Programs

Overview

This professional pathway allows students to earn a combined Bachelor of Science in Premedical and Health Studies or Bachelor of Science in Medical and Molecular Biology from MCPHS and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 8 years.

Program Highlights

• Faculty mentors with years of expertise in both teaching and advising pre-health professions students
• A strong peer support network of pre-health students, including a Premedical Society and Minority Association of Health Professions Students Chapter
• Committee letter and interview support for students applying to professional school; courses and resources that are custom designed for professional school entrance exams and application preparation
• Research fellowships, clinical internships, and volunteer and shadowing opportunities in the Longwood Medical Area and Greater Boston

Program Details

BS in Premedical and Health Studies / Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) or BS in Medical and Molecular Biology / Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) with Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) Pathway

MCPHS and Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) have an affiliation that provides reserved admission to qualified students. MCPHS students who complete the BS in Premedical and Health Studies or the BS in Medical and Molecular Biology must meet Temple’s admissions standards in effect at the time of their application to Temple including coursework, grades, standardized test scores, and any other admissions criteria. Students spend 4 years working toward the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree.

The program allows for completion of the Bachelor of Science (BS) from MCPHS and the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine with Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 8 years.

MCPHS students must meet the TUSPM entry requirements listed below to be eligible for matriculation in the DPM program.

Program Requirements

A maximum of 2 students who meet the eligibility requirements will be assured admission into the TUSPM Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program following successful completion of all Premedical and Health Studies or Medical and Molecular Biology BS degree requirements at MCPHS.

• Students must meet Temple’s admissions standards in effect at the time of their application to Temple including required coursework, grades, standardized test scores, and any other admissions criteria as determined by Temple.
• Students must apply to Temple through the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Admission Service (AACPMAS).
• Students must initiate their application by no later than January 1st of each application cycle.

Application Process

• Students must initiate their application by no later than January 1st of each application cycle.
• Students offered acceptance under this agreement must make tuition deposits to Temple in accordance with its policies and within timeframes then in effect and in no case later than March 15th of the application cycle.
• Students who do not meet the application deadline under this agreement may still apply and be considered on the same basis as those from other institutions.

Please contact MCPHS Admission for additional information. 

Selection Criteria

A maximum of 2 students who meet the criteria set forth by TUSPM (see eligibility under Program Requirements) are assured admission into the TUSPM Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program.

The Professional Pathway to Becoming a Podiatrist

The professional pathway is designed for the academically outstanding student who has a strong passion for Podiatric medicine. The 4 years at MCPHS will provide a challenging baccalaureate curriculum in Premedical and Health Studies or Medical and Molecular Biology that will prepare students for professional study. Upon graduation from MCPHS the subsequent 4 years at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will provide the professional education required for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree.

The design of the MCPHS Premedical and Health Studies and the Medical and Molecular Biology curriculum are oriented toward the mission and values of TUSPM.

Medical Education at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mission

To educate highly qualified, ethical and professional podiatric medical students, who, upon completion of the curriculum, are prepared for licensure and entry into post-graduate medical education; and to advance our profession through research, quality patient care and community service.

About LECOM

TUSPM was opened in September of 1963 as the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine (PCPM). After Temple’s original medical school closed in 1960, several members of its faculty obtained a charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to open a new podiatry school. PCPM existed in rented facilities for its first few years, and moved into its own center at 8th and Pine streets in 1965. When the current campus opened in 1973, it was the first facility ever developed specifically for podiatric use. In addition to classrooms and labs, the complex includes student housing building and a medical clinic, known as the Foot and Ankle Institute. PCPM merged with Temple in July of 1998.

You may visit— http://podiatric.temple.edu

Curriculum

Year I-Fall

Year I-Spring

If LIB 120 is completed in Year I Spring, then you will have the following Year II schedule.

Year II-Fall

Year II-Spring

If LIB 133 is completed in Year I spring, then you will have the following Year II schedule.

Year II-Fall

Year II-Spring

Year III-Fall

*Third year BEH requirement: students take BEH 250 Health Psychology, BEH 405 Mind/Body Medicine, or BEH 450 Behavioral Health.

**PHY270/272L in the Fall can be replaced by PHY280 with lab (Physics I) by those students seeking more focused preparation for professional school entrance exams such as the MCAT, OAT, or DAT.

Year III-Spring

*Students who chose PHY280 with lab in the fall should take PHY284 (instead of PHY274) with lab to complete this physics sequence.

