DO vs. MD Degree: What’s the Difference?
Understand the similarities and differences between MD and DO medical doctor degrees.
If you aspire to pursue a career in medicine, you have likely come across Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees. Understanding the difference between DO vs MD is an important first step in choosing which medical career path that’s right for you.
The difference between DO and MD may be subtle in practice, but it is essential to understand the similarities and differences between these two medical degrees before selecting a program. In this blog, we’ll explore the key similarities and differences between MD and DO degrees, including their training approach, curriculum, licensing exams and career opportunities for medical students.
So, DO degree vs. MD. Let’s explore the ins and outs of both medical degrees to discover which pathway is right for you.
DO vs. MD Quick Answer
MDs (Doctors of Medicine) and DOs (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) are both fully licensed physicians who can prescribe medication, perform surgery and practice in any medical specialty.
The key difference is approach: MDs practice allopathic medicine, using conventional tools like medication, surgery and diagnostic testing to treat specific conditions, while DOs are trained in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and take a more holistic, whole-body approach to care.
Both require similar undergraduate preparation, four years of medical school and a residency before they can practice.
What are MD and DO Degrees?
MDs and DOs are both medical professionals who are eligible to be licensed to prescribe medication and practice medicine throughout the U.S. and Canada. While MD and DO degrees offer similar programs, an MD is a Doctor of Medicine and a DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
What Is an MD?
What is an MD degree? While DO degrees focus on osteopathy, an MD degree focuses on the traditional allopathic medicine approach to treat infection, illness and disease. Most medical schools teach allopathic medicine, emphasizing the effectiveness of using research-based medications and techniques like X-rays and surgery to identify and treat illnesses.
What Is a DO?
What is a DO degree? DO degrees are built on the philosophy of osteopathy, focusing on treating the body as a whole rather than treating specific conditions. DO and MD degrees teach students similar procedures and evaluation methods to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and injuries. However, a core part of DO degrees is osteopathic manual medicine (OMM), also known as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), which requires an extra 200 hours of coursework.
Quick Comparison of MD vs DO Degrees
| Feature | MD (Doctor of Medicine) | DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical approach | Allopathic medicine, focused on diagnosing and treating disease | Osteopathic medicine, focused on whole-person care and preventive medicine |
| Training | Four-year medical degree plus clinical rotations | Similar four-year medical degree and clinical rotations, plus an additional 200 hours of OMT instruction |
| Licensing exams | United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) | Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX); some students also take the USMLE |
| Practice rights | Eligible to practice in all medical specialties | Eligible to practice in all medical specialties |
| Patient care philosophy | Emphasizes evidence-based diagnosis and treatment | Emphasizes a holistic approach that considers the body’s interconnected systems |
Similarities Between MDs and DOs in Practice
Having followed similar educational routes and received similar training during medical school, the similarities between the day-to-day operations of MDs and DOs are not surprising. Despite the difference between allopathic vs. osteopathic approaches, MDs and DOs require rigorous study, residency programs and licensing exams to practice medicine. MD and DO degrees also utilize the latest medical knowledge to deliver the best care and treatments.
In addition to similarities in training and education, MDs and DOs can pursue the same specialties, including surgery, cardiology and pediatrics. This means MDs and DOs often work side-by-side during practice.
Despite DOs being the ones who primarily rely on the osteopathic approach to medicine, emphasizing a holistic approach to preventing illnesses, MD training also stresses the importance of preventative measures while addressing medical conditions. Similarly, DOs consider a scientific approach and the advantages of evidence-based medicine, like in an MD program.
The similarities between DO and MD education mean that, in some cases, the only indication to a patient may be the letters after a doctor’s name.
What Are the Key Differences Between MD and DO Practice Styles?
As mentioned, the key difference between DO and MD practice styles is the allopathic vs. osteopathic approaches to treatment. Through OMT training, DOs gain an in-depth understanding of how bones, muscles and nerves combine and their effects on overall health. This influences their approach to treatment, offering alternative, hands-on methods to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, when compared to allopathic medicine. However, it is important to note that not all DOs use OMT during practice.
