Curriculum
1. Are there any special programs for which this podiatric medical school is noted?
The recent affiliation between the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and Kent State University to create a single academic entity: Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM) offers numerous benefits to students.
The development of dual-degree programs, such as Masters of Business Administration, Masters of
Public Health, and Ph.D. programs in various sciences. In addition, you may be able to take advantage
of programs in the College of Education, Health and Human Services.
Access to all men's and women's sports teams that exist at Kent State. You will be able to work with
our faculty, Kent State trainers and team physicians, and be exposed to a variety of varsity and
intramural sports activities involving both males and females.
Academically, college faculty and students will have the opportunity to engage in research programs
with public health, biomedical sciences, and of course sports medicine.
In addition, KSUCPM is the only podiatry school to have a Practice Management curriculum taught by the leading podiatrists and doctors in the country. This curriculum was created by the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management. Students begin classes in practice management during the first year and continue with classes throughout all four years.
2. Describe this school's curriculum in the pre-clinical and clinical years. Are there any innovations, like Problem-Based Learning?
1st Year
Fall:
Biochemistry (2 days a week), Genetics/Embryology, Histology (2 days a week + lab once a week), Gross Anatomy (2 days a week + lab twice a week after class), Research and Methods/Medical Ethics (1 credit hour course meets once a week), Practice Management (once a MONTH)
Spring:
Physiology (2 days a week), Microbiology/Immunology (2-3 days a week+ lab), Lower Extremity Anatomy (2 days a week + lab 2 times a week in the evenings), Physical Diagnosis (1-2 times a week depending on your lab group and lecture schedule), Neurobiology (2 days a week), Practice management (once a MONTH)
Summer:
Biomechanics 1, Radiology, Lower Extremity Physical Diagnosis, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Clinic:
During your first year, each student spends one day at the Cleveland Foot and Ankle Clinic
2nd Year
Fall:
Pathology (2 days a week), Pharmacology (2 days a week), Biomechanics 2, Radiology 2,
Pod Med 1, Practice Management (Once a MONTH)
You also go to clinic 2-4 times per semester during the 2nd year
4-week Standardized Patients course (Clinic Groups sometime during the 2nd year)
Spring:
Pathology, Pharmacology, Radiology 3, Pod Med 2, Podiatric Surgery 1, Practice Management, Podiatric Medical Skills
3rd Year
(Fall - Starts in June of 2nd year):
Study and take Part 1 boards in July, General Medicine (2 days a week), Podiatric Surgery 2 (1 day a week), Dermatology (1 day a week), Neurology (1 day a week), Podopediatric (1 day a week), Practice Management
Clinic every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday all year
Spring:
General Medicine, Podiatric Surgery 3, Traumatology, Sports medicine, Behavioral Medicine (for 1st half of semester only), Public Health (for 1st half of semester), and Public law (for 2nd half of semester), Womens Health, Practice Management
4th year
6 core rotations (1 month at each of the 2 school clinics, 2 months for Senior Medicine for which there are multiple locations for you to choose from, 1 month of Community Medicine, and 1 month at the VA) and 6 externships (1 of which must be a private practice; You do not have to do all 6 externships, You can take a month off)
3. Are there opportunities for students to design, conduct, and publish their own research? Students have the opportunity to design, conduct, and publish their own research. Usually 1st years do not participate in any research projects because their class schedules are so time consuming. However, starting in the 2nd year, more students start participating in research.
There are certain organizations that require a group research project to be submitted by the officers of the organization, such as ACFAS (American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons). In fact, our students have always placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the ACFAS research poster competition. This is held every year.
If you want to design your own research, there are multiple faculty members willing to mentor you individually. You also have the option to join existing research projects that other faculty members have in place.
