PRE-PODIATRIC MEDICAL: ACADEMIC AND CAREER

INFORMATION
Health Professions Advising Office (HPAO) Jensen Student Access to Science (SAS) and Mathematics
Center Location: Hall of Science Building Room 164 Phone: (562) 9858061 Website: www.csulb.edu/hpao

NATURE OF THE WORK, EARNINGS, AND OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK

Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), also known as Podiatrists, are podiatric physicians or surgeons who
diagnose and treat conditions effecting the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg (American Podiatric
Medical Association, 2015). Podiatrists are specialized to prevent, diagnose, and treat ailments of the foot
including disorders, diseases, and injuries. DPMs are defined as physicians by the federal government (and most
states) and make independent judgments, diagnose, perform surgery, administer medications, and prescribe
physical therapy regimens. Practitioners can focus on a particular area of podiatric medicine such as surgery,
sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, and primary care. DPMs often detect serious
health problems because a number of diseases manifest first through symptoms of the lower extremities (i.e.,
diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or kidney disease). The demands for the skills of Podiatrists are increasing as
disorders of the foot and ankle are among the most widespread and overlooked health problems
(www.explorehealthcareers.org). Students interested in pursuing a DPM should consider a number of factors
including the lifestyle offered by a career in podiatric medicine. Because there is a demand for podiatrists that
exceeds the supply, the earnings of a podiatrist are high. In addition to desirable salaries, a podiatrist can also
enjoy a flexible lifestyle. When comparing to other medical specialties, podiatry offers more options in practice
structure. Those who seek a fastpaced, engaging atmosphere in a hospital emergency room and those looking
for a more relaxed, familyfriendly schedule can both thrive in the field of podiatry (APMA, 2015).

There are an estimated 15,000 podiatrists practicing in the U.S. (Board of Podiatric Medicine). Though earnings
vary according to number of years in practice, type of practice, geographical location, and specialty, podiatrists
enjoy very high earnings. Podiatrists earned a median net income of $134,414, (EHC). Podiatrists in partnerships
tended to earn more than their colleagues in solo practice (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2015). The
Occupational Outlook Handbook, reports that employment of podiatrists is expected to increase by 23 % from
2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Because of the rising number of injuries
sustained by a more active and increasingly older population, those who are severely overweight, and Americans
who are diagnosed with diabetes, more people will turn to podiatrists creating an increase in demand for
podiatrists (OOH, 2015).

PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION

There are nine colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States (2 in CA) that are accredited by the Council on
Podiatric Medical Education. All of the colleges grant the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
DPMs receive medical education and training comparable to medical doctors, which usually require four years of
graduate coursework. The first two years are devoted largely to classroom instruction and laboratory work in

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the basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and
pathology. During the third and fourth years, students concentrate on courses in clinical sciences, gaining
experience in the college clinics, community clinics, and accredited hospitals. Clinical courses include but are
not limited to general diagnosis, dermatology, general medicine, podiatric surgery, trauma, and biomechanics
(American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, 2015). After four years of study and receiving the
DPM degree, doctors can begin a postdoctoral residency program to further strengthen and refine the
practitioners area of specialty. Residency programs usually last two or more years and are based in accredited
hospitals. Practioners can focus on many different specialty areas within the field of podiatry, including surgery,
sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, or primary care (AACPM, 2015).

Most practicing podiatrists are board certified. According to APMA (2015), certification is considered to be an
earned credential for those podiatric physicians who have achieved certain levels of skill and ability based upon
completion of specific advanced training and clinical experience and examination. The American Board of
Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine (ABPOPPM) is the certifying board for the specialty
areas of podiatric orthopedics and primary podiatric medicine. The American Board of Podiatric Surgery
(ABPS) is the certifying board for the specialty area of foot and ankle surgery.

PRE-PODIATRIC MEDICAL PREPARATION:

Although most schools require a minimum of 3 years or 90 semester hours at an accredited undergraduate
college or university, over 97% of all firstyear students entering the colleges of podiatric medicine possess
baccalaureate degrees and about 10% have advanced degrees. Potential podiatric medical students may be
evaluated on the basis of their grade point average (GPA), performance on the MCAT (or DAT, depending on
the school), extracurricular and community activities, personal interview, professional potential, etc. Due to the
competitive nature of the podiatric medical school application process and rigorous training required, students
should carefully consider their motivation and preparation for a career in podiatric medicine. In Fall 2013, a
total of 631 applicants entered podiatric medical schools. The entering class had an average science GPA of 3.2,
an average nonscience GPA of 3.5 and an average overall GPA of 3.3. The average MCAT score was a 21.2
(AACPM, 2015).

