ATSU Information

Mission Statement

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences serves as a learning-centered university dedicated to preparing highly competent professionals through innovative academic programs with a commitment to continue its osteopathic heritage across all programs and focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations.

Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine

1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit;
2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance;
3. Structure and function are reciprocally related; and
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.
5. Application of these tenets is whole person healthcare.

ATSU - One University, Six Schools

Established in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still, DO, the founder of osteopathy, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) began as the nation’s first college of osteopathic medicine and has evolved into a leading university of health sciences comprised of a growing community with a rich history in education and osteopathic healthcare. Today, ATSU offers master’s degrees across allied health disciplines; doctorates in athletic training, audiology, health administration, health education, health sciences, medical science, nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy; as well as doctorates in dental medicine and osteopathic medicine. 

ATSU provides graduate and professional programs in healthcare fields at campuses in Kirksville, Missouri and Mesa, Arizona on more than 200 acres with six prestigious schools. Learning environments include residential and online medical degree opportunities as well as community-based partnerships worldwide. ATSU has more than 700 employees dedicated to its not-for-profit mission and an average annual enrollment of over 3,700 students from 35 countries. 

ATSU is renowned for its preeminence as a multidisciplinary healthcare educator. The University is focused on integrating the founding tenets of osteopathic medicine and the advancing knowledge of today’s science. ATSU continually earns distinctions as the graduate health sciences university with best-in-class curriculum and a community outreach mission to serve the underserved. The University has a rich history of leadership in both healthcare education and correlated research.

ATSU instills in students the compassion, experience and knowledge required to address the whole person and shape healthcare in communities where needs are greatest. Inspired to influence whole person healthcare, ATSU graduates contribute to the future of integrated care while also leading with a selfless passion in the communities they serve.

Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health – Mesa, AZ

Arizona’s first dental school, the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) began addressing the nation’s oral healthcare needs in 2003. ATSU-ASDOH students are encouraged to become caring, community-minded healthcare leaders, serving those in need. Students learn through a strong foundation of critical inquiry, evidence-based practice, research, cultural competency, an orientation to prevention, and interdisciplinary healthcare experiences. The relationship of oral health to total healthcare is an essential component of the mission, teaching, and clinical experiences at ATSU-ASDOH.

Arizona School of Health Sciences – Mesa, AZ

In 1995, A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) began educating compassionate allied healthcare professionals while integrating the tenets of osteopathic medicine and advancing whole person care. With residential and online offerings, ATSU-ASHS’ programs include athletic training, audiology, medical science, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies. Clinical training sites are utilized throughout Arizona and the United States.

College of Graduate Health Studies – Kirksville, MO

In 1999, A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) began educating and preparing current and future health professionals for leadership positions in a variety of healthcare settings. ATSU-CGHS’ goal is to provide comprehensive and relevant health studies instruction through high quality, innovative online education. ATSU-CGHS’s distinguished online doctoral and master’s programs have provided the flexibility necessary for working professionals to meet their career development goals. Curriculums reflect the most current advancements in the industry and prepare graduates to be proactive in navigating the ever-changing healthcare tide. ATSU online students also have opportunities to gain real-world clinical experience in their hometowns or in other areas of the country.

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine – Kirksville, MO

Established in 1892 as the first college of osteopathic medicine, A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) has a rich history of leading comprehensive medical education, research, and healthcare. ATSU-KCOM is a professional and graduate institution offering the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree and the master of science degree in biomedical sciences. ATSU-KCOM’s graduates represent a diverse group of osteopathic physicians practicing in every state and several foreign countries.  The College, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association and the Higher Learning Commission, takes pride in its strong curricula, outstanding faculty, clinical experiences, scientific research, service programs, and regional training programs.

ATSU-KCOM is located in the city of Kirksville, a community of about 20,000 residents in northeast Missouri. The campus encompasses 163 acres with 22 buildings, which includes the latest addition, the Interprofessional Education Building.

Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health – Kirksville, MO

Established in 2013, A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) offers an innovative curriculum with an emphasis on public health, leadership, and practice. ATSU-MOSDOH addresses the oral healthcare disparities in Missouri and across the nation. In addition to the issues of oral health and skills of dentistry, students learn from and are encouraged to become caring, community-minded healthcare providers. ATSU-MOSDOH students spend the first and second year studying the basic sciences and clinical introductions in the classroom setting and complete dental simulation exercises in the Kirksville campus simulation clinic. Third-year students work side by side with licensed dentists in our St. Louis clinic. Fourth-year rotations at community-based clinics may include experiences at a community health center, Indian Health Service clinic, and Veteran’s Administration clinic. Additionally, students who do not already have either a certificate or master’s degree in public health earn a Certificate in Public Health with Dental Emphasis while enrolled at ATSU-MOSDOH.

School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona – Mesa, AZ

A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) was established in 2006 and comprises a team of clinicians, educators, and students who share a passion and commitment for whole person healthcare. Using a unique 1+3 model, ATSU-SOMA partners with community health centers across the United States to place students in clinical settings within their second year of study. Osteopathic principles and practices are integrated throughout the curriculum, and the osteopathic manipulative treatment program is designed for primary care applications. This provides distinctive training in the value of healing touch in patient care.

University Accreditation

A.T. Still University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission - 230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 - Chicago, IL 60604 – info@hlcommission.org - 800.621.7440. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Program Accreditation

The following agencies have accredited various programs at ATSU:

• The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
• The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE)
• The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
• The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)
• The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

State Approvals

Degree-granting authority for ATSU-ASDOH, ATSU-ASHS, and ATSU-SOMA has been given by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. At the Arizona campus, if the complaint can not be resolved after exhausting the institution’s grievance procedure, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. The student must contact the State Board for further details. The State Board address is 1740 W. Adams, Ste. 3008, Phoenix, AZ 85007, phone 602.542.5709, website address: www.ppse.az.gov.

Students with complaints or concerns are encouraged to first utilize the University’s internal complaint or review policies as noted in student’s school section of the Catalog or University Student Handbook. If the issue cannot be resolved internally, students may also file a complaint with the appropriate state agency your current state of residence listed at https://www.atsu.edu/about-atsu#complaint-resolution.

A.T. Still University is an institutional participant in the National Council for State Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) initiative. Our listing can be found under our main campus, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Missouri at http://www.nc-sara.org/states/mo.

ATSU Board of Trustees

ATSU Financial Disclosure

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy, nor is the institution operating as a debtor in possession, nor has the institution filed a petition within the last five years, nor has it had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.