4. Is there a note-taking service? If so, is it university-run or student-run?
Currently there is no note-taking service. All professors submit their PowerPoint slides/presentation to the school prior to class (usually at the beginning of the semester) and these are uploaded online. Once uploaded, you can download the notes onto your computers to take notes electronically (if you have PDF annotator or a tablet), you can print them out yourself to take notes, or you can place an order at Fed-ex/Kinkos (which is 2 minutes from the school, in the shopping plaza next to school) to have your notes printed (you can have them stapled, 3-hole punched or bound into books whatever you want) for a very reasonable price (for example, a semesters worth of notes for all classes probably would cost about $50-70). Having the notes printed for you makes your life much easier because all you have to do in class is listen to the professor and add any extra info you want. We receive a 60% discount from Kinkos and that applies to anything you want to print out it is not just for school notes.
KSUCPM also has mediasite, which allows students to go back and listen to lectures.
5. Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives) and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years?
Unfortunately, the coursework is the same for everyone and it doesnt allow for much altering. For the first 2 years, the coursework and schedule is the same for every student.
During the 3rd year, students are in clinic three days a week and the other two days we have other courses (General Medicine, Podiatric Surgery, Dermatology, Traumatology, Sports Medicine, Podopeds, etc.). During the 3rd year students have a series of 8 rotations and we are assigned the order in which we rotate. During our 4th year, we have 6 months for which we can choose 6 different programs anywhere in the country. The other 6 months are core rotations in Cleveland.
In terms of time off, during your 1st year you have a few days off for Thanksgiving, two weeks off for Christmas, one week for spring break, one week off between the end of the Spring semester and the start of the summer semester, and then 3 weeks off for summer vacation.
During your 2nd year, a student will have a few days off for Thanksgiving, two weeks for Christmas, one week for spring break, and three-four weeks at the end of the Spring semester to study for Boards Part 1.
Your 3rd year classes usually start at the mid-end of June. Your 3rd year you may have the day of Thanksgiving off and you may have one week off for Christmas. Your time off your 3rd year depends on what rotation you have during the holiday season.
Your 4th year is like 3rd year, it all depends on what rotation you are in when the holidays are occurring.
6. Has this podiatric medical school, or any of its clinical departments, been on probation or had its accreditation revoked? No.
The College is accredited by the podiatric accrediting body of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
KSUCPM is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
7. How do students from this podiatric medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do not pass?
KSUCPM remains near or at the national average for board pass rates. The national pass rate average is usually between 80-85% (First-time).
For students who do not pass, the school provides private tutors to help them. For those who failed to pass part 1 on the first try, the school releases students from their clinical rotation for 1 month so that the student has time to focus on studying for re-exams.
KSUCPM also has board reviews for students and will frequently send out articles that will help you prepare.
Evaluations
8. How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed?
Academically, we have pop-quizzes, quizzes, projects, presentations, papers and exams. A student should expect three exams per class, per semester during your 1st and 2nd years. When you are a 3rd year, you can expect two exams per class, per semester.
Clinically, the majority of the rotations have an exam that is given at the end of the month that you must pass to pass the rotation. Certain rotations have papers and presentations that you may need to submit in order to pass the rotation.
9. Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback?
At the end of each semester, students are sent a course evaluation for each and every class. It is voluntary so you dont HAVE to fill it out, however if you dont let the professor know what he/she is supposed to change, how will they know? On the other hand, for those professors who you think did a phenomenal job should also know just how awesome they are too.
At the end of each rotation, we have to fill out a mandatory evaluation regarding the rotation. Obviously we dont experience any changes made as a result of feedback because we already completed that course, so all I know if what the underclassmen tell me. For example, biochemistry and physiology were super hard courses and our class thought that we would have been more prepared if we had quizzes. This past year the professor not only added quizzes to the class but also added group projects and presentations. Most professors usually add quizzes or more clinical case studies to better help prepare us. One of our attendings also e-sails us monthly case studies and mock questions to help prepare us for part 2 boards.
