Education · 1 of 5

The path

A separate doctorate with its own schools, its own exam and its own residency. Eleven years in total.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology, chemistry, physics and math. Nothing decides this now, but weak science makes the pre-medical courses brutal.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   At least three years of basic science courses are required, and nearly everybody finishes the full four-year degree. Most colleges ask for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), the same test medical school applicants take.

3. 3

   Podiatry school

   4 years

   A four-year curriculum ending in a DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine). Two years of classroom science alongside medical students in many schools, then two years of clinical rotations.

4. 4

   Residency

   3 years

   A three-year hospital residency is mandatory. It covers foot and ankle surgery, wound care, trauma and general medicine.

5. 5

   Licensing

   Spread across training

   Pass all three parts of the national licensing examination, then apply to the podiatry board in the state where you want to work.