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Podiatric Medicine

Podiatry School Requirements

Podiatric medicine is a specialty that seeks to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and disorders affecting human feet. Because of increased interest in physical fitness and sports, and the growing elderly population, there is a growing need for qualified podiatrists. Specialties of podiatric medicine include podiatric surgery, podopediatrics, podogeriatrics and podiatric sports medicine. Podiatrists have the option of working in podiatric hospitals/clinics, in association with medical groups or in private practice. 

The course of study leading to the degree of doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) is four years at all schools. The first two years are devoted to the basic sciences and the last two years concentrate on the clinical aspect of podiatry. Many states require that podiatrists complete continuing education courses throughout their careers in order to maintain their licenses.

Work Experience

Although there are no specified requirements for experience by any of the podiatric colleges, it is highly recommended that students gain exposure to the field before application so applicants can become aware of the possible opportunities and rigors of the profession. Podiatric experience may be gained through volunteer or paid work in podiatric hospitals or clinics, or with practicing podiatrists.

Educational and Course Requirements

Each applicant must have completed at least three years of undergraduate study at an accredited institution, but most applicants enter with at least a baccalaureate degree. Before entry, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) must be taken and the courses below completed:

 

One year of inorganic chemistry CHEM 2 – General Chemistry I (includes lab) and 
CHEM 10 – General Chemistry II (includes lab)
One year of organic chemistry CHEM 8/L – Principles of Organic Chemistry with lab and
CHEM 100 – Organic Synthesis and Mechanism with 
CHEM 100L – Organic Chemistry lab
One year of physics PHYS 8 – Principles of Physics I or 
PHYS 18 – Principles of Physics I for Biological Sciences 
and 
PHYS 9 – Introductory Physics II or 
PHYS 19 – Introductory Physics II for Biological Sciences
One year of biology with lab

Effective Fall 2023:
BIO 11/11L - Introduction to Molecular Biology (with lab) and
BIO 12/12L - Introduction to Introduction to Organismal Biology (with lab)

Prior to Fall 2023:
BIO 1/L –  Contemporary Biology (must take lab) and
BIO 2/L – Introduction to Molecular Biology (must take lab)
One year of English WRI 10 – College Reading and Composition and
WRI 100 – Advanced Writing or
WRI 116 – Science Writing in Natural Sciences
Additional recommended courses BIO 101 – Biochemistry I 
BIO 120 & 120L – General Microbiology 
BIO 164 – Human Anatomy^

^Course currently unavailable at UC Merced. May be taken at community college.  Check with intended schools for more information.
Specific course prerequisites may vary somewhat for each school so please see individual school websites/catalogs for current information.

GPA Calculator

Professional and graduate schools, and the application services they use, expect you to report all attempted classes as part of your overall GPA calculation. Please refer to the "course work" sections of the instruction manuals -- available below -- for how to accurately compute your Math-Science or Science GPA and overall GPA based on your professional goals.

Please refer to the GPA calculation guidelines through their respective application services.

Application Process

There are seven colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States and most are associated with podiatric hospitals. Each applicant must apply to these schools through the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS). The MCAT must be taken no later than April or August of the year before entry. Some schools will accept scores from the MCAT taken in April before entry.

Some schools have also indicated their willingness to accept the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Please check with individual schools about timing requirements for the new computer-based MCAT (2007) 

AACPMAS begins processing admission applications immediately after Labor Day each September, for fall admission the following year.

Deadline dates are as follows: 

April 1 is the priority deadline for entry in the fall of the same year. 
The final application deadline is now July 31 of each year for fall entry in the same year.

Schools of Podiatric Medicine