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; upper-level biology for MCAT content* 

• BIO 1500 and 1501 Basic Life Diversity 4 credits 
• BIO 1510 and 15100 BAsic Life Mechanisms 4 credits 
• BIO 2600 Introduction to Cell Biology 4 credits* 
• BIO 3100 Biochemistry 3 credits* 
• BIO 3200 Human Physiology 3 credits* 
• Additional upper-level biology courses recommended  

Chemistry  

Two semesters of general chemistry with lab; two semesters of organic chemistry with lab 

• CHM 1100 and 1130 General Chemistry 1 5 credits 
• CHM 1140 and 1150 General Chemistry 2 5 credits 
• CHM 1240 and 1250 Organic Chemistry 1 5 credits 
• CHM 2220 and 2230 Organic Chemistry 2 5 credits 

Physics 

Two semesters of physics with lab 

• PHY 2130 and 2131 Physics for the Life Sciences 1 5 credits 
• PHY 2140 and 2141 Physics for the Life Sciences 2 5 credits 
• Please note: PHY 2170/71 and PHY 2180/81 are also acceptable 

English 

Two semesters of English composition  

• ENG 1020 
• Any ICN course (ENG 3010 is recommended) 
• Please note: the California School of Podiatric Medicine requires 8 credit hours of English 

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.