- Application fee
- TMDSAS primary application: $235, non-refundable; SHSU-COM supplemental application: $75, non-refundable. SHSU-COM offers no supplemental fee waiver.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| TMDSAS application deadline, 11:59 p.m. CT | October 1, 2026upcoming |
| Letters of evaluation upload or postmark target date; later acceptance is at schools' discretion | October 15, 2026upcoming |
| SHSU-COM supplemental application deadline, 5 p.m. CT | December 1, 2026upcoming |
| TMDSAS match preference ranking deadline, 5 p.m. CT | January 29, 2027upcoming |
| Multiple-offer decision deadline: applicants holding multiple offers must choose a program | April 30, 2027upcoming |
Begin the TMDSAS application early. Align experiences with underserved care.
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine Admissions Statistics
Period: 2024 and 2025 graduates
- COMLEX Level 3 first-time pass rate, 2024 and 2025 graduates: 100%
The college has graduated physicians.
Eligibility Requirements for Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine
- Degree / credits
A bachelor's degree from an eligible U.S. or Canadian institution is required before enrollment; applicants must have completed at least 90 semester hours or 134 quarter hours. The degree need not be complete when applying.
- Citizenship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or lawfully present individuals eligible for Texas residency classification without visa sponsorship.
The program targets physician shortages in Eastern Texas and applicants committed to primary care for rural and medically underserved communities.
Other requirements
- Technical standards: Meet the program's minimum technical skills and abilities.
- Criminal background check: Pass a criminal background check before enrollment.
Selection Factors Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English | 6 credit hours Minimum grade C |
| Biology | 8 credit hours, including lab Minimum grade C |
| Physics | 8 credit hours, including lab Minimum grade C |
| General Chemistry | 8 credit hours, including lab Minimum grade C |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 credit hours, including lab Biochemistry may replace Organic Chemistry II; minimum grade C |
| Mathematics | 6 credit hours, including 3 hours of Statistics Minimum grade C |
GPA
- How it is calculated
TMDSAS calculates GPA on a 4.0 scale using grades and credit hours from eligible U.S. coursework, including repeated grades. Canadian coursework is not included in the calculated GPA; schools review its transcript directly.
- Minimum
- No minimum GPA requirement.
Holistic review considers all parts of the application equally.
Admissions tests
- MCAT (required): No minimum MCAT requirement; scores are considered in the broader context of the academic trajectory and experiences.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Holistic review weighs experiences in rural health and underserved care settings heavily. Competitive candidates demonstrate alignment with primary care and underserved communities through experiences.
Supplementary application
SHSU-COM invites applicants to complete its required online supplemental application after receiving their TMDSAS application. The $75 fee is required; SHSU-COM does not offer supplemental fee waivers. If reapplying, use the essays to show growth rather than repeating earlier answers.
How applicants are ranked
SHSU-COM reviews academics, experiences, service, cultural awareness, motivation and mission fit holistically, without GPA or MCAT cutoffs. Interview invitations follow review of the full application. The school participates in the TMDSAS Match and uses rolling admissions afterward.
Interview Format at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Format: Interview
Interview Day includes two face-to-face interviews and a written assessment; interviews may be in person or virtual. Invited applicants receive their arrangements.
- Who is invited
- Applicants selected after holistic review of their complete application.
- When
- July-December 2026, sometimes into January 2027.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine
- Program length
- Four years
- Structure
Pre-clerkship training in years 1-2, followed by clinical clerkships, selectives and electives in years 3-4.
- Campuses
- Conroe
The curriculum blends foundational knowledge with hands-on practice from early phases. Training emphasizes primary care skills for rural and underserved areas, incorporating clinical rotations, innovative research, and osteopathic manipulative medicine. Students progress through preclinical coursework into required clerkships at affiliated sites serving Eastern Texas communities. Competency-based elements ensure mastery before advancement, preparing graduates for residency in high-need specialties.
Campus and facilities
Situated in Conroe, Texas, 40 miles north of Houston. The campus has modern facilities tailored for osteopathic training. Clinical affiliations extend to hospitals and clinics in Eastern Texas for rotations in underserved settings. As a new program, student life centers on collaborative learning.
Tuition and Funding at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- 2027-2028 annual program fee and statutory tuition, Texas resident: $26,500
- 2027-2028 annual program fee and statutory tuition, nonresident: $41,600
- 2027-2028 annual insurance estimate: $2,233
Published annual program-fee and statutory-tuition rates exclude the listed insurance charge and may change. Books and other charges may also apply.
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine's Mission and Values
SHSU-COM aims to bolster the physician workforce in Eastern Texas and nationwide, with a core focus on primary care physicians equipped to serve rural and medically underserved communities. The program integrates rigorous academics with early clinical exposure.
The DO program follows a vertically and horizontally integrated curriculum in biomedical sciences and clinical systems-based medicine.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a culture that prioritizes ethical and emotional readiness alongside intellectual capabilities. Students report a supportive environment fostering intellectual, ethical, physical, and emotional growth essential for osteopathic practice. Forums like Student Doctor Network note limited feedback but highlight enthusiasm for the primary care focus; SDN threads discuss applicant experiences, and student feedback is emerging on SDN, emphasizing collaborative primary care preparation.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine Application
- Complete the TMDSAS and SHSU-COM supplemental applications early.
- Book Casper through Acuity Insights and send the result to SHSU-COM.
- Prepare examples of service, clinical exposure and commitment to underserved communities.
- If reapplying, explain your growth rather than repeating previous essays.
- Prepare for two interviews and a written assessment; follow the format supplied with your invitation.
More About Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine
- Program status
The Russell and Glenda Gordy College of Osteopathic Medicine opened in 2020 and trains osteopathic physicians.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine
Does SHSU-COM require Casper for admissions?
Yes. Submit Casper as part of your application.
What is the GPA or MCAT minimum for the DO program?
SHSU-COM has no GPA or MCAT cutoff.
How competitive is SHSU-COM?
Admissions review considers academics, experiences, service and mission fit.
What is the interview format?
Interview Day includes two interviews and a written assessment, in person or virtually.
Does SHSU-COM accept international students?
Applicants must meet SHSU-COM's citizenship or lawful-presence and Texas-residency eligibility rules without visa sponsorship.
What does SHSU-COM cost?
Published annual program fee plus tuition is $26,500 for Texas residents and $41,600 for nonresidents, before insurance.
Where is SHSU-COM located?
Conroe, Texas.
How do I apply?
Apply through TMDSAS, complete the required SHSU-COM supplemental application and submit Casper.
Sources
- SHSU college naming announcement
- SHSU How to Apply
- SHSU Admissions FAQ
- TMDSAS Deadlines & Important Dates
- TMDSAS Policies
- SHSU Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine catalog
- SHSU Osteopathic Medical Student Tuition & Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026