BRIEF DESCRIPTION
A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), also known as a podiatric physician or surgeon. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg.
HOW DO I BECOME A DOCTOR OF PODIATRY?
Students have to complete at least 11 years including college, medical college, and residency. Students need to complete at least 90 semester credit hours at an undergraduate institution and/or receive a Bachelor’s or advanced degree before acceptance into a podiatric medical college. A student can complete a Bachelor’s degree from any program but must have the following prerequisites in order to apply to a podiatric medical college:
- Biology – 8 semester hours
- General/Inorganic Chemistry – 8 semester hours
- Organic Chemistry – 8 semester hours
- Physics – 8 semester hours
- English – 6 semester hours
Before applying to a podiatric medical college, a student must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Typically, a student can receive a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree in four years. After graduation students are encouraged to pursue a residency program
What will I learn in school?
In a podiatric medical college students will take advanced science classes such as:
- Biology, Anatomy, and genetics
- As well as participating in labs focusing on the lower extremity
Students will also participate in clinical rotations and clerkships
LIFE AFTER GRADUATION
Licenses and Certifications:
After completing the education requirements, graduates must pass either the
- American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery certification or
- The American Board of Podiatric Medicine certification
Continuing education is typically required for Podiatrists to keep their license
WORK SCHEDULE
Most podiatrists will work regular office hours. Podiatrists may work in a group practice setting or with other specialists or have their own practice. They may also work in outpatient care centers, clinics, or in public or private hospitals.
SALARY INFORMATION
On average the yearly podiatrist salary is more than $100.000.
LOUISIANA SCHOOLS
There is no podiatric medical school in Louisiana. Below is a list of the podiatric medical colleges in the US:
Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine
Miami Shores, FL
http://www.barry.edu/podiatry
California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA
http://www.samuelmerritt.edu/podiatric_medicine
Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Des Moines, IA
http://www.dmu.edu/cpms/
Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
Independence, OH
http://www2.kent.edu/cpm/
Midwestern University Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine
Glendale, AZ
https://www.midwestern.edu
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
New York, NY
http://www.nycpm.edu
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at the Rosalind Franklin
University of Medicine and Science
North Chicago, IL
http://www.rosalindfranklin.edu
Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
Philadelphia, PA
http://podiatry.temple.edu
Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine
Pomona, CA
http://www.westernu.edu
PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES:
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
15850 Crabbs Branch Way, Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20855
(301) 948-9760
www.aacpm.org
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
9312 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-581-9200
apma.org