The College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) at Western University

Western University of Health Sciences

Western University of Health Sciences is a non-profit, private, graduate school for the health professions. The university campus includes 11 major buildings on in downtown Pomona, California....

 is a podiatric medical school

Podiatric medical school

Podiatric Medical School is the term used to designate the institutions which educate students and train them to be podiatric physicians. Only schools which are accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education may earn the status of being a "Podiatric Medical School". The Doctor of...

 based in Pomona

Pomona, California

-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...

, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

. It is one of nine podiatric medical schools in the United States. The school was founded in 2009 with a inaugural class of 38 students.

CPM offers a four-year professional degree program leading to the degree Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). The Founding Dean, Lawrence B. Harkless

Lawrence B. Harkless

Lawrence B. Harkless, DPM FACFAS, is Founding Dean and Professor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the College of Podiatric Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA. He is a retired Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and former Louis T...

, DPM, joined the College in 2007, after serving for over 30 years as the Chairman of the Division of Podiatric Medicine

Podiatry

Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The term podiatry came into use first in the early 20th century United States, where it now denotes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine , a specialist who is qualified by their...

 and Surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio Texas.

CPM is one of nine colleges at Western University.

Curriculum

First and second year students are integrated with the DO

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a professional doctoral degree for physicians in the United States. Holders of the MD degree, Doctor of Medicine, have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as osteopathic physicians in the United States.The American Osteopathic Association’s Commission...

 students for their core classes. Third and forth year students do clinical rotations through many of the local hospitals.

Accreditation

Western University of Health Sciences is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...

 (WASC). The College of Podiatric Medicine has applied for accreditation to the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), an independent, specialized accrediting agency.

WASC Accrediting Commission granted approval of the substantive change proposal for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine on December 8, 2008. Full accreditation by the CPME is expected fall 2012.