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Podiatric Medicine - D.P.M.

Our Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose, treat and prevent foot and ankle disorders. With a comprehensive curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities and experienced faculty, you'll be prepared to make a difference in patients' lives.

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Doctoral Degree in Podiatric Medicine

Graduates of Â鶹´«Ã½'s Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine program embark on diverse and rewarding careers as podiatric physicians and surgeons. Armed with comprehensive knowledge and hands-on training, our alumni excel in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, sports medicine clinics and private practices. Many choose to specialize in areas such as diabetic foot care, foot and ankle surgery, and podopediatrics, showcasing the breadth and depth of their expertise and the wide range of patients they can serve.

Program Information for Podiatric Medicine - D.P.M.

Program Description

Full Description

The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree prepares students for the podiatric medicine field. The podiatric physician is a health professional who is involved with examination, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders by physical, medical and surgical means. A podiatric medicine doctor is trained to detect the signs of systemic disease which may appear first in the lower extremity, such as diabetes or circulatory disorders. When such diagnoses are made, the podiatric physician consults with the patient's family doctor concerning the systemic disease.

A career in podiatric medicine can include the areas of primary care, surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, geriatrics and pediatrics.

Podiatric Medicine students have the opportunity to combine the D.P.M. degree with either the or degree and double count courses toward both degrees.

Admissions for Podiatric Medicine - D.P.M.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Kent State's College of Podiatric Medicine participates in the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS). Candidates to Kent State's D.P.M. degree apply and submit materials to AACPMAS.

  • Minimum 90 semester credit hours (or minimum 135 quarter hours) of undergraduate coursework, including the following prerequisites:
    • 6 semester credit hours (or 9 quarter credit hours) of English
    • 8 semester credit hours (or 12 quarter credit hours) each of biology, physics, organic chemistry and general/inorganic chemistry1
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)2 or Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores
  • Two letters of recommendation:
    • one letter from a faculty member, advisor or composite letter from a pre-medical advisory committee
    • one a letter from a doctor of podiatric medicine or other medical professional
  • Interview
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:3
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score

Nearly all of entering D.P.M. students will have earned a bachelor’s or advanced degree prior to matriculation; however, students may be granted admission with the required undergraduate coursework (90 semester credit hours or 135 quarter credit hours) and prerequisites completed.

See the on Technical Standards and Essential Requirements for Student Education in the College of Podiatric Medicine.

1

All science coursework must include labs, when applicable. In addition, the following classes are recommended: biochemistry, histology, anatomy and physiology, neurobiology and microbiology.

2

Scores must be within three years of the application date. Candidates may apply to the D.P.M. degree before taking the MCAT; however, the college will not be able to take final admissions action until official MCAT scores are received by the application service (AACPMAS). Candidates should plan on taking the MCAT no later than May of the year they plan to matriculate.

