Podiatric Medicine at John Carroll University

Podiatric medicine is a branch of the medical sciences devoted to the study of human movement with the medical care of the foot and ankle as its primary focus. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders resulting from injury or disease. A DPM makes independent judgments, prescribes medications and when necessary performs surgery.

It is estimated that the number of podiatrists needed in the next 15 years to serve the population and fill vacancies created through retirement will require more than doubling the number of currently practicing podiatrists. Podiatric physicians are licensed in all 50 states. While some schools may accept a limited number of students after three years of undergraduate education, over 95% of those entering podiatric medical school have the bachelors degree. After completing four years of podiatric medical education, the podiatrist is required by most states to complete at least one year of postgraduate residency training in an approved health care institution where residents from other disciplines may also be training. Increasingly Doctors of Podiatric Medicine are specializing in orthopedic surgery of the foot, diabetic care, and sports medicine. With the increasing number of years added to the average life span, foot and ankle care has demanded more medical attention and contributed to the work load of podiatric physicians.

There are 7 schools of podiatric medicine in the continental U.S. including one in Ohio (Cleveland), one in Illinois (Chicago), one in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) and one in New York (New York City). All applicants to schools of podiatric medicine are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). 

The minimum, specific requirements for all the colleges of podiatric medicine are the same as for allopathic & osteopathic medicine:

– two semesters of Biology (for majors) with labs

– two semesters of General Chemistry (for majors) with labs

– two semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs

– two semesters of Physics with labs

– one - two semesters of math (Calculus if the Physics courses are Calculus based)

Additional science courses can enhance an applicant’s performance on the MCAT and also provide a stronger foundation for the first year of professional education.

For further information or questions contact , Dr. Gwendolyn Kinebrew, Chair  of Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-1971 (e-mail: gkinebrew@jcu.edu), or Miss Nichole Carter, Department Assistant, Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-4249 (e-mail: ncarter@jcu.edu).