Tracks and electives are optional curricular offerings that provide opportunities to extend learning through focused, hands-on experiences in specific areas of healthcare practice. Electives are individual courses, while tracks are structured programs composed of multiple electives with a defined focus and a culminating capstone project.
Electives appear on the student’s transcript. Tracks are noted on the transcript as a Concentration and are acknowledged in the Dean’s Letter upon successful completion.
Electives are open to all MCOM students in good academic standing. Students may enroll in multiple electives as scheduling allows. Electives are offered during designated curricular blocks and as longitudinal experiences and emphasize active learning, including hands-on application, small group interaction, and skill development.
There is an application process for all tracks. Students may apply near the end of the first semester of OMS I and may participate in only one track. Tracks at RVU-MCOM, like electives, are inclusive; all students in good academic standing are eligible to apply.
Participation in tracks and electives begins during the first semester of OMS I and continues throughout the student’s education. Coursework is primarily completed during the preclinical years, with ongoing mentoring, residency preparation, and scholarly opportunities during the clinical years.
Electives may be taken independently or as part of a track. Designated electives count toward track completion requirements, and some electives may fulfill requirements across multiple tracks. Elective offerings may include independent study, global medical outreach experiences, and scholar electives such as teaching in Simulation (SIMS) or Osteopathic Clinical Skills (OCS).
All tracks and electives are graded on a Pass/Fail basis, with elective credit hours typically ranging from 0.5 to 2.
Students remain in their selected track for the duration of their education unless they withdraw or are removed due to failure to meet track or institutional requirements.
Track Overviews
Military Medicine Track
Provides an introduction to clinical scenarios encountered by military medical officers, preparation for military residencies, and education on military lifestyle and leadership. Includes experiential training such as Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), field-based learning, and engagement with military physicians and officers.
REAL Medicine Track (Research, Education, Academic Leadership)
Focuses on the development of physician leaders in academic medicine through training in research, medical education, leadership, health policy, and health disparities. Students complete elective coursework and a capstone project in a selected concentration area.
Global, Rural, Wilderness, Underserved, Tribal (GRWUT) Medicine Track
Prepares students to practice in diverse and resource-variable settings, including global, rural, wilderness, underserved, and tribal communities. Emphasizes social determinants of health, low-resource care, and application of global health principles, culminating in a focused capstone project.