3

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadline

  • Fall Semester
    • Final deadline: June 30
      Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.
Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to recall and apply current and emerging knowledge of human structure, function, development, pathology, pathophysiology and psychosocial development to patient care.
  2. Provide effective patient-centered care that is compassionate and appropriate for prevention and treatment of medical conditions, which promotes overall health with special emphasis on the lower extremity.
  3. Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families and health professionals.
  4. Demonstrate professionalism in medicine.
  5. Apply scientific methods and utilize clinical and translational research to further the understanding of contemporary podiatric medicine and its application to patient care.
  6. Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call on other resources to provide optimal and cost-effective health care.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of common societal problems (e.g., issues of addiction or abuse) and their impact on patients.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
CMD 80326PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 3
CMD 80327HEALTHCARE LAW AND REGULATION 3
GMD 80121PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS 3
GMD 80216SECOND YEAR MEDICINE I 4
GMD 80217SECOND YEAR MEDICINE II 4
GMD 80314NEUROLOGY 2
GMD 80315DERMATOLOGY 2
GMD 80316MEDICINE I 4
GMD 80326MEDICINE II 4
GMD 80327BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE 1
GMD 80328WOMEN'S HEALTH 1
ORT 80131BIOMECHANICS I 3
ORT 80132REHABILITATIVE MEDICINE 2
ORT 80325SPORTS MEDICINE 2
PCS 80109HUMAN ANATOMY 6
PCS 80110EMBRYOLOGY 2
PCS 80112CELL AND TISSUE 5
PCS 80113STAYING ALIVE 5
PCS 80118MEDICAL GENETICS 2
PCS 80121NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEMS 5
PCS 80122CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM 3
PCS 80123RENAL AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS 3
PCS 80124LOWER EXTREMITY ANATOMY 8
PCS 80128MEDICAL MICROBIO/IMMUNOLOGY 6
PCS 80218HUMAN SYSTEMS PATHOLOGY I 8
PCS 80219PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS I 4
PCS 80228HUMAN SYSTEMS PATHOLOGY II 8
PCS 80229PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS II 4
PMD 80113MEDICAL ETHICS 1
PMD 80114PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL RESEARCH 1
PMD 80117PODIATRY, PROFESSIONALISM AND SOCIETY I 1
PMD 80132LOW EXTREMITY ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS 2
PMD 80133INTRODUCTION MEDICAL IMAGING 1
PMD 80211PODIATRIC MEDICINE I 2
PMD 80221PODIATRIC MEDICINE II 2
PMD 80222PODIATRIC MEDICAL SKILLS 2
PMD 80317PODIATRY, PROFESSIONALISM AND SOCIETY III 1
PMD 80318PEDIATRICS 2
PMD 80417PODIATRY, PROFESSIONALISM AND SOCIETY IV 4
SUR 80221INTRODUCTION TO PODIATRIC SURGERY 2
SUR 80313PODIATRIC SURGERY 2
SUR 80323PODIATRIC SURGERY 2
SUR 80325TRAUMATOLOGY 2
Clinical Requirements
Second-Year Clinical Option1
CLI 80200
STANDARDIZED PATIENTS ROTATION 1
Third-Year Clinical Options 236
CLI 80311
WOUND CARE
CLI 80312
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY I
CLI 80313
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY II
CLI 80315
SURGICAL SKILLS WORKSHOP
CLI 80320
RADIOLOGY ROTATION
CLI 80351
PODIATRIC MEDICINE/BIOMECHANICS (EUCLID)
CLI 80352
PODIATRIC MEDICINE/BIOMECHANICS (INDEPENDENCE)
CLI 80365
PRIMARY CARE/VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
CLI 80380
SIMULATED PATIENTS I
CLI 80381
SIMULATED PATIENTS II
Third-Year Summer Clinical Options 34-8
CLI 80311
WOUND CARE
CLI 80312
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY I
CLI 80313
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY II
CLI 80315
SURGICAL SKILLS WORKSHOP
CLI 80320
RADIOLOGY ROTATION
CLI 80351
PODIATRIC MEDICINE/BIOMECHANICS (EUCLID)
CLI 80352
PODIATRIC MEDICINE/BIOMECHANICS (INDEPENDENCE)
CLI 80365
PRIMARY CARE/VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
CLI 80380
SIMULATED PATIENTS I
CLI 80381
SIMULATED PATIENTS II
CLI 80443
SENIOR CLINICAL ROTATION
CLI 80460
CLERKSHIP ROTATION I
CLI 80521
SENIOR MEDICINE ROTATION I
Fourth-Year Clinical Options 3,428-32
CLI 80443
SENIOR CLINICAL ROTATION
CLI 80460
CLERKSHIP ROTATION I
CLI 80465
CLERKSHIP ROTATION II
CLI 80470
CLERKSHIP ROTATION III
CLI 80475
CLERKSHIP ROTATION IV
CLI 80480
CLERKSHIP ROTATION V
CLI 80485
CLERKSHIP ROTATION VI
CLI 80521
SENIOR MEDICINE ROTATION I
CLI 80522
SENIOR MEDICINE ROTATION II
Fourth-Year Summer Clinical Options 3,40-4
CLI 80443
SENIOR CLINICAL ROTATION
CLI 80460
CLERKSHIP ROTATION I
CLI 80465
CLERKSHIP ROTATION II
CLI 80470
CLERKSHIP ROTATION III
CLI 80475
CLERKSHIP ROTATION IV
CLI 80480
CLERKSHIP ROTATION V
CLI 80485
CLERKSHIP ROTATION VI
CLI 80521
SENIOR MEDICINE ROTATION I
CLI 80522
SENIOR MEDICINE ROTATION II
Minimum Total Credit Hours:203
1

Students take 1 credit hour of CLI 80200 in either fall or spring semester.

2

Students take 36 credit hours of third-year clinical in either fall or spring semester and follow a class rotation.

3

Students are separated into groups with a different rotation each month. Students are permitted to take one clerkship month off as an elective month. CLI 80486 and CLI 80487 are elective clerkship rotations available to students who wish to gain further clinical experience on top of the required six clerkship rotations. Please note, once a student registers for these electives, the required minimum total credit hours for the student will increase by 4 credit hours for each elective. PMD 80495 may be available for students to take as an elective on top of the program requirements.

4

For the fourth-year clinical, students take courses not taken during their third-year summer term.

