Podiatric Medicine and Surgery is a pre-professional program. The purpose of pre-professional programs is to provide students with the intellectual and academic backgrounds they will need before continuing their education in degrees not offered at Minnesota State Mankato. Acceptance to professional educational institutions is contingent upon academic performance, so students enrolling in pre-professional programs should be highly motivated and realize they are expected to maintain standards of excellence. Advisors play an important role in guiding the students enrolled in such programs so students are urged to contact the advisor before enrolling.The minimum requirements for admission to a college of podiatric medicine and surgery are the same as for osteopathic medicine and surgery. A minimum of 90 semester hours are required for admission, however, most students admitted to a college of podiatric medicine and surgery have completed undergraduate degrees. Students interested in podiatric medicine will find that majoring in Biomedical Sciences (BS), or Biochemistry (BA or BS) will provide them with appropriate undergraduate training. The Medical College Admissions Test is required for all applicants to colleges of podiatric medicine and surgery. Students in this program should regularly consult with the advisor.