Podiatric Medical School commonly referred to as "Podiatry School" is the term used to designate the institutions which educate students and train them to be a podiatrist, graduating with one of the following degrees: (D.P.M., D.P., B.Pod., Pod.B, or Pod.D.).

Contents 1 United States 1.1 Residency 1.2 Accreditation and Governing Bodies 1.3 Schools 2 Notes 3 See also

[edit] United States

Podiatric medical education in the United States consist of four years of graduate education with the first two focusing primarily upon the sciences and the last two focusing upon clinical and externship experience.^[1] After successful completion of these four years of education, students are granted a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree.

[edit] Residency

In order to enhance the progression from student doctor to competent podiatric physician, graduates are required to complete a two or three year residency program before practicing podiatric medicine.^[2] Each individual residency program must be approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association. The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine provides a complete list of approved Podiatric Residency Programs.

[edit] Accreditation and Governing Bodies

All podiatric medical schools in the United States are accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education.^[3] The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine is in charge of governing many aspects of Podiatric Medical Education including a mentor network, a centralized application service for prospective students, the Central Application Service for Podiatric Residencies (CASPR), and the Centralized Residency Interview Program (CRIP).^[4] In addition, students are represented by the American Podiatric Medical Student's Association. Each school is also accredited by their respective state and/or regional accrediting association.

[edit] Schools

There are nine podiatric medical schools in the United States. Seven of the nine podiatric medical schools in the United States are affiliated with colleges or universities, while the remaining two continue to exist as independent academic institutions. Three programs are fully integrated with DO medical programs, Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Arizona Podiatric Medicine Program at Midwestern University (AZPOD), and the College of Podiatric Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences, while at one program, (Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University), the students take several classes with MD students.

The nine podiatric medical schools in the U.S. are:

• Arizona Podiatric Medicine Program at Midwestern University AZPOD Website
• Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine BUSPM Website
• California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University CSPM Website
• Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery CPMS Website
• New York College of Podiatric Medicine NYCPM Website
• Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine OCPM Website
• Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University SCPM Website
• Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine TUSPM Website
• College of Podiatric Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences WesternU Website

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta is currently developing a business plan to establish the first podiatric medical school in Canada by 2012.^[5]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ "What does the Curriculum Consist of at the Colleges of Podiatric Medicine?", AACPM
2. ^ "Residencies", AACPM
3. ^ "Council on Podiatric Medical Education"
4. ^ "About AACPM", AACPM
5. ^ "Academic Plan 2007-2012", University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

[edit] See also