Academics
There are nine schools and colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States. All nine schools require the same or similar prerequisite courses for admissions. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), taken before application, covers a broad range of topics. Pre-podiatry students should work with a PMHSC pre-med advisor to include the courses that both meet prerequisites requirements and teach MCAT content into their plan of work. The courses below do not constitute a major or minor. If you are looking for suggestions while choosing a major or minor, you might find this blog article, 'Students: How do I pick a major?' or the Suggested Pre-Health Minors document helpful.
A full list of podiatric medical education programs (and program websites) in the US can be found on the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine website.
Biology
Two courses of biology with lab.
| BIO 1500/1501 - Basic Life Diversity + Lab | 4 cr. |
| BIO 1510/1511 - Basic Life Mechanisms + Lab | 4 cr. |
*Upper-level biology for MCAT content.
| BIO 2600 - Introduction to Cell Biology | 4 cr. |
| BIO 3100 - Cellular Biochemistry | 3 cr. |
| BIO 3200 - Human Physiology | 3 cr. |
*Additional upper-level biology courses are recommended. Speak with your advisor for specific recommendations.
Chemistry
Two semesters of general chemistry with lab and two semesters of organic chemistry with lab.
| CHM 1100/1130 - General Chemistry I + Lab | 5 cr. |
| CHM 1140/1150 - General Chemistry II + Lab | 5 cr. |
| CHM 1240/1250 - Organic Chemistry I + Lab | 5 cr. |
| CHM 2220/2230 - Organic Chemistry II + Lab | 5 cr. |
English
Two semesters of English composition.
| ENG 1020 - Introductory College Writing | 3 cr. |
| AFS/ENG 2390 - Introduction to African-American Literature: Writing about Texts | 3 cr. |
| OR | |
| *ENG 3010 - Intermediate Writing | 3 cr. |
| OR | |
| ENG 3020 - Writing and Community | 3 cr. |
| OR | |
| ENG 3050 - Technical Communication I: Reports | 3 cr. |
*ENG 3010 is recommended to fill the IC General Education Requirement.
*Please note: The California School of Podiatric Medicine requires 8 credit hours of English.
Physics
Two semesters of physics with lab.
| PHY 2130/2131 - Physics for the Life Sciences I + Lab | 5 cr. |
| PHY 2140/2141 - Physics for the Life Sciences II + Lab | 5 cr. |
| OR | |
| PHY 2170/2171 - University Physics for Scientists I + Lab | 5 cr. |
| PHY 2180/2181 - University Physics for Scientists II + Lab | 5 cr. |
Getting a pre-podiatry plan of work
Pre-med advisors will work with students and their assigned major advisors to design a plan of work that includes both the courses needed to apply to podiatry school and degree requirements. Pre-podiatry students should see their major advisor first and attend a Pre-Med Essentials Session BEFORE scheduling an appointment with a pre-med advisor.