The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
The Doctor of Podiatric
Medicine (D.P.M.) specializes in the treatment, diagnosis, and
prevention of diseases associated with foot movement and the ankle.
A D.P.M. uses his or her extensive knowledge and training to detect
problems in the lower extremities, make independent decisions
regarding rehabilitation, and perform surgical procedures.
Podiatrists work in a variety of settings that include hospitals,
foot clinics, and independent practices. These doctors are educated
in state-of-the-art techniques involving physical medicine,
rehabilitation, orthopedics, surgery and dermatology.
How to Get
into Podiatric Medical College
Program of Study. After
four years of study at an accredited podiatric medical college, the
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine receives the D.P.M. The first two years
center around classroom and laboratory instruction while the
remaining two years focus on clinical sciences and patient care.
Most prospective podiatrists seek postdoctoral residency positions,
but graduates of podiatric medical colleges may choose to enter into
practice immediately after matriculation.
Admissions. Students
who are interested in the basic sciences and would like to become an
integral member of the health care profession should consider a
career in podiatric medicine. Students need a minimum of three
academic years in any major at an accredited college or university
for entrance into a podiatric school. Interested students should
contact a college directly. However, all applicants must process
their primary application through the AACPMAS service. AACPMAS also
compiles applicant scores from the Medical College Admission Test.
New applications, distributed in September, request biographical
information including academic coursework, extracurricular
activities, and MCAT scores. Students need to s end official
transcripts directly from the all undergraduate colleges of
attendance to the college of podiatric medicine. Each podiatric
college will forward supplemental information to the applicant. This
supplemental information will include a request for letters of
evaluation from faculty members and often a podiatrist.
The Interview.
Interviews will be granted to qualified applicants. The admissions
committee conducts the interview, a valuable tool for evaluating
applicants. In the inter view, the student can demonstrate his or
her knowledge of the podiatric field, elaborate on information
included in the application, and ask questions about the school.
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