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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Podiatric Medicine (SOPM) is committed to providing its students with a comprehensive and high-quality podiatric medical education. The curriculum incorporates didactic, laboratory, and clinical/patient care experiences to prepare its students for post-graduate podiatric medical and surgical residency training.
The UTRGV SOPM’s goal is to provide a podiatric medical education that graduates podiatric physicians dedicated to practicing evidence-based and patient-centered medicine in South Texas and beyond.
Third-Year Curriculum
In the third year, students will spend most of their time in four-week block clinical rotations offered at different private clinics, out-patient clinics, and hospital sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The third-year clerkship rotations will provide students with complete clinical and hands-on experience to augment the foundational medical knowledge and clinical skills gained during Years 1 and 2. Clinical rotations are designed to set the foundation for clinical skills the students will use in their professional careers. Students will participate in core podiatric and general medicine and surgery clerkship rotations, selective and electives in various specialties at various healthcare settings. As part of their didactic education, students will attend and participate in mandatory grand round sessions twice a week throughout the third year.
Fourth-Year Curriculum
The fourth year is the final preparatory phase for entry into a podiatric residency program. Students will spend the first five months in elective podiatric medicine and surgical externship rotations at different sites nationwide. This offers students the opportunity to tailor their educational experience to their own interests and gain exposure to the residency program they are interested in pursuing. Two months are devoted to residency readiness and board review for APMLE Step 2. Student will spend the final three months of their fourth year participating in additional rotations in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, General Medicine, or Surgery.