Counseling/Student Support
10. What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children?
Everybody at KSUCPM is very close. If you need any guidance, you can approach any of the faculty members or staff to help you. I personally talk to Teri Novak, Lorie Frank, or Dean Lott if I have any concerns or problems. If they are unable to help me, they always point me in the direction of people that can. Teri Novak is an amazing person for academic and career counseling; she also heads up the tutoring services so she can really help us. Kathy Wright is in charge of financial aid and is always willing to help us with our financial problems. What I appreciate most about Kathy is that she is willing to skip her lunch hour to help students since on most days lunch is our only free time and the only time we can come and get some work done. Besides the staff and faculty at KSUCPM, we also have therapists/counselors at Case Western Reserve University that are willing to help us.
Last year, KSUCPM even brought in someone to help us address any issues we may have with test anxiety. They are always looking for ways to help us to manage our time and our stress associated with classes/tests.
As far as career counseling, we have an Office of Graduate Placement who is dedicated to helping students learn more about clerkships and residency options. They are a great resource when determining what areas/hospitals you may want to explore a little further.
11. Is there a mentor/advisor system? Who are the advisorsfaculty members, other students, or both?
Every 1st year receives a big brother/sister that they can go to for help, but as I mentioned before, the CPM family is very close and we help each other out. Each student doesnt have an assigned advisor, but you could always approach a faculty member and see if they could be your mentor/advisor. All of our faculty members are more than willing to help. Students can really approach any of the other upperclassmen for help as well.
12. How diverse is the student body? Are there support services or organizations for ethnic minorities and women?
We have a very diverse student body. Students at our school can range from 20 year old to 40+ year old. We have students that are single, in relationships, engaged, married, and married with kids. We have students from various ethnic backgrounds from Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, African American etc. Traditionally, we have had more men than women in recent classes.
In terms of organizations present at school, we have AAWP (American Association of Women Podiatrist) and SNPMA (Student National Podiatric Medical Association) which is minority organization but we have it open to the whole student body.
Facilities
13. Tell me about the library and extracurricular facilities (i.e., housing and athletic/recreational facilities).
Library:
The library may look small, but it contains everything/anything we need. We have hard copies of all the scientific journals (before they became electronic), we have all the podiatric related books plus general medicine books, plus some newspapers and magazines to read during study breaks. At the front desk, we have many things that you can checkout such as laptops, head phones, textbooks for the current classes, radiographs + light box, orthotics, bone models, negative casts etc. I think our greatest assets, when it comes to the library, are Donna and Leo. Leo helps us with any resources we need for basic sciences. Donna, on the other hand, helps us with our clinical sciences. For example, during my 1st externship I was given the title of an article they wanted me to read, but the article was so old that an electronic copy did not exist. I e-mailed Donna that night and the next morning, she scanned the hard-copy of the article and e-mailed it to me, which was amazing!
The library does have restricted hours of operation, but no fear, KSUCPM has many other locations for you to study that are open as long as the school is. We have two quiet study rooms, six private study rooms (plus three study rooms in the library), one computer lab (might as well be a quiet study room because everybody has laptops nowadays, so rarely are people actually in here), cafeteria, rotunda (randomly placed desks on two floors), multipurpose room, the area outside the multipurpose room etc.
Also, our library is now part of OhioLINK, which consists of 88 colleges or universities that are able to share items from their library collection. If you need an item from Ohio State University, they can mail it to our library and have it for you in a couple days. This also works for any e-journals or e-books.
Extracurricular facilities:
We have a gym area at school but its small and the reason for this is because as KSUCPM students we have free membership to Ballys (any Ballys in the country). Usually, students only use the gym at school during exam weeks when they are already at school studying. Both the mens and womens locker-rooms have saunas. Besides the gym we also have a walking path. There is another area on campus where the students usually set up a volleyball net. We usually use that area for games or for picnics/ BBQs. We had a huge flag football tournament in the field last year!
