Osteopathic Core Competencies Policy
This policy defines the osteopathic core competency framework that guides curriculum design, delivery, and assessment at Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. These competencies establish the structure through which students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes required for progression through the curriculum and preparation for entry into graduate medical education. Noorda-COM ensures that all students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes required for entry into graduate medical education and the practice of osteopathic medicine. The curriculum is delivered through a blended educational model that includes interactive video content, small group learning, hands on laboratory sessions, immersive experiences, and targeted live lectures, and is designed to ensure the development, assessment, and demonstration of competency required for progression and graduation.
The osteopathic core competencies are aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Osteopathic Core Competencies and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for Entering Residency, and reflect the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competency framework, with the addition of Osteopathic Principles and Practice as a distinct and integrated competency domain.
Students must demonstrate competency in the following domains:
- Medical Knowledge
- Patient Care
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Professionalism
- Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
- Systems-Based Practice
- Osteopathic Principles and Practice, including Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)*
*Osteopathic Principles and Practice are integrated across all competencies and are foundational to the delivery of patient-centered, holistic care.
Development of Competency
Competency development is a longitudinal process that occurs across all phases of the curriculum. Students progress from foundational knowledge and skills in the preclinical phase to increasingly independent performance appropriate for entry into supervised clinical practice in residency
Learning experiences include, but are not limited to:
- Foundational biomedical and clinical sciences
- Case-based and team-based learning
- Simulation and standardized patient encounters
- Osteopathic manipulative medicine laboratories
- Clinical skills training
- Supervised clinical rotations across diverse healthcare settings
Assessment of Competency
Student achievement of the osteopathic core competencies is assessed using multiple methods across the curriculum, including:
- Written and practical examinations
- Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs)
- Osteopathic manipulative medicine practical assessments
- Direct observation in clinical settings
- Clinical performance evaluations by faculty and preceptors
- Standardized national examinations
- Professionalism and behavioral assessments
Curriculum Mapping
The curriculum is systematically mapped to ensure that each osteopathic core competency is:
- Introduced, reinforced, and assessed across all phases of the curriculum
- Integrated across didactic, laboratory, simulation, and clinical learning environments
- Supported by multiple assessment modalities
A comprehensive curriculum map demonstrates where each competency is taught, practiced, and assessed, and where competency achievement is evaluated for progression decisions.
This competency framework supports programmatic assessment and ensures that competency development is systematically taught, reinforced, and evaluated across the curriculum. Determination of competency attainment for graduation is defined in the Graduation Competency Policy.
This policy was reviewed and revised March 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
