The Tracks and Electives program at MCOM strives to create and deliver optional curricular programming strategically crafted for students to create inspiring educational experiences in a variety of healthcare areas. Osteopathic medical students in good academic standing are eligible to participate in elective courses and/or elect to complete a track concentration program.
Elective courses are open to all MCOM medical students and are scheduled to primarily occur during CARES blocks. These optional curricular courses cover a broad range of topics and are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to serve patients in diverse communities with compassion, integrity, and excellence.
Tracks are a special interest concentration program made up of elective courses and a capstone project. Successful completion of a track is acknowledged on a student’s Dean’s Letter and their transcript. MCOM currently offers three track options for medical students. Students are encouraged to declare an intent to complete a track program in their second semester of OMS 1. If a student wishes to change their track intent, they will need to seek permission from the Director of Tracks and Electives.
Students can choose to take as few or as many elective courses as they want (permitted by scheduling). These elective courses appear on their transcript. If a student has elected to complete a track, they will need to complete the required track electives to receive recognition of completion. However, declaring an intent to complete a track does not preclude a student from taking elective courses not required for their track completion.
Currently offered Tracks at MCOM:
Global Rural Wilderness Underserved Tribal (GRWUT) Medicine
The Global, Rural, Wilderness, Underserved & Tribal Medicine Track (GRWUT Track) offers students additional elective courses not provided in the core curriculum and ongoing mentoring throughout a student’s medical school career. The focus of the GRWUT Track is developing well rounded medical students who will be able to thrive in diverse communities and environments whether serving in global, rural, wilderness, underserved or tribal areas. We will be combining the best of this intersection with a particular emphasis on global health bi-directionality, and how we can extrapolate from international lessons learned and apply them to solve problems in rural, wilderness, underserved communities and tribal health here in Montana. Additionally, participants will be equipped to recognize health care disparities and social determinants of health across a broad range of populations.
Military Medicine:
The Military Medicine track is a special option that offers additional elective courses not provided in the core curriculum. The program provides an overview and introduction to 1st and 2nd year students regarding clinical scenarios commonly faced by military medical officers, preparation for military medicine residencies, and education on military lifestyle integration. Students may also have the opportunity to liaison with leaders, educators, and military officers at U.S. posts, bases, medical centers, hospitals, and other sites in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Program. The Military Medicine track includes immersion-based experiential reality training, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), information sessions, and experiences related to Medical Corps Officer military obligations. Focused discussions include topics such as leadership, discipline, military environments, field exercises, disaster response, and triage/evacuation in combat environments on land, sea and air. Expert guests, military officers, and appropriate civilian physicians, and teachers will be hosted virtually and on campuses.
Research Education Academic Leadership (REAL) Medicine:
The field of academic medicine encompasses expertise in the areas of research, education, and leadership as it applies to clinical medicine. With the expansion of medical schools and residency programs in the United States there is a growing demand for well-trained academic physicians who will lead in complex and diverse healthcare settings. Students in this specialty track will learn about various, multi-faceted topics in research, medical education, organized medicine, health policy, diversity, health disparities, and leadership development. Students will receive training to be an effective scholar, public speaker, educator, health advocate, and physician leader. Contemporary health challenges require that leaders understand how to lead teams, understand diverse groups, build coalitions, and be attentive to communities.
To view offered electives, please see Course Descriptions section.