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History & Accreditation

Founded in 2020, SHSU-COM is accredited with exceptional outcomes and committed to advancing health access across Texas.

Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) opened its doors in 2020 to meet the growing healthcare needs of rural and medically underserved Texans. In 2024, we celebrated the graduation of our inaugural class of physicians, many of whom now serve the very communities that shaped their medical education. That same year, SHSU-COM was awarded Accreditation with Exceptional Outcomes, the highest status a new osteopathic medical school can achieve. This 10-year accreditation reflects SHSU-COM’s commitment to excellence in medical education and service.

From the outset, SHSU-COM’s mission has been clear: to develop compassionate osteopathic physicians who are ready to serve where they are needed most. With clinical training sites spanning East Texas and beyond, our student doctors gain real-world experience while improving healthcare access and outcomes in the communities they live, learn, and serve.

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program has been reviewed and approved by:

  • The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA): the U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor for osteopathic medical schools, ensuring compliance with rigorous educational standards under §602.
  • The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC): the regional accrediting body for higher education institutions in the Southern United States.
  • The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): the state agency overseeing all public post-secondary education in Texas.

To learn more about COCA accreditation or to file a complaint with the accrediting body, please visit https://osteopathic.org/accreditation.

Assessment, Evaluation, and Accreditation at SHSU-COM

SHSU-COM’s strong outcomes and accreditations are supported by the Office of Assessment, Evaluation and Accreditation (AEA).

The mission of AEA is to enhance all SHSU-COM programs through evidence-based best practices in the assessment of learners and the evaluation of programs and people.

The office leads efforts in:

  • Data Analytics and Informatics
  • Assessment
  • Evaluation
  • Accreditation

Kevin Kalinowski, PhD, MPH, serves as Director of AEA, managing the data, processes, and workflows that uphold SHSU-COM’s accreditation and continuous improvement initiatives.

To contact Dr. Kalinowski, email Kevin.Kalinowski@shsu.edu.