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To apply to the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, here’s what you need to know:
Academic Prerequisites
Bachelor’s Degree
To be considered for admission to the DPM 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.
Grade Point Average
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
Standardized Tests
Scores must be submitted to AACPMAS from the Medical College Admission Test, Optometry Admission Test or the Dental Admissions Test to be considered for admission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit scores at the time of application. Scores no older than three years are preferred.
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.
Other Important Requirements
Technical Standards
A candidate who is seeking a DO, DPM, MSPAS, DPT or OTD degree at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences must be capable of completing core educational requirements and achieving the competencies in the basic and clinical sciences. DMU seeks to develop candidates who have a deep and robust health science or medical knowledge base and outstanding clinical skills, with the ability to appropriately apply them, effectively interpret information and contribute to decisions across a broad spectrum of medical situations and settings.
The critical skills required to be successful are outlined in the academic catalog and include the ability to observe, communicate and perform motor functions, as well as to understand, integrate core knowledge and skills and to behave appropriately in varied educational and professional situations.
We encourage you to review the DPM program’s comprehensive technical standards. For information about accommodations, refer to the Accommodations in Education Policy.
Background Checks
Complete a criminal background check, which may include a drug screen, as well as Iowa Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Registry checks through the DMU preferred vendor and process. Results must be released to DMU prior to matriculation. The cost of this process will be paid by the student. Students are required to disclose all past or present charges, convictions, dismissals, deferred judgments and expunged records related to a misdemeanor or felony. They are also obligated to disclose any additional charges and convictions that 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.
Residency Status
At DMU, all students enrolled in on-campus programs must be either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Permanent resident applicants must provide a notarized copy of their permanent resident card (green card) prior to matriculation. Please be aware of the potential impact if your permanent resident card (green card) expires and is not renewed, or you do not obtain U.S. citizenship, during your enrollment at DMU. In such a case, you would no longer be eligible for federal financial aid, and because you would no longer meet the enrollment requirements, you could be dropped from enrollment in your coursework.
Note: Applicants with a permanent residency status of “pending” are not eligible for admission.