The John & Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine is pursuing accreditation with the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). This page documents our current status, the path ahead, and the required institutional disclosures.
The John & Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine has applied for pre-accreditation status with the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). The College has not yet been granted accreditation. Applicant status does not assure eventual accreditation, and the College is not currently authorized to recruit or enroll students.
The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accrediting agency for predoctoral osteopathic medical education in the United States. A College of Osteopathic Medicine progresses through a series of formal stages — Applicant, Candidate, and Pre-Accreditation — before being eligible for full accreditation.
"The College is currently classified as 'Applicant' by COCA. This status reflects the College's formal commitment to pursue accreditation. It does not constitute accreditation, pre-accreditation, or any assurance that accreditation will be granted."
The University of Dubuque Board of Trustees authorizes the establishment of the College and approves the founding gift from the Butler family.
The Founding Dean and inaugural senior leadership begin their work.
Formal application materials submitted to the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
Site visit and review by COCA to consider advancement to Candidate status. Curriculum, faculty, facilities, and clinical-affiliation plans are evaluated.
Upon receiving Pre-Accreditation status, the College would become authorized to recruit and admit its inaugural class.
Full accreditation eligibility follows the successful matriculation and graduation of the College's first cohorts.
The timeline above is illustrative. Actual progress is contingent on COCA review and approval at each stage.
No. The College is not authorized to recruit, accept applications from, or enroll students at this time. Authorization to admit students follows COCA Pre-Accreditation, which we anticipate pursuing once Candidate status is granted. This site is informational only.
Applicant status reflects a formal commitment to pursue accreditation. It does not constitute accreditation.
Candidate status follows a successful COCA review of the College's plans, leadership, and resources.
Pre-Accreditation is the stage at which a college is authorized to admit its first class. Full Accreditation is achieved only after that class progresses through the curriculum and graduates.
We will not announce a target class year until Pre-Accreditation has been granted. Doing so before then would be premature and inconsistent with COCA's expectations of applicant institutions.
Public comment may be directed to the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation through its standard processes. For questions to the College, please contact the Office of the Founding Dean at accreditation@ud-com.org.
Yes. The University of Dubuque is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The College of Osteopathic Medicine is a new unit within the University and is pursuing its own discipline-specific accreditation through COCA, as required for osteopathic medical education.
The College and the University publish the disclosures required by accrediting bodies and state agencies.
We welcome inquiries from prospective faculty, clinical partners, regulators, and members of the community. Reach the Office of the Founding Dean directly.