Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Pre-Podiatry


A podiatric physician (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, DPM) is an independent health care provider who is qualified by training and education to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and disorders of the foot, ankle, and related leg structures known as the lower extremity. The podiatric physician uses the full range of diagnostic, medical and surgical treatment modalities and works closely with other health professionals to treat and control disease. The podiatrist is found in urban as well as rural practice sites and may be associated with multi-specialty clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and professional sports.

In general, schools of podiatry require up to 90 semester hours of prerequisite coursework and the majority of the podiatry students have their Bachelor’s degree. The student is free to major in any area of interest. The pre-podiatry curriculum requires one year each of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and mathematics along with coursework in English, humanities and the social sciences. A pre-podiatry student at USD should use the suggested curriculum for the pre-medicine program as a guide. The pre-podiatry curriculum offers basic required courses but the student should contact the individual college of podiatry about requirements specific to that school. The student should consult with an advisor to help plan a course of study that complies with the requirements for admission to the school of podiatry of the student’s choice.

Admission to a College of Podiatry may require the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general and science subjective tests. The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS) maintains a central application process for Colleges of Podiatric Medicine

For more information about podiatric medicine contact: American Association of Podiatric Medicine (http://www.aacpm.org); Academic & Career Planning Center, 677-5381; Health Professions Advisors, 605-658-6326 or 658-6334, or by visiting the following web site: http://www.usd.edu/admissions.

John Dudley
College of Arts & Sciences/Associate Dean for Academics
Arts & Sciences 110
605.677.5221
John.Dudley@usd.edu

Travis Ahlers, BSEd
Health Sciences/Pre-Professional Advisor
Lee Medical Room 221
605.658.6334
Travis.Ahlers@usd.edu

Audrey Ticknor, RDH, MA
Health Sciences Major Advisor/Instructor
Pre-Professional Advisor
Lee Medical Room 207
605.658.6326 Office
605.677.6745 Fax
Audrey.Ticknor@usd.edu