Simple question right? They study the foot and ankle.

Though the scope of practice includes the foot and ankle and everything in between, an understanding of how the body functions holistically is vital in any medical profession including podiatry.

 The first 2 years of podiatry school are primarily didactic work in the basic sciences; the following 2 years include intense podiatric clinical and continued didactic work. According to the United States Department of Labor, “Colleges of podiatric medicine offer a 4-year program whose core curriculum is similar to that in other schools of medicine.”

 For example, first semester classes include:  

1. Medical Biochemistry
2. Medical Genetics and Embryology
3. Human Anatomy (From the waist up, only)
4. Physiology
5. Medical Ethics
6. Principles of Medical Research
7. Podiatric Medical Practice Seminar

For a total of 26 credit hours in general medicine. Others classes include:

1. Neurobiology
2. Neurology
3. Medical Microbiology and Immunology
4. Rehabilitative Medicine
5. Pharmacology
6. Pathology
7. Radiology
8. Dermatology

                What a conducive location to learning and instruction. (Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine)