Podiatry
Career Info
A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle disorders resulting from injury or disease. A DPM makes independent judgments, prescribes medications and performs surgery. Specific job duties include diagnosing foot ailments, treating deformities of the foot, treating foot conditions, fitting of corrective orthotic devices, and referring patients to other physicians when symptoms observed in the feet indicate disorders such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or kidney disease. Most podiatrists have a solo practice, although more are forming group practices with other podiatrists or health practitioners. Some specialize in surgery, orthopedics, primary care, or public health. Besides these board-certified specialties, podiatrists may practice a subspecialty such as sports medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, radiology, geriatrics, or diabetic foot care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, the median annual wage for podiatrists was $148,720.
Colleges of podiatric medicine consist of a 4 year program whose core curriculum is similar to that in other schools of medicine. During the first 2 years, students receive classroom instruction in basic sciences, including anatomy, chemistry, pathology, and pharmacology. Third and fourth-year students have clinical rotations in private practices, hospitals, and clinics. Graduates are required to complete two years of hospital residency, including a year of surgery. Residency programs last from 2 to 3 years. Residents also serve clinical rotations in anesthesiology, internal medicine, pathology, radiology, emergency medicine, and orthopedic and general surgery.
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Program Requirements
A baccalaureate degree is strongly recommended prior to admission to one of the nine colleges of podiatric medicine, though a minimum of three years or 135 quarter units meets the minimum requirements for admission. Applicants must also meet minimum GPA and MCAT admission test requirements and have shadowed a podiatrist. Some programs will accept the DAT in lieu of MCAT. In 2021, the national average undergraduate GPA and MCAT scores of matriculants were a 3.4 overall GPA, 3.2 science GPA, and a 495 on the MCAT.
Semester Course Recommendations
| admission requirements vary by institution Check with professional schools to ensure you satisfy course content & unit requirements |
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| General Biology |
| BIO 1150 (GE 5B/5C) & BIO 1151 (GE 5B/5C) |
| General Chemistry |
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CHEM 1120 (GE 5A/5C) & CHEM 1122 (GE 5A/5C) |
| Organic Chemistry |
| CHEM 2242 & CHEM 2244 |
| Physics (course selection varies by major) |
| College Physics: PHYS 1121 (GE 5A/5C) & PHYS 1123 or General Physics: PHYS 1141 (GE 5A/5C) & PHYS 1143 (GE 5A/5C) |
| english proficiency (oral & written communication) |
| GE 1A - Written Communication & GE - 1C Oral Communication |
| suggested preparation |
| Biochemistry: CHEM 3350 (Upper-Div GE 2/5) or CHEM 3352 (Upper-Div GE 2/5) |
| Genetics: BIO 3352: Principles of Genetics or BIO 3312: Human Genetics (Upper-Div GE 2/5) |
| Cell and molecular biology: BIO 4452 |
| Anatomy & Physiology: BIO 4431 & BIO 4432 |
Podiatry Schools
Professional Association Links
For more information, visit the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine at www.aacpm.org or the American Podiatric Medical Association at www.apma.org.
