Accreditation
Who We Are
The 91Ô´´ Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
The 91Ô´´ Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the (COCA) of the (AOA), which is authorized to accredit colleges of osteopathic medicine by the U.S. Department of Education. 91Ô´´ is accredited by the , 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 at the Heritage College 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 May 2027. The college continues reporting to the COCA and to the to meet ongoing accreditation needs.
- The COCA 2023 COM Continuing Accreditation Standards (effective 9/26/23, revised 10/1/24, editorial revisions 4/16/25) can be found at:
- The COCA 2026 COM Continuing Accreditation Standards (effective 7/1/26) can also be found at:
- 91Ô´´ Institutional Accreditation
- Heritage College Office of Institutional Assessment & Accreditation
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.
- The COCA Complaint Policy can be found under COCA Policies on their website,
- The COCA Complaint Form can be found under COCA Handbook and Procedures also on their website,
- COCA Staff:
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 the College Policies and Procedures webpage, /medicine/about/who-we-are/policies and the associated college For questions regarding this policy and/or procedures, please contact:
Theresa Lester, M.A.
Assistant Director, Office of Institutional Assessment & Accreditation
91Ô´´ Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Email: lestert1@ohio.edu
Webpage Last Updated: 4/1/26