A student who has fulfilled all the academic requirements may be granted the degree Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) provided the student¹:

1. Has satisfactorily completed all of the curriculum and rotations requirements at a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine including at a minimum the last two years of his/her education at LUCOM.
2. Has completed all academic requirements in no more than six years from the date of matriculation (150% of the standard time), except where an exception is required by law or statute.²
3. Has complied with all the curricular, legal, and financial requirements of the university.
4. Has attended the compulsory portions of orientation and senior week, including graduation rehearsal and the graduation ceremony, at which time they take the osteopathic oath.
5. Has passed COMLEX Level 1 and both components of COMLEX Level 2 (CE and PE³) of the examination administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.⁴
6. Has reached at least 21 years of age.
7. Has demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary by the LUCOM faculty for the practice of osteopathic medicine and gained the recommendation for graduation from the Student Progress Committee.
8. Has demonstrated suitability for the practice of osteopathic medicine to the administration and LUCOM faculty through action of the Student Progress Committee as evidenced by their conduct, ethical and professional behavior, demonstrations of medical knowledge and skills, displaying responsibility for patient care, and exhibiting integrity in the conduct of clinical and academic activities.
9. Has demonstrated compliance with the Code of Behavioral Conduct.

Degrees are not awarded solely upon the completion of any prescribed number of courses, credits, or upon passing a prescribed number of examinations. Granting of the degree requires in addition, that the LUCOM faculty believes the student has attained sufficient maturity of thought, ethics, and professional proficiency to serve the public as an osteopathic physician. Matriculation and enrollment do not guarantee the issuance of a degree without satisfactorily meeting the aforementioned curriculum and degree requirements. Students will not receive a diploma until all degree requirements are fulfilled. Students must complete all degree requirements by December 31 to be allowed to participate in the May Commencement/Senior Week activities of the same calendar year.

Hooding Ceremony

The student doctor hooding ceremony recognizes and celebrates LUCOM graduates. LUCOM recognizes the values of professionalism and service in support of the mission and vision of the institution. Eligible family members are, therefore, invited to participate in the hooding ceremony for student doctors. Family members are eligible to participate in the hooding ceremony if they meet the following qualifications:

• Hold a DO or MD degree
• Must be an immediate family member (parent, sibling or spouse)

Graduates must complete a Hooding Request Form for advanced approval of the family member’s participation. If a student does not request to be hooded by a family member, the student will be hooded by a LUCOM faculty member.