Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), founded in 2014 and opened to its inaugural class in 2017, is a private osteopathic medical school located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. ARCOM was founded to address a significant physician shortage in Arkansas — one of the most medically underserved states in the US — and focuses on training primary care physicians for rural and frontier communities in the Ozarks region. The college is affiliated with Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) and operates in close partnership with local health systems.
What makes it different
Applications via AACOMAS. ARCOM's location in Fort Smith — a mid-size Ozarks city bordering Oklahoma — gives students access to a diverse patient population with significant rural health needs. As a newer school, ARCOM has built clinical partnerships across the Ozarks and is actively growing its residency placement network.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DO curriculum with OMM integrated throughout. Years 1–2 cover biomedical sciences with osteopathic clinical correlates; Years 3–4 consist of core and elective rotations at ACHE-affiliated facilities and community sites across Arkansas and the broader Ozarks region.
Research strengths
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) has notable research strength in Rural health disparities, Osteopathic manipulative medicine, Primary care access, Community health.
Interview
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) interviews via Traditional faculty interview. ARCOM conducts traditional faculty-led interviews at its Fort Smith, Arkansas campus, typically lasting 30–45 minutes. The interview process evaluates motivation for osteopathic medicine, commitment to serving underserved Ozark region communities, and awareness of rural healthcare challenges in Arkansas. Candidates should expect a conversational format that probes their understanding of OMM principles and their fit with ARCOM's regional mission. The interview day typically includes a campus tour and meetings with students and faculty.
Intake
Approximately 150–162 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 2016, based in Fort Smith, AR. Programmes offered: Primary Care, Family Medicine, Rural Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Internal Medicine.
