Who accredits osteopathic medical schools?

The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) is responsible for accrediting osteopathic medical schools in the United States. COCA ensures that these institutions meet the standards necessary to provide a high-quality education for students within the osteopathic profession. Accreditation by COCA is essential for schools to maintain their status and validate the quality of the educational programs they offer. This accreditation process involves rigorous evaluation against established criteria that include curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes, among other factors.

In contrast, the American Medical Association (AMA) primarily focuses on accrediting allopathic medical schools and does not have jurisdiction over osteopathic institutions. The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) is involved in the assessment of medical knowledge and competency for allopathic and some osteopathic students through licensing exams, but it does not accredit medical schools. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) supports and represents osteopathic medical colleges but is not the accrediting body itself. Thus, COCA is the appropriate organization for ensuring the accreditation of osteopathic medical schools.