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Welcome to the accreditation page of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatric Medicine (UTRGV SOPM). This page is a resource to help you stay up to date on new developments, share your feedback, and understand how the overall process affects you as a student, faculty, or staff member.
The Council on Podiatric Medical Education, the designated accrediting agency for colleges and schools of podiatric medicine, has approved the UTRGV SOPM eligibility application as a new school of podiatric medicine.
The SOPM has achieved pre-accreditation status as of January 2025. Our first cohort of students began classes on August 8, 2022. SOPM is in the process of achieving pre-accreditation status. Full accreditation approval is anticipated prior to graduating the inaugural Class of 2026. To achieve and maintain accreditation, a podiatric medical education program must meet CPME accreditation standards.
The achievement of pre-accreditation does not guarantee eventual accreditation. Pre-accreditation is the category that may be granted to a new college that has achieved candidate status and that the Council has determined is likely to succeed in obtaining accreditation.
This is an exciting time for UTRGV SOPM, and we look forward to sharing this journey with each of you.
Learn About UTRGV AccreditationWhat is CPME?
The Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) is an autonomous, professional accrediting agency designated by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to evaluate and accredit colleges and schools that grant the professional degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
The CPME’s mission is to promote the quality of graduate and post-graduate education, certification, and continuing education in podiatric medicine. CPME is the final authority in determining the accreditation status to be granted to a school in the specialized field of podiatric medicine.
Accreditation by CPME assures that the school meets or exceeds established standards and requirements of a high-quality podiatric medical education program deserving of public approbation. The CPME is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). For more information, visit www.cpme.org.
Accreditation Standards and Requirements for Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
The Council on Podiatric Medical Education has developed eight (8) standards for granting accreditation to colleges or schools of podiatric medicine. These standards were established to serve as the basis for evaluating the quality of the educational program afforded to its students and to assess the institution’s continued commitment to support the educational program. Compliance with established standards fosters high-quality education in the field of podiatric medicine, surgery, and research.
Contact Information:
The Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME)
11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 220
Rockville, MD 20852
301-581-9200
About AACPM
The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) is a nationally recognized educational organization that represents the eleven accredited U.S. colleges of podiatric medicine as well as over 200 hospitals and organizations that conduct graduate training in podiatric medicine. The Association serves as a national forum for the exchange of ideas and issues information relating to podiatric medical education.
The AACPM administers several national service programs, including:
- Clerkship Program
An online application and matching service for third-year students applying for their third and fourth-year clerkship rotations.
- CASPR – Central Application Service for Podiatric Residencies
Application and matching service for fourth-year students interested in applying for residency positions in teaching hospitals. - CRIP – Centralized Residency Interview Program
The CRIP interview process saves time and money as hospital faculty and residency candidates interview together in one major city over one six-day period in January each year.
AACPM staff also support the activities of the Association’s Board of Directors and several Councils representing member podiatric medical schools and residency programs.
AACPM is an Affiliated Organization of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), which represents practicing podiatric physicians in the USA.