Pre-Podiatry Program
Students wishing to gain admission to a Podiatric medical program should plan on completing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or University in the United States. Accepted students generally have a GPA of around 2.7-3.0 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework. Students are expected to submit Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores within the last 3 years but by the Spring of the year before they wish to enter medical school. A competitive MCAT score is typically around 500 (subject to variation from year to year). Students are encouraged to have documented patient interaction hours from various settings and populations. Additional emphasis should be placed on professional development relating to service and volunteer hours. To establish a mentoring or shadowing relationship with an osteopathic physician, visit the American Podiatric Medical Association website.
Generally, 2-3 letters of recommendation should be obtained when applying, typically including a college professor, DPM confirming a shadowing experience, and one person of the applicant’s choice – all letters should be from persons who can speak to the candidate’s ability to complete a rigorous medical school program successfully. Students interested in applying to Podiatry schools will apply through an external program known as the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS) in the summer or fall of their senior year. Preferred application deadlines are generally in early October, with a final deadline around January, while others will have a rolling deadline until filled. Students should confer with the school of their choice regarding specific requirements for admission.
Fast Facts
Degree: By earning your Bachelor’s Degree at Midland University in the Pre-Podiatry Program, you will be prepared to jump straight into graduate work in a professional program.
College/School: College of Health Professions/School of Health Sciences
Suggested Major at Midland University:
Biology – View the Sample Course of Study →
GPA required to enter occupational therapy school: GPA of around 2.7-3.0 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Pre-podiatry students develop a strong understanding of human anatomy and physiology, with a focus on the lower extremities, including the feet, ankles, and lower legs. This knowledge is essential for diagnosing and treating podiatric conditions.
Pre-Podiatry Course Information
These courses are typically not required for graduate school in the field of podiatry, but are strongly recommended and may be helpful for students who intent to attend graudate school for podiatry. All course descriptions can be found in the Academic Catalog.
BIO125: General Biology I with Lab
BIO126: General Biology II with Lab
CHE103: General Chemistry I with Lab
CHE104: General Chemistry II with Lab
PHY151: General Physics I with Lab
PHY152: General Physics II with Lab
BIO204: Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
BIO205: Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
PSY333: Abnormal Psychology or PSY210: Developmental Psychology
Social or Behavioral Science (could be a Humanities or Social Science course with the prefix CJU, PSY, SOC, SSC, etc.)
MTH210: Elementary Statistics
WRI101: Composition I
These courses are typically not required for graduate school in the field of Podiatry, but are strongly recommended and may be helpful for students who intent to attend graudate school for podiatry.
CHE407: Biochemistry
BIO305: Genetics
BIO209: Medical Terminology
BIO215: Microbiology
Program Faculty
Dr. Chintamani S. Manish
Professor of Biology
Email Address: manish@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6305
Key Experiences
Along their academic journey, students take part in what we call “Key Experiences.” These experiences will spark learning outside of the classroom and beyond the textbook. They get students learning first-hand about a profession, seeing the process from an up-close perspective, and thinking outside the box.
Internships, Collaborative Courses & Projects, ePortfolios
- Students will design and conduct an experiment during their Biology Capstone course. Students will prepare audio-visual presentations and create a poster to present at the campus Research Fair.
- Students create a completely original organism (plant or animal) for a given set of environmental and habitat conditions that are assigned to them. Students are provided with a set of environmental conditions, location, and other pertinent information about a region. Based upon the information provided, they have to design an organism that will be perfectly adapted to that setting (they must describe the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organism including its morphology, external characteristics, digestion, respiration, circulation, reproduction, behavioral response, and any other characteristics that are “unique” to their organism. Once the students design the organism they write a paper describing it along with art work. Finally, the students have to create a presentation that will be shared with the entire class.
Careers with an Advanced Degree
By pursuing the pre-medicine track and earning your bachelor’s degree at Midland University, you can tap into many different career opportunities. Whether you’re interested in direct patient care or supporting roles behind the scenes, there is a wide range of careers available in the healthcare field.
Some possible careers include:
Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for foot, ankle, and related lower extremity conditions. They diagnose and treat foot deformities, injuries, infections, and chronic conditions such as diabetes-related foot complications. Podiatrists also prescribe orthotic devices, perform surgical procedures, and provide preventive foot care services.
Podiatric surgeons specialize in surgical interventions for foot and ankle conditions. They perform a wide range of surgical procedures, including corrective surgeries for bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs, and foot fractures, as well as reconstructive surgeries for foot deformities or injuries.
Sports podiatrists specialize in treating foot and ankle injuries and conditions related to sports and physical activity. They provide specialized care for athletes, diagnose sports-related foot problems, prescribe orthotic devices or specialized footwear, and develop treatment plans to optimize athletes’ performance and prevent injuries.
Pediatric podiatrists focus on diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions in children and adolescents. They address common pediatric foot problems such as flat feet, toe walking, and gait abnormalities, and provide preventive care, early intervention, and orthotic management to promote healthy foot development.
Podiatric dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating skin disorders and conditions affecting the feet and ankles. They manage dermatological conditions such as fungal infections, warts, eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancers, and provide medical and surgical treatments to improve skin health and function.
Podiatrists can specialize in wound care and diabetic foot management, focusing on preventing and treating foot ulcers, infections, and complications in patients with diabetes or other chronic conditions. They assess wound healing, provide debridement and wound care services, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize wound healing outcomes.
Podiatrists with an interest in academia and research can pursue careers as educators or researchers in podiatric schools or academic institutions. They teach podiatry students, conduct research in areas such as biomechanics, wound healing, or foot pathology, and contribute to the advancement of podiatric education and scientific knowledge.
Podiatrists can work in public health settings, government agencies, or non-profit organizations, focusing on promoting foot health and preventing foot-related diseases and conditions in the community. They may develop public health programs, conduct community outreach initiatives, and advocate for policies to improve foot health and reduce health disparities.
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