MDs practice an allopathic approach to care, focusing on contemporary, research-based medicine to treat and manage various conditions. This is seen as the scientific approach to diagnosing and treating medical conditions, while osteopathy adopts a holistic, mind-body-spirit approach, focusing on preventative care.
The differences in practice styles between MDs and DOs can lead to different approaches to chronic and acute medical conditions. MDs are likely to focus on specific treatments for a targeted area of the body, while DOs may be more inclined to take a holistic approach, considering the whole body and utilizing OMT training.
Education and Training Paths for DO and MD
The education routes are very similar for DOs and MDs. They often earn a 4-year undergraduate degree (or undertake a relevant pre-medical program) before enrolling in a 4-year MD or DO degree program at a medical school or a college of osteopathic medicine. Following this, MDs and DOs must complete 3-7 years of residency training (depending on their chosen specialty), which can be followed by a fellowship.
Therefore, MDs and DOs receive similar medical training, and both must pass licensing exams to practice medicine. MDs take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while DOs take the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). Some DO students may also choose to take the USMLE to strengthen their residency applications, particularly when applying to competitive programs or specialties.
The key difference between DO and MD training is that DOs complete an additional 200 hours of coursework during the 4-year DO degree. The training focuses on the relationship between bones, muscles and nerves, and trains DOs in OMT methods.
DO vs MD Degree: How to Choose
Medical students must consider various factors when deciding between a DO and MD degree, with both degrees offering a path to becoming a licensed medical doctor.
Here are some factors that can help students determine which route aligns with their personal and professional goals:
1. Popularity and recognition
There is a significant disparity between the number of MDs and DOs, with the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) 2024 physician census finding that 89% of licensed physicians in the U.S. hold an MD degree, compared to 11% who hold a DO degree. This shows the popularity of MD programs and leads to wider recognition for MDs, which can affect international career opportunities.
Despite this, the number of licensed DOs has grown at a much faster rate than MDs, increasing by 110% since 2010 compared to a 21% increase for MDs over the same period, according to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and FSMB data, highlighting increased popularity among medical students.
2. Location
It is important to consider location when weighing up DO vs. MD degrees, as some areas have more MDs while others have more DOs. This is a key consideration when applying for residency, with some residencies and locations more suitable and less competitive for MDs or DOs.
3. Licensing exams
MD and DO students must pass all three stages of their respective licensing exams. MD students take the USMLE, while DO students take the COMLEX before pursuing a residency program. It is worth noting that some DO students take the USMLE, in addition to COMLEX exams, to increase the likelihood of securing competitive residency programs.
In terms of content, both sets of licensing exams cover similar material. However, the COMLEX includes additional questions on OMT.
4. Curriculum and approach
The difference between DO and MD content is mainly due to the different approaches to medicine. While DO and MD programs cover similar basic science modules in the first two years and prepare students for clinical rotations, residency and licensing exams, DO programs incorporate OMT in the curriculum and adapt the content around a holistic approach to patient care. This adds an extra 200 hours of coursework to the DO program curriculum.
Despite the differences in approach, both DO and MD programs share the same goal of preparing students to become fully licensed doctors.
5. Admission requirements
Admission to MD and DO programs is based on undergraduate grade point averages (GPA) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores (for U.S. students). Despite both degrees requiring high GPA and MCAT scores, MD programs are considered slightly more competitive, with a higher applicant-to-seat ratio than DO programs. However, as mentioned, DO programs are growing in popularity.
6. Specialties
MDs and DOs can pursue any medical specialty, from pediatrics to dermatology. Before pursuing a degree, students should consider their long-term career goals, as some specialties are more aligned with a DO or MD degree. For example, specialties like family medicine and internal medicine are considered to be more aligned with the osteopathic philosophy.
