CSUF Linkage with Western University Podiatric Medicine (DPM) Program

For 37 years, Western University of Health Sciences has had a special mission: Educating tomorrow’s health-care professionals with a combination of scientific excellence and a humanistic, compassionate approach to patient care.

WesternU is one of the largest graduate schools for the health professions in California. Alumni rank among the top leaders in health care and medicine throughout the country and the world. The University is home to more than 3,600 students in nine health sciences colleges and 21 degree programs. All of the health care programs have professional accreditations, and the University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Western University's groundbreaking curriculum is founded on a new approach to podiatric medicine based on real world case studies, non-textbook critical thinking, problem solving, and skill building in an interactive team approach. The WesternU four-year program allows students to learn with an integrated team of health professionals in a part of the country with a wealth of clinical opportunities.

The podiatric medicine program is housed in a new $100 million building, outfitted with the newest and latest educational technology, in sunny Southern California. This curriculum was developed by an internationally renowned team with over 85 years of podiatric medical experience: Drs. Lawrence Harkless, Lester Jones, and Robert Christman are recognized for their leadership in the diabetic foot, bio-mechanics and radiology fields.

Eligibility

Since eligibility criteria for linkage programs tend to be more extensive than for traditional applicants, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply for a CSUF linkage program with WesternU OD Program:

  1. Undergraduate students must have completed Bio 172, 273, Chem 120A, 120B and typically Math 115, 130 or 150A, before applying to the CSUF Linkage Program with WesternU OD Program.
    1. In some cases equivalent classes from other institutions may be accepted.
  2. CSUF Pre-Health Professions Certificate applicants are eligible for consideration once they have completed a full semester of classes in the PHPC program.
  3. Applicants must have at least one academic year remaining as matriculated students following acceptance into the program.
  4. Applicants must contribute to the mission of the linkage program for the specific college.

Requirements

For consideration into a linkage program, students must complete BOTH the WesternU OD Program Requirements and CSUF Linkage Program Requirements.

CSUF Linkage Program Requirements

  1. Submit completed CSUF Linkage Program ApplicationOpens in new window by the deadline.
  2. Support of the Health Professions Committee at CSUF.

Requirements to apply to the DPM Program at Western University

  1. Completed their first year of prerequisite premedical courses and/or transfer students in their first year at CSUF
  2. One letter of recommendation from science faculty and one podiatric physician or surgeon
  3. Undergraduates should have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. and GPA of 3.0 or above in science coursework
  4. A total of 22 on the MCAT with no score lower than 7 and a minimum of “M” on the written section.

Applying to the CSUF Linkage Program

CSUF Linkage Program Application

Deadline to Submit Application: February 6, 2015 by 5 p.m.

Supplementary Materials

  1. Letters of Evaluation
  2. Transcript or TDA showing course grades through Fall 2014

Deadline to Submit Supplementary Materials: March 6, 2015 by 5 p.m.

All application materials should be mailed to

CSUF Linkage Programs
University Hall 223
800 N. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92834-6848

Or emailed to

hpadvising@fullerton.edu

Acceptance into the CSUF Linkage Program is provisional upon completion of all requirements which include but are not limited to:

  1. Applicants must submit a centralized application (AACOMAS, AACPMAS, PHARMCAS, OPTOMCAS) on or before the schools’ closing date.
  2. For the DO linkages, MCAT must be completed by January of the year you wish to matriculate.
  3. All courses on the study plan must be completed by the end of Spring 2017 with no grades below B and an overall GPA of 3.6 PHPC students
  4. A grade or B or below, a grade of Incomplete or Fail or a semester GPA below 3.6 will be grounds for review and potentially revoking of the acceptance into the Linkage Program.
  5. Appropriate and required involvement in community and clinical activities.
  6. All additional requirements as indicated in contract letter.

For More Information about WesternU, Visit

For More Information About Applying for the Linkage Program

Visit the FAQs
Contact the Health Professions Advising Office