A podiatric physician (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or 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 a Bachelor’s degree. The student is free pursue a 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 for 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, 605-658-3600; Health Professions Advisors, 605-658-6334, or by visiting the following web site: http://www.usd.edu/admissions.
Brittany Schultz
Health Sciences/Pre-Professional Advisor
ID Weeks Library 101A
605.658.6334
Brittany.Schultz@usd.edu
Amy Nelson
Health Sciences Major
Program Director
Julian Hall 217
605.658.5951
Amy.M.Nelson@usd.edu
