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Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

Practice the medicine of movement and fast track your path to surgical practice to give patients a strong, healthy foundation.

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Three medical professionals in lab coats observe an elderly person in blue scrubs examining a patient lying on a medical table. Open video modal

Earn Your DPM at WesternU

WesternU’s College of Podiatric Medicine believes in a compassionate, humanistic approach to patient care that values and treats the whole person. We take a scientific perspective that includes the psychological, social, and cultural factors of personal health, which is ingrained in every aspect of education, from the classroom to research projects. With the goal of inspiring and preparing a new generation of podiatric physicians, CPM’s progressive and comprehensive medical education is leading the way with a curriculum that supports the fastest route to a surgical specialty, and the skills and expertise needed to provide the kind of care that improves lives.
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Students examining a standardized patient.

Our Integrated DO/DPM Classes Set Us Apart

Our osteopathic and podiatric student doctors are integrated during the first two years to help everyone achieve a more well-rounded education, encouraging side-by-side learning with the people you’ll work with in the future. In 2024, U.S. News ranked WesternU’s DO program as a Tier 1 Medical School for Primary Care. DPM students benefit from a large part of this highly-ranked medical curriculum. Whether you’re focused on sports medicine, biomechanics, forensics or frontline surgery, WesternU’s integrated classroom approach creates the medical foundation that leads to success. Fostering a community of collaboration and learning, you’ll grow alongside your future colleagues as you learn how to treat not just one part of a patient, but the whole person.
Overview of Podiatric Medicine Career Paths

College of Podiatric Medicine & Student Success

Exceptional Match Rate
With a strong network of preceptors, WesternU’s residency match rate is 100% for the three-year residency in podiatric medicine and surgery—and has been for 11 years running.

Future-Minded Medical Foundation
Our use of technology goes above and beyond, with advanced simulators—including a VR operating room, medical simulation suite and 3D digital models—developed by CPM staff in conjunction with the campus education tech group.

Unparalleled Student Support
In addition to deeply committed faculty and staff mentors, WesternU’s student services includes the Learning Enhancement and Academic Development (LEAD) center with dedicated learning skills specialists, exam preparation, workshops, executive functioning skills, wellness support and more.

  • A female healthcare professional in a white coat performs a foot examination on a seated patient inside a medical office.

  • Elevating the

    Podiatric Profession

    Our leading-edge curriculum exceeds the standards of podiatric medicine to offer students a comprehensive medical education that’s focused on treating the whole patient—not just the lower extremity. Students engage in a purposeful problem-solving and critical thinking approach to learning and interact with all academic leadership and faculty for mentorship and support. The result is a school culture of teamwork that goes beyond the classroom, with clinical preparation featuring live standardized patient actors rather than dummies, helping students learn how to interact and talk with patients. The curriculum builds clinical confidence with teamwork-based case assignments and early clinical opportunities at the on-campus WesternU Health Foot and Ankle Center, where they get hands-on experience with the community. And with plenty of clinical and bench research opportunities, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with other colleagues and get published in the process.

    Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Curriculum
  • A person in black walks while a man in a white coat kneels and points, and a woman in blue scrubs watches in a room with a wall-mounted screen.

CPM Faculty Caring Mentors

College of Podiatric Medicine students benefit from the support of our dedicated faculty, who mentor students through every step of the program—including skills labs to clinical experiences.

WesternU’s students thrive in a hands-on, nurturing learning environment.
Two doctors wearing masks examine a patient's foot in a clinical setting. One doctor is holding the patient's foot while the other provides assistance. Medical supplies and cabinets are visible in the background.
Jonathan Labovitz, DPM
CPM Dean

“We see the potential in every student in our college—their curiosity and passion brings joy to our work each day.”

Two healthcare workers are applying a cast to a patient's leg in a clinical setting.
Kelly Parks, DPM
CPM Faculty

“My path to a surgical career started at WesternU. Now I am guiding others to reach their own goals.”

Two people in blue medical scrubs are seated at a table practicing suturing techniques on a simulation pad in a classroom setting.
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
CPM Faculty

“We treat every CPM student doctor as a valued colleague from day one. Our culture of respect leads to more compassionate physicians.”

“Guiding future podiatric professionals has enriched both my mentees and myself, as every shared lesson and experience shapes not just careers but entire futures in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.”

Arman Kirakosian, DPM
Board Certified, Podiatric Sports Medicine
College of Podiatric Medicine Student Preceptor
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WesternU VIRTUAL TOURS

Western University of Health Sciences is one of the most comprehensive graduate schools for the health professions in the nation. Immerse yourself in 360-degree views, videos and photos that showcase WesternU’s colleges, labs, and programs.
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Accreditation Overview

Western University of Health Sciences is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The College of Podiatric Medicine is accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) and the accreditation status is accreditation.

Accreditation is an indication of public approbation, attesting to the quality of the podiatric medical education program and the continued commitment of the institution to support the educational program. The Council is recognized as the professional institutional accrediting agency for podiatric medical education by the U. S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. For further information, please contact the Council on Podiatric Medical Education at the following address: Council on Podiatric Medical Education, 11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 220, Rockville, MD 20852.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

The Podiatric Medicine profession is diverse and rewarding. At WesternU, you will find rigorous academic preparation and supportive faculty and peers. This is the place for you!

Get more information today and let us guide you through the application process.