Podiatric Medicine

A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), known also as a podiatric physician surgeon, is qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. When treating patients, this system is also known as the lower extremity. Podiatric physicians are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the lower extremity based on their education, training, and expertise. Podiatrists are defined as physicians by the federal government. Read through the tabs below to learn more about pursuing a career in podiatric medicine and the next steps to take.

• Typical Responsibilities
  Prescribe medication designed to treat specific foot and ankle ailments.
  Perform complex surgery and simple inpatient procedure such as excising a toenail.
  Treat diabetic patients, children, athletes, and the elderly.
  Imaging a broken bone using the latest radiological instruments.
  Conduct research or collect data for clinical trials.
  Teaching/training residents or students rotating in clerkships.
• Experience and Exposure
  Most Schools and Colleges require applicants to shadow a DPM prior to applying or gaining admissions. The AACPM is works to create shadowing opportunities for undergraduate students interested in obtaining insight into the practice of a podiatric physician. Step Into Podiatry is a matching service, designed to place students with DPMs near where they live or go to school.
• Prerequisite Coursework
  A complete list of prerequisite courses is available on the AAPM website.
• Standardized Test(s)
  All applicants are required to submit an official Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
• Letters of Recommendation
  Each School or College of Podiatric Medicine determines its preference for the type or number of letters of recommendation. Specific program information can be found in the Podiatric College Information Book.
• The Admissions Cycle
  There is a Centralized Application Process (AACPMAS) that all podiatric medicine schools (9) participate in.

  Application opens and can be submitted: first Wednesday in August

  Priority Deadline: April 1

  Fees: The initial application to AACPMAS is $185. There is an additional $60 fee for each additional submission. The AACPM does not offer any fee waivers.

  AACPM has created an Applicant Help Center to aid the application process