Podiatry
Post-baccalaureate degree: DPM
A doctor of podiatric medicine, known also as a podiatric physician surgeon, is qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. When treating patients, this system is also known as the lower extremity. Podiatric physicians are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the lower extremity based on their education, training and expertise. Podiatrists are defined as physicians by the federal government.
Academic and Career Information - updated 2020 (PDF)
Minimum Prerequisites for Admission
The following prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation in a podiatry program:
- baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- each program has its own prerequisites: check specific school for prerequisites details. Some schools will not accept AP credit for prerequisites.
- general course prerequisites:
- general biology with lab, one year
- biochemistry, one course
- general chemistry with lab, one year
- organic chemistry with lab, one year
- general physics with lab, one year
- English, one year
Test Needed
All applicants are required to submit an official MCAT score via AACPMAS. All standardized admissions exams taken more than three (3) years prior to application are not acceptable.
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Professional Associations
- American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)
- The AACPMC's Student Brochure (PDF) is the primary piece of literature that is disseminated by the organization. This handy guide gives prospective students and advisors alike all of the basic information about education and careers in podiatric medicine, as well as a cover featuring a series of interesting facts about the foot and podiatry as a whole.
- American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
Application Service
California Podiatry Schools
Page Summary
General Education
We recommend that all pre-health students enroll in courses that meet the particular general education requirements to help develop a broad understanding of the health professions in relation to other disciplines of study. Review our General Education Recommendations (PDF) for additional information.
