Accreditation
Who We Are
The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), which is authorized to accredit colleges of osteopathic medicine by the U.S. Department of Education. Ohio University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is one of six regional accreditors in the United States. It accredits degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions in 19 states in the central region.
A formal/structured self-study process was implemented by the executive dean in 2013 in preparation for numerous on-site accreditation visits by our program accreditor the COCA during the development of our two additional locations (i.e., Dublin and Cleveland). The Self-Study Accreditation Team provides oversight to the self-study process; operates under the guiding principle of maintaining a state of accreditation readiness; and consists of faculty, staff and students who actively engage college stakeholders in the ongoing process of accreditation, which remains at the forefront of the college’s decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
The Heritage College underwent its most recent comprehensive accreditation visit by the COCA across all three campuses on September 27 – October 1, 2021. All accreditation standards/elements were met, and the COCA awarded the college Accreditation with Exceptional Outcome, providing the college with a 10-year accreditation status. The college’s next comprehensive visit will occur in the academic year 2031-2032, with a mid-cycle report due in February 2027. The college continues reporting to the COCA and to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine to meet ongoing accreditation needs.
- COCA standards effective August 1, 2023
- Ohio University Institutional Accreditation
- Heritage College Office of Institutional Assessment & Accreditation
- Self-Study Accreditation Team's collaboration platform
Complaints regarding non-compliance with AOA accreditation standards: Individuals may file a confidential complaint directly with the COCA and the Heritage College without fear of retaliation. The COCA contact information and the college policy and procedures are below.
- COCA Complaint Review Procedures: https://osteopathic.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/complaint-review-procedures.pdf
- COCA Complaint Form: https://osteopathic.org/wp-content/uploads/COCA-Complaint-Form.pdf
- COCA website: https://osteopathic.org/about/contact-us/
Secretary of the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
American Osteopathic Association
142 E. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL 60611-2864
Phone: 312.202.8124
Email: predoc@osteopathic.org
Additionally, complaints may also be filed with the Heritage College, see Policy 2.03 on Complaints Regarding Non-Compliance with Accreditation Standards and the associated college procedures.
For questions regarding the Heritage College's policy and procedures, please contact:
Mary Wurm-Schaar, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Director, Office of Institutional Assessment & Accreditation
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Email: wurm@ohio.edu