A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) is a private, my response not-for-profit graduate health sciences university headquartered in Kirksville, Missouri. Founded in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still, DO—the founder of osteopathic medicine—ATSU began as the nation’s first college of osteopathic medicine and has evolved into a comprehensive health sciences university with seven schools across three campuses . With an average annual enrollment exceeding 3,900 students from 20 countries, ATSU is dedicated to whole person healthcare, community service, and educating professionals to serve underserved populations .

History and Founding Legacy

A.T. Still University’s story is inseparable from the origins of osteopathic medicine itself. Andrew Taylor Still, a physician dissatisfied with 19th-century healthcare practices, developed a philosophy of medicine based on the unity of the body, mind, and spirit. He founded the tenets of osteopathic medicine in 1874 and established the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1892—the world’s first osteopathic medical school .

Dr. Still’s philosophy emphasized that the body is capable of self-regulation and self-healing, that structure and function are reciprocally related, and that rational treatment is based on understanding these interrelationships. This approach became known as “whole person healthcare”—a model that regards the patient as an integrated whole rather than a collection of symptoms .

In 1897, Dr. Still’s students organized to form the American Association for the Advancement of Osteopathy, now known as the American Osteopathic Association . Kirksville, Missouri, remains known as the “home of osteopathic medicine” and the birthplace of the profession.

The Seven Schools

ATSU operates seven schools across three campuses in Kirksville, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; and Santa Maria, California .

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) – The founding school, established in 1892, remains the flagship institution. It offers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and is committed to providing quality osteopathic medical education in a research environment that prepares students for graduate medical training and clinical service .

Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) – Established in 1995, this school educates compassionate allied healthcare professionals in programs including athletic training, audiology, medical science, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and speech-language pathology .

Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) – Arizona’s first dental school, established in 2003, encourages students to become caring, community-minded healthcare leaders. The school emphasizes public health principles, evidence-based practice, cultural competency, and interdisciplinary healthcare experiences .

Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) – An innovative and socially responsible institution committed to whole person health, educational excellence, and community service. The school offers the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree and a DMD/MPH dual degree program .

School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) – Aspires to improve delivery of distinctly osteopathic healthcare to underserved populations through innovative selection, training, and placement of graduates .

College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) – Established in 1999, this school prepares current and future health professionals for leadership positions through high-quality online education, offering master’s and doctoral degrees in health administration, public health, and health education .

College for Healthy Communities (ATSU-CHC) – The newest school, located in Santa Maria, California, was approved in January 2022. The Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program became its founding program, with an inaugural class of 90 students in a 24-month residential master’s click for more degree program .

Rankings and National Recognition

ATSU’s medical schools have earned consistent national recognition for their commitment to primary care and underserved communities. In U.S. News & World Report’s Best Medical Schools rankings, ATSU-KCOM has ranked No. 1 in graduates who go on to practice in rural areas for multiple consecutive years .

According to 2026 rankings data, 23.5% of ATSU-KCOM graduates practice in rural areas, 44.6% in primary care fields, and 58.1% in health professional shortage areas . In the 2025 rankings, 31.9% of ATSU-KCOM graduates were practicing in rural areas, 67.7% in medically underserved areas, and 41.8% in primary care fields .

ATSU-SOMA has also earned top rankings, including No. 2 nationally in graduates practicing in primary care fields in the 2026 rankings .

Academic Programs and Degrees

ATSU offers a comprehensive range of graduate and professional programs spanning the health sciences spectrum. The university awards master’s degrees across allied health disciplines and doctorates in osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, athletic training, audiology, health administration, health education, health sciences, medical science, nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy .

Programs are offered in both residential and online formats. The College of Graduate Health Studies provides entirely online education, while residential programs on the Arizona and Missouri campuses offer hands-on clinical training. The university maintains community-based partnerships worldwide, providing students with diverse clinical experiences .

The university’s educational philosophy is rooted in the integration of osteopathic tenets with advancing scientific knowledge. ATSU emphasizes interprofessional education, diversity, and a commitment to underserved populations across all its programs .

Campuses and Locations

ATSU operates three campuses across the United States :

Missouri Campus (Kirksville) – 800 W. Jefferson Street, Kirksville, MO 63501. This is the historic home of osteopathic medicine and houses the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, and College of Graduate Health Studies.

Arizona Campus (Mesa) – 5850 E. Still Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206. This campus houses the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, Arizona School of Health Sciences, and School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona.

California Campus (Santa Maria) – 1075 E. Betteravia Rd., Suite 201, Santa Maria, CA 93454. Effective September 2026, the California campus will relocate to 651 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 .

Tuition and Financial Information

As a graduate health sciences university, ATSU does not offer programs at or below the baccalaureate level. Federal financial aid, including Direct Loans, is available to eligible students .

For the 2024-2025 academic year, average graduate tuition and fees were $41,935, with additional fees of $1,400 . Tuition varies significantly by program. For example, the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health DMD program charges approximately $87,452 annually in tuition, plus technology and equipment fees .

The university offers tuition payment plans and accepts veterans’ educational benefits. ATSU is approved by Missouri and Arizona state approval agencies to certify enrollment for VA educational benefits .

Conclusion

A.T. Still University occupies a singular place in American medical education as the founding institution of osteopathic medicine. Its 1892 origins under Andrew Taylor Still, DO, established a philosophy of whole person healthcare that continues to distinguish the university today. With seven schools across three campuses, ATSU has evolved from a single medical college into a comprehensive health sciences university while remaining true to its founding mission of serving the underserved. Its consistent national recognition for producing physicians who practice in rural areas, primary care, and health professional shortage areas reflects an institutional commitment that extends beyond rankings to the core of its educational purpose. For students seeking careers in healthcare with a focus on community service and whole person care, ATSU offers a distinctive and historically grounded recommended you read option.