To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or regionally accredited university within the United States prior to the start of orientation. In some situations, exceptional students may be considered for admission after completing only three years (90 semester hours) of undergraduate work at a regionally accredited college or regionally accredited university within the United States.
A minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.7 on a 4.0 scale or higher is recommended. A minimum science grade point average of a 2.7 on a 4.0 scale or higher is recommended. Prerequisite coursework must be completed for graded credit; no grade lower than a C- will be accepted. CLEP credits, AP credits, IB credits and P/F credits will not be considered for prerequisites.
Required Courses
The courses below are required for admission; you may apply while coursework is in progress. Coursework completion is required prior to matriculation, and pending coursework during the application cycle is acceptable.
Biology - 8 Semester Hours
- Labs required, when available
General Chemistry - 8 Semester Hours
- A two-semester chemistry sequence is required
- Labs required, when available
Organic Chemistry - 8 Semester Hours
- A two-semester organic chemistry sequence is required
- May substitute 4 semester hours with biochemistry
- Labs required, when available
Physics - 8 semester hours
- Labs required, when available
English - 6 Semester Hours
- English, composition, communications, speech, or other writing-intensive courses are accepted
Other highly recommended courses may include biochemistry, genetics, comparative anatomy, mathematics, psychology, and medical terminology
Exposure to Medicine
Competitive applicants should have exposure to medicine documented in a letter of recommendation from a podiatrist. Exposure is recommended so applicants will have already determined whether the podiatric medical profession is right for them. This experience can be paid or volunteer. To establish a mentoring or shadowing relationship with a podiatrist, visit the American Podiatric Medical Association.
MCAT
Applicants must complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to be considered for admission. Submit official MCAT scores to AACPMAS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit MCAT scores at the time of application; we prefer scores no older than three years.
Technical Standards
Please see technical standards section of the catalog for more information. Further information about accommodations can be found in the Accommodations in Education Policy.
Background Checks
All accepted students are required to complete a criminal background check and drug screen through the DMU preferred vendor. Results must be released to DMU prior to matriculation, and the cost of this process will be paid by the accepted student. Accepted students are required to disclose all past or present charges, convictions, dismissals, deferred judgments and expunged records as related to a misdemeanor or felony. They are also obligated to disclose any additional charges and convictions which occur following completion of the initial criminal background check. Admission to the program may be revoked if misrepresentations or omissions from the application are noted in the background check. DMU students are required to complete annual criminal background checks, which may include drug screening, while enrolled at DMU.
Permanent Residents
Applicants who are legal permanent residents of the U.S. will be required to provide a copy of their permanent resident card (green card) prior to admission.
Note: Permanent residency status "pending," is not eligible for admission.
Non-U.S. Citizens
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent U.S. residents are not eligible for admission to the DPM program. Please review the information for international students.