Pros and Cons of DO vs MD
Choosing between a DO and an MD degree comes down to personal fit. Here’s a breakdown of the key advantages and trade-offs of each path:
MD: Pros
- Differences in public awareness, both domestically and internationally, since MDs make up the large majority of licensed physicians in the U.S.
- Training and licensing exams (USMLE) are fully focused on allopathic medicine, without the added OMT coursework
- Can offer a slight edge when applying to highly competitive specialties such as dermatology, orthopedic surgery and radiology
MD: Cons
- Curriculum centers on diagnosing and treating specific conditions, which can mean a narrower, less whole-body approach to patient care compared to DO training
DO: Pros
- Training in OMT provides a hands-on, whole-body diagnostic and treatment skill set in addition to conventional medical training
- Holistic approach often translates into a stronger emphasis on preventive care and lifestyle-based treatment
- Growing number of DOs matching into competitive specialties as MD and DO residency training pathways continue to merge
DO: Cons
- Many DO students choose to take both the COMLEX and USMLE to remain competitive for residency placements, adding time and cost
- COMLEX includes additional OMT-focused material, requiring extra study on top of shared core content
- Historically, the DO degree has had less familiarity among some audiences compared with the MD degree,, though the gap continues to narrow as the number of licensed DOs increases
Regardless of degree, both MDs and DOs complete four years of medical school, pass rigorous licensing exams, and can pursue any medical specialty and practice setting. Neither path is inherently “better” – the right choice depends on your preferred approach to patient care and your long-term career goals.
MD vs DO Degree: Which Path is Right for You?
After considering the above factors, including your preferred specialty, differences in the curriculum and approach, and the admission requirements for both programs, the decision between an MD or DO degree ultimately comes down to personal preference and alignment with your goals and values.
If you choose to pursue an MD program, be sure to check out Medical University of the Americas (MUA)! MUA offers an accredited four-year MD program that provides medical students with hands-on training and personalized support from dedicated faculty.
During the MD program, the first five semesters (Basic Science) take place at MUA’s campus on the island of Nevis, and are then followed by five semesters of clinical rotations (Clinical Medicine) at affiliated teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centers in the U.S., and select elective sites in Canada.
Learn more about MUA from an MD program student:
MUA also offers several exciting pre-med pathway programs, including a 5-Year BSc/MD Program and a 6-Year BSc/MD Program, where students earn a BSc in Biomedical Science and an MD degree. In addition, students can pursue an eight-month Pre-Medical Master’s Program and a 15-week Gateway Program to prepare for the MD program at MUA.
If you have questions about any of these programs, please be sure to contact us. Then apply when you’re ready to get started!
FAQs About MD and DO Degrees
No, an MD and DO offer the same level of qualification. Earning an MD or a DO degree makes you eligible to become a fully licensed medical doctor.
An example of osteopathic medicine is using OMT to diagnose, treat and prevent illness or injury. OMT is a hands-on approach built on the osteopathic philosophy, emphasizing a connection between bones, muscles and nerves. A doctor may also use OMT to relieve chronic pain.
No, both DO and MD degrees require rigorous study, sharing a similar structure of five semesters of basic science and five semesters of clinical rotations. Both degrees also contain licensing exams.
Yes. Both MDs and DOs can pursue any medical specialty, from family medicine and internal medicine to more competitive fields like dermatology, surgery and radiology. The main difference lies in their approach to care rather than which specialties they’re eligible for.
The USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is taken by MD students, while the COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination) is taken by DO students. Both exams cover similar core medical content and are required to become a licensed physician. However, the COMLEX includes additional questions on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), reflecting the extra training DO students receive in this area. Some DO students also choose to take the USMLE alongside the COMLEX to strengthen their residency applications.
While it is technically possible, both an MD and DO degree have the shared overall goal of preparing students to become fully licensed physicians. Therefore, students usually choose to pursue either one or the other, based on their medical career interests and goals.
Useful Links
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