Podiatrists are medical practitioners who diagnose and treat disorders of the human foot and leg. This degree is awarded by accredited four year colleges of Podiatric medicine.
Most entrants have an undergraduate degree.
Most graduates go on to postgraduate residency training in surgery, orthopedics, or primary care podiatric medicine. These programs my last from one to four years. In most jurisdictions, podiatrists are licensed to diagnose and treat foot ailments by medical, orthopedic, and surgical means. Podiatrists often recognize systemic disease, by its manifestation in the foot. For example diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and vascular disease may first show up in the feet.