MAJOR

Any major is appropriate for podiatric medical school preparation. While a natural science major requires many
of the same basic prerequisites, selecting a natural science major is not required for admission to any podiatric
medical school. Students are advised to select a major they find interesting and to work at developing a broad
based, interdisciplinary foundation of knowledge and skills from which they can build upon.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PODIATRIC MEDICAL SCHOOLS:

Admission criteria may vary slightly by institution; therefore, contact the school and college of your choice to
obtain specific requirements. Students maintain responsibility for verifying course selection with individual
programs.
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CSULB courses which fulfill admission requirements for most U.S. DPM programs:

Premedical Coursework CSULB Courses

One year of General Chemistry with lab
One year of Organic Chemistry with lab
One year of General Biology with lab
One year of General Physics with lab
One year of English (Composition & Literature
preferred) ***
Chemistry 111A & 111B
Chemistry 220A & 220B + 320L
(Chemistry/Biochemistry majors) OR 220A w/ 223A
& 220B w/ 223B (Biology and other majors)
Biology 211 & 212 & 213*
Physics 100A & 100B OR 151 & 152 & 254**
English 100 AND another course from the English
department such as: 102, 180, 300 (some schools MAY
take equivalent courses)

*Required (at Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine) or Highly Recommended
** Recommended for MCAT
*** California School of Podiatric Medicine requires 8 semester hours of English/Communication studies

Strongly Recommended (required at some schools)

Premedical Coursework CSULB Courses

One (or more) course in Biochemistry (MCAT) Chemistry 441A and/or 441B or 448
Genetics Biology 370
Mammalian Physiology Biology 342
Anatomy (check with the school) Biology 207
Microbiology Microbiology 211
One semester to one year of Calculus Math 119A & 119B OR 122 & 123*
Social and Behavioral Sciences (MCAT) Sociology 100 and Psychology 100 (MCAT 2015)
*Recommended but not required at College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery at Des Moines University

Courses in the Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, and computer skills are also recommended.

PLEASE NOTE: Some schools may not accept AP units toward the satisfaction of stated prerequisite
courses contact the program of your choice to find out more information about AP units.

IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION:

CLINICAL EXPOSURE is strongly recommended for admission to most podiatric medical schools. This can
include a paid or volunteer position in a doctors office, local clinic, or a hospital. Most hospitals and clinics
gladly accept volunteers (contact the volunteer services office at your local hospital for more information).
Podiatric medical school admission committees want to know that you have the desire and ability to work with
patients. The successful participation in clinical volunteer or job experience can demonstrate this. Note:
Podiatric medical schools may highly value experience with a Podiatrist. Visit
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http://www.aacpm.org/contactpod/default.asp to connect to a Podiatrist mentor who can answer questions about
the practice of podiatric medicine, welcome you to visit their offices, and allow you to shadow them as they
practice on a daily basis. This oneonone relationship is a great way to determine if this is the right career
choice for you!

COMMUNITY SERVICE experience is also highly valued by podiatric medical schools. Future podiatrists
should be able to demonstrate compassion and a willingness to give back to their communities. Getting involved
in community service efforts on and off campus that are of interest to you can enhance your application to
podiatric schools. CSULB has a number of academic, service, and health professions organizations to join.

WORK EXPERIENCE can also be valuable in demonstrating your potential to succeed in podiatric medical
school. Past success in a work environment can reveal meaningful information to admissions committees.
Depending on the setting, work experience can develop and showcase a variety of skills including
communication (oral and/or written) time management, and problem solving.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION are required for application to podiatric medical school. The purpose of
the letters is to provide schools with an impression of the applicant from respected academicians or persons who
are in a position to observe the applicants work as it relates to the study of podiatric medicine. Students are
encouraged to create and maintain positive contacts with prospective recommenders early in their academic
career. Check individual program admission requirements for specific information about number and types of
letters required for each program. Most schools will only accept letters of recommendation through Interfolio
check the individuals schools requirements (AACPM, 2015).

MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST (MCAT):

The MCAT has changed as of the spring of 2015. The new Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) 2015 is a
standardized exam consisting of four multiple choice sections (the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of
Living Systems section, the Chemical and Physical Foundation of Biological Systems , the Psychological,
Social, and Biological Foundation of Behavior Section , and the Critical Analysis and Reasonings Skills
section).

Before attempting the MCAT, students should have completed at least one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic
chemistry, and physics, as well as one semester of biochemistry. In addition, students should also complete general
sociology and psychology courses as this is a new section added to the MCAT. It is highly recommended, that you take
the MCAT in the spring before you apply.

There are many resources on the AAMC website on how to prepare, where to resources, and also information about the
Fee Assistance Program (FAP). The total seat time including breaks is 7 hours, 30 minutes. The current registration fee
is $300. Visit https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/ for important information about the MCAT.

Note: the DAT and GRE are also accepted as an alternate standardized exam by a few schools. Check each
schools website for information about standardized exams.

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APPLICATION

The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS) is a webbased
centralized application service which allows students to apply to all nine podiatric medical schools and colleges
with one application. There are no supplemental application forms or fees required in addition to the
AACPMAS. AACPMAS begins processing applications the first Wednesday in August for fall admissions the
following year. Deadline dates are as follows: April 1st for priority consideration and the final deadline is June
30th for the fall semester (http://www.aacpm.org/html/careerzone/require.asp).

See your HPAO advisor for more information on Podiatric Medicine, the application process and
assistance, and a list of upcoming workshops and events.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

1. American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)

a. www.apma.org/careers or www.todayspodiatrist.com

2. American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)

a. www.aacpm.org or 1-301-948-9760

3. The Nine Colleges of Podiatric Medicine:

a. http://www.cpme.org/colleges/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2425&navItemNumber=2240&RDtoke
n=59957&userID=

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