Podiatric Medicine

Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study of human movement, with care of the foot and ankle as its primary focus. Podiatrists are to the extremities what dentists are to the mouth or ophthalmologists are to the eye. The 3+4 program, created in an effort to better serve students intending to pursue the podiatric profession, provides qualified students with an opportunity to complete the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree and the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree in seven instead of eight years.

The Biology program at Lewis University is designed to prepare undergraduate students for a graduate health professional school. The first three years of the program consists of a broad-based curriculum (a minimum of 90 semester hours) that includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and mathematics, and that maximizes the number of elective science courses. Lewis University has articulation agreements with Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University which enhance the student’s opportunity for a career in podiatric care. These agreements allow for preferential consideration of the Lewis student during the admission process into Ohio and Scholl Colleges of Podiatry, and provide an opportunity for the student to pursue the 3+4 program. In the junior year, the Lewis student must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and achieve a pre-determined minimal score (specific to each affiliation). The MCAT score coupled to the completion of the pre-requisite coursework (and associated GPA) are the basis for consideration by the podiatric affiliates. If accepted by either College, the fourth year is completed there, with this year serving as both the fourth year of undergraduate study and the first year of the professional program. Once students complete all the requirements for the Lewis University B.S. in Biology, they may participate in the Lewis University undergraduate graduation ceremony.

Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine

The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM), located in Independence, OH, is one of eight accredited podiatry schools in the United States and is a private, not-for profit, four-year graduate level medical college, granting the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine’s mission is to educate students to be highly competent doctors of podiatric medicine who will excel in residency training. Founded in 1916, OCPM has graduated over 5,000 podiatrists who have made outstanding contributions to the field and study of podiatric medicine.

As an independent college of medicine, OCPM has regional and national affiliations with over 50 world-wide hospitals and more than 300 private practitioners nationwide that provide clerkship training to OCPM students. Currently, OCPM maintains an average 4-year school enrollment of 375 students and typically graduates 75-100 podiatrists a year. With the transition to the new medical education facility in Independence, Ohio, OCPM is positioning itself to become the leader in podiatric medical education for the 21st century.

Scholl College of Podiatry at Rosalind Franklin University

Offering exceptional training in podiatric medicine, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, established in 1912, became a member of the Rosalind Franklin University family in 2001. Formed in 1912 as the Chicago Hospital-College of Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is a national leader in interprofessional medical and healthcare education. Current enrollment includes over 1900 students who are completing advanced biomedical and healthcare degrees. There are over 16,000 alumni of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, including more than 6,400 Chicago Medical School graduates, who dedicate their careers to promoting the health and well being of their patients. The Scholl curriculum is a graduate-level program that is typically completed in four years. Students in the Scholl D.P.M. program take the usual courses in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, physical diagnosis identifed with all medical school programs.