Pre-Podiatry

Pre-Professional Programs at UT Tyler

Overview

There are currently nine colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States. Texas does not have a podiatric medical school. Successful completion of one of these programs leads to a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree. Many of these programs are affiliated and either partially or fully integrated with an MD or DO school.

The education consists of two years of basic science/general medicine courses followed by two years of clinical rotations, similar to regular medical school. These rotations are done in non-hospital based clinics as well as major hospitals and deal with general medicine, basic podiatric medicine and podiatric surgery. Research opportunities for medical students are available during these four years.

DPM students take the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiner's (NBPME) boards and match for podiatric medicine and surgery (PM&S) residencies. Applications for colleges of podiatric medicine are handled through the AACPM. Podiatrists may practice in all of the U.S. states. Podiatry schools are somewhat easier to get into than MD and DO schools due to lower average GPA and (no) MCAT requirements. However, admission is still somewhat competitive.

Residency

During the fourth year, students participate in the podiatric residency match and scramble. Applications for residency are handled through the Central Application Service for Podiatric Residencies (CASPR). Applicants interview at centralized regional interview program (CRIP) locations. These usually consist of an East, Central and West CRIP location. While all residency programs are members of CASPR, a few programs do not attend CRIP interviews and interview separately after the CRIP dates.

Podiatric residencies are two-three years long and are termed Podiatric Medicine & Surgery 24 (PM&S-24) and Podiatric Medicine & Surgery 36 (PM&S-36) programs. DPMs rotate through various medical specialties and are trained in podiatric medicine, forefoot, rearfoot and ankle surgery.

These accredited podiatric medical schools are represented by the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM). The AACPM also oversees the AACPMAS. Most podiatric medical schools require students to take the MCAT, but some will allow students to take the DAT or GRE.

The MCAT is overseen by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). The DAT is overseen by the American Dental Association (ADA). The GRE is overseen by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

• Testimonials from podiatrists and podiatric medical students

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the annual average salary of a podiatrist (2011 data) is $116,200.

Prerequisites: See each School of Podiatry for their specific requirements for admission. Most prerequisites are the same as for medical school.

For more information or questions concerning courses at UT Tyler that will fulfill podiatry school prerequisites, please contact:

Dr. Rachel Mason
Chief Health Professions Advisor & JAMP Faculty Director
Associate Professor of Chemistry & Assistant Chair
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd
Tyler, Texas 75799
Office: RBS 3002
Phone: 903.565.5641

Marti Halbrook, MS
Assistant Director, of Academy of Future Health Professionals
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd
Tyler, Texas 75799
Office CAS 132
Phone: 903.566.7193