Housing:
Currently, there is no housing on the CPM campus because the city of Independence doesnt allow temporary housing (no apartments or dorm style living). However, there are many places to live close to school. There are plenty of apartment complexes within 15-20 minutes of campus. Most students will reside in North Royalton, Parma, Parma Heights, Independence, or Brecksville.
There are also other apartment complexes that are a little bit (25-30 minutes) further from school. There are also plenty of options for students who want to live in the city of Cleveland or downtown.
KSUCPM will provide you with a full list of housing options if you are invited to interview. Many of the options also offer a discounted because you are medical student.
14. Are there computer facilities available to students? Are they integrated into the curriculum/learning?
We have two computer labs on campus (One of the labs is located in the library). Technology plays a big part in our curriculum. All of our lectures are recorded through a program called media site. Mediasite captures both audio and visual. The lectures are uploaded online so that you can access the lectures anywhere you want as long as you have internet. We also record the demonstration at the beginning of every anatomy lab session so students can view it at a later date. The Anatomy lab also features touch screen computers so that you can pull up atlases while dissecting.
All of our classrooms have a touch screen/ tablet computer for the professors so that they can write or draw on the screen/slide and mediasite will capture it as part of the lecture that is posted online.
Besides our lectures, all of our exams are computerized in order to help students become familiar with the computer system used in Part 1 boards. Because the exams are computerized, every student must have a laptop when starting at KSUCPM. We also have computerized clinical cases in our 2nd year. So as you can see, technology is a big part of KSUCPM.
15. What type of clinical sitesambulatory, private preceptors, private hospitals, rural settingsare available or required for clerkships? Does this school allow for students to do rotations at other institutions or internationally?
The requirements for clerkships are quite simple. Your 4th year, you have 6 months of core rotation and 6 electives. Every year, AACPM releases a clerkship handbook that lists all the programs in the country that are participating/accepting clerks for the following year. This is the list from which you choose your electives. As far as I know, I do not believe that there are any international programs available for clerkships. If you are seeking an International opportunity, you may want to meet with the Dean to determine if that is an option.
The school requires that you participate in a minimum of 5 electives, one of which must be a private practice. Any program with at least 50% clinic can be used as a private practice program. Students have the choice to take 1 month off if they choose to but they can only take off a month that they are scheduled to have an elective. They cannot take off a core rotation month. We have many types of rotation that will give students experiences in private practices, clinics, and hospitals.
16. Is a car necessary for clinical rotations? Is parking a problem?
A car is a MUST for rotations because we are in clinics all over the Cleveland area. Some students do carpool with each other when possible. Parking is rarely a problem. Our school clinics have their own parking lot and all of the local hospitals offer plenty of parking.
Financial Aid
17. What is the current tuition and fees? Is this expected to increase yearly? If so, at what rate?
Currently, the tuition is $32,000. Fees include student activities fee, health services fee, lab fees, vaccination fees, and books, supplies and instruments. The fees total around $3,900.
18. Are there stable levels of federal financial aid and substantial amounts of university/endowment aid available to students?
The Office of Financial Aid at KSUCPM understands your concern in financing a podiatric medical education. Given the increasing educational costs, unless you are fortunate enough to have adequate family resources, it is likely you will acquire sizable loan obligations. Our Financial Aid staff works closely with prospective and current students to ensure eligibility for the best packaging of available funds.
In addition, KSUCPM will award $600,000 in scholarships annually to prospective and current students.
19. Are there students who have an "unmet need" factor in their budget? If so, where do these students come up with the extra funds?
Typically, KSUCPM will make every effort to fulfill the need of a student by reviewing his or her financial situation individually.
20. Are spouses and dependents/children covered in a student's budget?
Neither spouses nor children are included in a students financial aid budget.
21. Is someone available to assist students with budgeting and financial planning?
We do have an office of Financial Aid to help assist you when determining how much financial assistance you will need. In addition, this office is available to help you with any emergency financial situations, such as an unexpected car repair.
22. Does this school provide guidance to its students, and to its graduates/alumni, on debt management?
Not that I am aware of.