**The general elective may be LIB 305 Medical College Preparation Course, for 2 s.h.

Year IV-Fall

Year IV-Spring

Total credits to complete degree requirements: 124 (125) s.h.

Accreditation

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is authorized to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in the health sciences and related fields. MCPHS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Inc. through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. 

Temple University

Podiatric medicine is the branch of medicine concentrating on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of problems and diseases of the foot, ankle and lower extremity. A practitioner in this field is a D.P.M., Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, also known as a podiatrist, and is recognized legally and professionally as an integral member of the health care team.

In the health care system of today, it is important to focus on the whole patient, rather than an isolated medical problem. Podiatric medicine is no exception. Serious problems of the foot or lower extremity can adversely affect the overall health and well-being of a patient. Conversely, a systemic disease or disorder, such as diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease, may manifest itself first through potentially serious foot problems. These complex interrelationships demand a skilled practitioner, educated to detect and treat a variety of related diseases.

One of the most important choices involved in a commitment to life as a doctor is the choice of specialty. We feel that podiatric medicine is a choice from which you will reap a variety of benefits for many years. Podiatric medicine includes a variety of specialties such as orthopedics, surgery, sports medicine, pediatrics, diabetic foot care and geriatrics.

TUSPM is fully accredited by the Council of Podiatric Medical Education (CPME, 9312 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814)

Outcomes

At Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), our Premedical and Health Studies program offers a variety of pathways to pursue upon graduation. The professional pathways include:

• Medicine (with The Commonwealth Medical College and Ross University)
• Dental Medicine (with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) 
• Physician Assistant Studies (MCPHS-Boston)
• Physical Therapy (MCPHS-Worcester)
• Optometry (MCPHS-Worcester)
• Veterinary Medicine (with Ross University)
• Podiatric Medicine (with Barry University or Temple University)
• Osteopathic Medicine (with A.T. Still University or Lake Erie College of
  Osteopathic Medicine)
• Occupational Therapy (with Springfield College)
• Chiropractic Medicine (with D’Youville College)

Since the program’s inception in 2000, Premedical and Health Studies students have advanced to medical, dental, and veterinary schools with an acceptance rate of 74 percent.

Check out where our MCPHS graduates are now.

Advisory Committee

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee exists to support students who are seeking admission to medical school or other health professional schools. When it is determined that a committee letter is warranted, the committee composes an evaluative letter that incorporates the student's reference letters, academic credentials, community service and extracurricular activities, research accomplishments, and other relevant personal data. The Committee may also coordinate mock interviews for students who are completing secondary applications.

The Committee members pursue liaison or working relationships with medical and professional school representatives and admissions committees. They attend national or regional meetings of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) and share pertinent materials and knowledge acquired at these meetings with colleagues and students. The Committee also periodically reviews and updates the Premedical and Health Studies degree program requirements, embedded minor concentrations, and affiliated professional school pathways.

The Committee is composed of the Premedical and Health Studies Program Director, Assistant Director, and faculty program mentors and is chaired by the Program Director or Assistant Director. Faculty program mentors hold office hours for advising, serve as contacts for specific pathways, write letters of recommendation, and participate in pre-health professions events in addition to their teaching, service and research responsibilities.

Graduates of the College have been accepted at a number of medical and dental schools, including Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Boston University, Dartmouth School of Medicine, Duke University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Medical College of Virginia, Michigan State University, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, the State University of New York at Brooklyn, the State University of New York at Buffalo, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Syracuse University, Tulane University, Tufts University, University of Massachusetts, and the University of Vermont.

Recently, Premedical & Health Studies majors have had acceptances to the following programs:

• Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at MCPHS
• M.D./M.P.H. programs at Tufts Univ. School of Medicine and Tulane Univ. School of Medicine
• M.D. programs at University of Vermont, University of Massachusetts, Commonwealth Medical College, Ross University, St. Louis University, Tufts University, NY Medical College, & St. George's University
• D.P.M. program at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
• D.V.M. program at Tufts University and Colorado State University
• D.M.D. programs at Tufts University, Boston University, and University of Nevada Schools of Dental Medicine 
• Accelerated BSN program at MCPHS, Nurse Practitioner track
• Clinical research internships with the National Institutes of Health IRT program and Harvard Medical School
• O.D. degree program at Pennsylvania College of Optometry & accelerated O.D. degree at the New England College of Optometry
• and many others