State Osteopathic School Earns 10-Year Accreditation

During the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) most recent review of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), the commission accredited the school with no concerns, allowing for an open pathway for accreditation in 2035.

The commission provides accreditation for nearly 1,000 colleges and universities in 19 states. It is one of seven institutional accreditors in the nation.

It requires institutions to meet five criteria surrounding adherence to mission statements, learning outcomes, residence planning and institutional resources.

“First, we have to show that our mission statement guides our decisions. Second, we have to act with ethics and integrity. The third and fourth criteria deal with teaching: Are our students learning? Do they have good outcomes? Are they able to match to residencies? And the fifth criterion deals with planning and institutional resources,” said Andrea Bucklew, director of accreditation and continuous quality improvement for the osteopathic school.

According to a press release, besides WVSOM, 12 other osteopathic medical schools have or are seeking HLC accreditation.

Doctors of osteopathic medicine, D.O.s, like some graduates of WVSOM, are fully trained, licensed, and required to complete training as residents in the specialty they choose, the same residencies as medical doctors, M.D.s.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the main difference between the two is that some doctors of osteopathic medicine use manual medicine, like hands-on work on joints and tissues, and massage as part of treatment.

WVSOM’s D.O. program accreditor is the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and has continued accreditation status for the program through academic year 2029-2030.

In the release, WVSOM’s President, James Nemitz, called the accreditation a “stamp of approval” that will have positive implications for students at WVSOM for years to come.

“The Higher Learning Commission’s report shows that WVSOM is adhering to the highest standards of compliance while preparing students for careers as competent, compassionate physicians,” Nemitz said. “I’m proud of all those who have helped make this accreditation a success.”

The commission’s evaluation included an assurance review of arguments and evidence provided by the institution demonstrating compliance with the commission’s accreditation criteria; a student opinion survey; and an on-site review conducted by peer reviewers trained to evaluate how institutions apply the commission’s requirements.

WVSOM earned accreditation with “no concerns,” allowing for what Bucklew called an “open pathway” for the next accreditation cycle making the school more financially stable.

“The open pathway requires an institution to determine a strategic initiative and report the progress of that initiative to the HLC. The timing is good because we’re already in the process of doing that as part of our strategic planning,” Bucklew said.