{"id":16849,"date":"2025-06-23T16:44:43","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T20:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/?page_id=16849"},"modified":"2025-06-23T16:44:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T20:44:44","slug":"podiatry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/podiatry\/","title":{"rendered":"Podiatry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What does a podiatrist do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), a physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg \u2026 Podiatrists can specialize in a number of sub-specialties including surgery, sports medicine, pediatrics, wound care, and diabetic care\u201d (Step Into Podiatry<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about this profession, visit the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine\u2019s (AACPM) Career Center<\/a> page on their website. Visit as well Why Podiatry?<\/a> from Step Into Podiatry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why Podiatry is Separate from Medical School<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Podiatry is a specialized branch of healthcare focused exclusively on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and lower limb. Students pursuing a career in podiatric medicine attend one of several dedicated podiatric medical schools, where they earn the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the first two years of podiatric school include many of the same foundational science courses as MD and DO programs, the curriculum is uniquely tailored to the lower extremities. Podiatric students also complete clinical rotations and a 3-year surgical residency after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Podiatry has a separate application system (AACPMAS), accreditation process, and licensing board (NBPME), which is why it is distinct from traditional medical school pathways. Podiatrists are highly trained medical professionals and often serve as specialists within hospitals and multidisciplinary care teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Choosing This Field<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When figuring out if this profession is right for you, make sure to look at various resources to inform you about career paths in podiatry, engage in self reflection regularly, and seek out relevant clinical and service experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explore what your career could be in this field and what the right fit is for you, complete Step Into Podiatry\u2019s Is Podiatry Right for Me?<\/a> quiz and read their Testimonials<\/a>. We also encourage you to explore the AACPM\u2019s College Information Book.pdf<\/a> and Student Brochure.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the required preparation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no required major for pre-podiatry students\u2014people are welcome to explore their major options<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prerequisite coursework is as follows (note that all science courses require a lab component):<\/p>\n\n\n\n