Program Notes

  • Students placed in Pathway I (due to one failure on the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination, APMLE Part I) are required to take PCS 80001, increasing the minimum total credit hours by 5 credit hours. Students not taking APMLE Part I on the first attempt are also required to take this course.
  • Students placed in Pathway II (due to two failures on the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination, APMLE Part I) are required to take PCS 80002, increasing the minimum total credit hours by 5 credit hours. Students not taking APMLE Part I on the second attempt are also required to take this course.
  • GMD 80205 is an elective open to all second-year students. Please note, once students register for this course, the required minimum number of credit hours increases by one credit hour.

Progression Requirements

Students whose first semester of coursework in the D.P.M. degree is fall 2016 or later are required to meet the following minimum overall GPA during the first and second year:

  • 2.500 overall GPA at the end of first year, fall semester
  • 2.500 overall GPA at the end of first year, spring semester
  • 2.500 overall GPA at the end of first year, summer term
  • 2.500 overall GPA at the end of second year, fall semester
  • 2.400 overall GPA at the end of second year, spring semester

Students falling below the minimum overall GPA following their first year (fall, spring and summer) or their second year (fall semester) are required to participate in mandatory academic counseling. Students below the minimum 2.400 overall GPA at the end of their second year (spring semester) will be academically dismissed with the right to appeal for reinstatement, provided that the student has not previously been dismissed (academic or otherwise) from the College of Podiatric Medicine.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 2.400

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine must have:

  • Maintained satisfactory academic performance with no grade below a C or S (satisfactory)
  • Demonstrated clinical competence through completion of the performance objectives
  • Been verified as being in good disciplinary standing
  • Satisfactorily completed all academic requirements, including all courses, clinical rotations and externship/clerkship program requirements, and the required Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) 
  • Fulfilled all responsibilities and financial obligations to the college and university
  • Demonstrated moral and mental competency to practice podiatric medicine
  • Taken and passed the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination (APMLE) Part I, and have taken (APMLE) Part II and released the score reports to the college

Attendance at the graduation ceremony is required for the degree. To be eligible for graduation in May, candidates must have met all of the above requirements by the conclusion of their fourth-year summer term.

All students must successfully complete the graduation requirements within six academic years of their initial matriculation. Exceptions for students with extenuating circumstances must have the approval of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).

There is no contract stated or implied, between the college and the students that a degree will be conferred at any stated time, or at all.

Roadmap
 

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
PCS 80109 HUMAN ANATOMY 6
PCS 80110 EMBRYOLOGY 2
PCS 80112 CELL AND TISSUE 5
PCS 80113 STAYING ALIVE 5
PCS 80118 MEDICAL GENETICS 2
PMD 80113 MEDICAL ETHICS 1
PMD 80114 PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL RESEARCH 1
PMD 80117 PODIATRY, PROFESSIONALISM AND SOCIETY I 1
 Credit Hours23
Spring Semester
PCS 80121 NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEMS 5
PCS 80122 CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM 3
PCS 80123 RENAL AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS 3
PCS 80124 LOWER EXTREMITY ANATOMY 8
PCS 80128 MEDICAL MICROBIO/IMMUNOLOGY 6
 Credit Hours25
Summer Term
ORT 80131 BIOMECHANICS I 3
ORT 80132 REHABILITATIVE MEDICINE 2
PMD 80132 LOW EXTREMITY ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS 2
PMD 80133 INTRODUCTION MEDICAL IMAGING 1
 Credit Hours8
Second Year
Fall Semester
GMD 80121 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS 3
GMD 80216 SECOND YEAR MEDICINE I 4
PCS 80218 HUMAN SYSTEMS PATHOLOGY I 8
PCS 80219 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS I 4
PMD 80211 PODIATRIC MEDICINE I 2
Second-Year Clinical Option 0-1
 Credit Hours21
Spring Semester
GMD 80217 SECOND YEAR MEDICINE II 4
PCS 80228 HUMAN SYSTEMS PATHOLOGY II 8
PCS 80229 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS II 4
PMD 80221 PODIATRIC MEDICINE II 2
PMD 80222 PODIATRIC MEDICAL SKILLS 2
SUR 80221 INTRODUCTION TO PODIATRIC SURGERY 2
Second-Year Clinical Option 0-1
 Credit Hours23
Third Year
Fall Semester
GMD 80314 NEUROLOGY 2
GMD 80315 DERMATOLOGY 2
GMD 80316 MEDICINE I 4
GMD 80327 BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE 1
GMD 80328 WOMEN'S HEALTH 1
PMD 80318 PEDIATRICS 2
SUR 80313 PODIATRIC SURGERY 2
Third-Year Clinical Options 16
 Credit Hours30
Spring Semester
CMD 80326 PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 3
CMD 80327 HEALTHCARE LAW AND REGULATION 3
GMD 80326 MEDICINE II 4
ORT 80325 SPORTS MEDICINE 2
PMD 80317 PODIATRY, PROFESSIONALISM AND SOCIETY III 1
SUR 80323 PODIATRIC SURGERY 2
SUR 80325 TRAUMATOLOGY 2
Third-Year Clinical Options 20
 Credit Hours37
Summer Term
Third-Year Summer Clinical Options 4-8
 Credit Hours4
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Fourth-Year Clinical Options 12-16
 Credit Hours12
Spring Semester
Fourth-Year Clinical Options 12-16
 Credit Hours16
Summer Term
PMD 80417 PODIATRY, PROFESSIONALISM AND SOCIETY IV 4
Fourth-Year Summer Clinical Options 0-4
 Credit Hours4
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:203
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Independence, Ohio
Accreditation for Podiatric Medicine - D.P.M.