Student Involvement
23. What school committees (e.g., curriculum committee) have student representation?
Moving forward as Kent State, I do not know what committees will have student representation.
24. Are students involved in (required or voluntary) community service?
Community service is voluntary. There are a few organizations, such as SPARCY, that help local school by tutoring their students. Our Sports Medicine organizations also volunteer at local race by putting up a foot aid station. Our Diabetes organization volunteers in the organization of the diabetes walk held every year in Cleveland. Each class also participates in fundraising opportunities and food drives throughout the year.
25. How active is the Student Council/Government? Are there other student organizations?
The student government is very active and is the head of all the other organizations at KSUCPM. We have a diverse range of organizations, from academic to sports-oriented clubs. We have a few sports teams, including basketball, softball, and soccer. We have an organization for every interest you may have. We have AAWP (Women Podiatrist Group), SNPMA (Minorities in Podiatry Group), PAD (Diabetes in Podiatry), ACFAS/ASPS (Surgery Club), ACFOAM (Orthopedics Group), AAPPM (Podiatric Practice Management Group), KTE (Academic Fraternity), APMSA (Political), Class officers, Sports Medicine, ASPD (Podiatric Dermatology), and Yearbook, just to name a few.
Policies
26. Is there an established protocol for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases? Is disability insurance provided to cover this exposure?
There is a protocol for students who may have been exposed to an infectious disease. A student will report the incident to KSUCPM/Chair of the Department of General Medicine to determine the best course of treatment.
27. Does this school provide, or does the student pay for, vaccinations against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AZT treatment in case of a needle-stick or accident?
Students receive Hepatitis B vaccinations when students arrive on campus. All students must be up to date on all immunizations prior to starting school. Should a student receive a needle-stick, a students insurance should cover the treatment.
28. Is there a school Honor Code? Is there a grievance process/procedure? Are the students involved?
Yes, it is noted in the student handbook.
Residency
29. May I see a list of residency programs to which this school's recent graduates were accepted?
Please refer to the below links from the KSUCPM website.
Class of 2012 Residency Placement
Class of 2011 Residency Placement
Class of 2010 Residency Placement
Questions to Ask Yourself
30. Does this school have strengths in the type of podiatric medicine (primary care versus surgery versus biomechanics versus sports medicine) that I will want to practice?
In order to answer this question, I will have to assume that you are taking into account all of our core rotations during the 4th year. Based on this, I would say that our strengths are primary care and biomechanics, but depending on what you choose for your Senior Medicine rotation, you can also add wound care to the list. I think our clinics touch on all types of podiatric medicine: primary care, diabetic foot care, biomechanics, sports medicine and pediatrics.
31. Would I be happy at this school (for at least the next four years)?
You will be happy if you are open to new experiences and opportunities and have a positive outlook. When it comes to school, as soon as you step into the school, you are going to become a part of KSUCPM family, where we look out for each other. I have been with the same group of students for four years and I couldnt ask for a better class to be a part of. I have found some amazing friends at this school and gained a phenomenal support system when it comes to my friends, staff, and faculty.
I would be lying if I didnt say there were some times when I was completely overwhelmed and struggling- and you will have those occasions too- at any school you elect to attend. I mean, just think about all the exams, clinics, and stress we are put under, we are going to crack under that much pressure sometime and thats normal. This is what your support system is there for.
I know that Cleveland is known as the mistake by the lake but all I can say is that every city has unique things about it and you have to find it. I am local and I have found everything in Cleveland that I need to live happily here.
When I was interviewing at KSUCPM (it was OCPM at that time), the administration spoke to us at the beginning of the day and told us that during our tour we should try to imagine ourselves walking these halls, imagine ourselves hanging outside on the lawn with our friends, imagine ourselves in the classrooms and lab, to pretty much imagine ourselves in this school. They said that if you could easily imagine ourselves there, then thats probably where we belonged.
