Curriculum Design and Management Policy
At Noorda-COM, students are engaged in didactic, laboratory, and clinically focused education.
Didactic Learning
Students work in small groups in on-campus learning pods covering learning objectives developed into short videos created by faculty. Each video or series of videos is associated with a medical board-style question or an active learning exercise. Students are provided with references in the video segments and are encouraged to continue their exploration of the topic with their pod and through self-directed learning. Faculty are available in person or via “on-call” chat when students have questions.
Students are provided with individualized performance metrics based on assessment performance. Faculty are provided with cohort and individual level data for each assessment item. Faculty-led review sessions are regularly scheduled to discuss specific learning objectives. The review sessions provide interactive and tailored additional support for topics that students found challenging.
Laboratory
Laboratory learning at Noorda-COM includes working in small groups with a faculty leader and other supplemental instructors during OMM, anatomy, and general clinical skills laboratory sessions. Laboratory learning also includes OSCEs, immersive simulations, case presentations, and written and skill-based assessments. During the pre-clinical phase, this learning occurs on-site at NoordaCOM. During the clinical phase, this laboratory and simulation-style learning, which is tied to clinical rotations, occurs on-site or at satellite clinical rotations. Examples include:
• Osteopathic manipulative medicine
• Physical exam skills
• Interpersonal skills (e.g., gathering information, building rapport, creating a shared treatment plan, general interpersonal communication effectiveness)
• Anatomy
• Clinical reasoning and diagnostics
• Patient management
Clinical
The OMS III clinical year consists of core and required rotations in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Psychiatry, General Surgery, and Family Medicine, which are six weeks in duration. This includes two weeks with Noorda-COM faculty (see “Laboratory Learning” above) and four weeks spent at the clinical rotation onsite with a Noorda credentialed preceptor.
The OMS IV clinical year consists of Emergency Medicine rotation, a sub-internship, and additional clinical electives. The Emergency Medicine rotation is a required five-week experience with one week with Noorda-COM faculty (see “Laboratory Learning” above) and four weeks spent at the clinical rotation onsite with a Noorda credentialed preceptor.
This policy was reviewed and revised January 2026. To view the full policy please see the Catalog/Student Handbook. For assistance with policies and procedures, please contact Alexa Levine (alexa.levine@noorda.edu).