The D.P.M. degree in Podiatric Medicine is accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

More About Admissions

Letters of Recommendation

KSUCPM requires the following letters of recommendations from an applicant:

  1. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member, advisor or a composite letter from a pre-medical advisory committee
  2. A letter of recommendation from a DPM or other medical professional

Candidates may send additional letters of recommendation, but it is not required. Candidates can send letters of recommendation through , submit them with the AACPMAS application, or mail them directly to KSUCPM. These letters may also be mailed directly to KSUCPM at:

Â鶹´«Ã½ College of Podiatric Medicine
Office of Enrollment Management
6000 Rockside Woods Blvd North
Independence, Ohio 44131

An applicant may send letters of recommendation prior to or after submitting his or her application through AACPMAS.

If you have questions about submitting your letters, please contact the Office of Admissions at 216-916-7485 or podiatry@kent.edu.

Shadowing a DPM

Applicants are strongly encouraged to have shadowing experience with a podiatric physician by the time of the application, or at the very latest, by the time of the interview.

Shadowing a DPM is invaluable for gaining insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of this medical professional, and ensuring that you are pursuing the right medical specialty.

While KSUCPM does not impose a minimum shadowing requirement for applicants, we expect that you have shadowed one or more DPMs to develop a comprehensive understanding of this medical specialty.

To facilitate your shadowing experience, visit  to find a DPM mentor near you!

Admissions Processing Information

KSUCPM is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment, where students from various backgrounds feel welcomed and supported. Once the application becomes verified, KSUCPM will notify the candidate via email of the next steps of their candidacy.

Eligible candidates will be invited to interview in person or virtually. The candidate interview holds significant weight in the admission process, as it provides an opportunity for candidates to showcase their personal qualities, communication skills, and passion for podiatric medicine.

Review application criteria and reminders here.

More About Our Podiatric Medicine Program

Curriculum and Rotations

The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program is four years long: The first two years are primarily spent in classrooms and labs while the last two years are mostly spent in clinical rotations/experiences.

Residency

Upon successful completion of four years of graduate professional education, podiatric medical graduates participate in post-graduate education and training opportunities such as the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency Program.

Combined Degrees

The College of Podiatric Medicine offers combined degree programs through partnerships with the College of Public Health (MPH/DPM degree) and the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBA/DPM degree).

Learn more about our combined programs.

FAQs

Have questions about our program? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

About the Profession

Podiatric Medicine is a unique medical specialty that combines clinical and surgical care with the ability to build lasting, meaningful patient relations. A doctor of podiatric medicine is a specialist in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lower extremity disorders, diseases and injuries. Learn more about the podiatric medicine specialty.

Careers and Salaries for Kent State's Podiatric Medicine Graduates

The rigorous education and extensive clinical experience provided at Kent State ensure that our graduates are not only highly sought after but also exceptionally prepared to make significant contributions to healthcare. Whether they are pioneering innovative treatments, leading multidisciplinary healthcare teams or delivering compassionate patient care, our alumni stand out for their excellence and dedication. Their remarkable success is a testament to the outstanding quality of education and the strong professional foundation they receive at Â鶹´«Ã½. See a listing of places and organizations where our alumni work in the accordion below.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries
  • Armed Forces
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Faculty in Health Professions Schools and Colleges
  • Foot and Ankle Physician
  • Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
  • Hospitals and Extended Care Facilities
  • Medical Device Company Lecturer, Thought Leader and Innovator
  • Medical Science Liaison
  • Municipal Health Departments
  • Pharmaceutical Industry Lecturer and Thought Leader
  • Podiatric Surgeon in an Orthopedic Surgery Practice
  • Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
  • Private or Group Medical Practice
  • Public Health Service

Supporting Resources