Podiatry Preprofessional Program

Podiatrists are professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat people with diseases or disorders of the foot and related structures. Podiatrists treat corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions, heel spurs, and arch problems; ankle and foot injuries, deformities, and infections; and foot complaints associated with disease. They may prescribe drugs, order physical therapy, set fractures, and perform surgery. They also fit corrective inserts called orthotics, design plaster casts and strappings to correct deformities, and design custom-made shoes.

The University of Iowa does not offer degree programs in podiatry, but does offer course work to help students prepare to enroll in podiatry programs elsewhere.

Course Work

This is a graduate-level health profession that typically requires specific undergraduate courses or an undergraduate bachelor's degree for admission. In addition, acceptance into these programs is usually competitive, and entrance requirements may change from year to year, so research the requirements for the school(s) you are considering, to make sure you have the most current information.

Typically, course requirements are primarily in the sciences, including one year each of introductory courses in chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biology, each with accompanying labs. The mathematics prerequisite to physics also is usually required.

Our Academic Advising Center will help you plan your Iowa course work. Visit the Academic Advising Center website for more information.

To learn more about podiatry, visit the websites of the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine and the American Podiatric Medical Association.