How to Become a Doctor for Kids

A doctor for kids with a baby.

A doctor for a kids, called a pediatrician, is a specialist who focuses on the physical, emotional and medical health of infants, children, adolescents and young adults all the way up to age 21. Becoming a pediatrician is no small task, involving 11 years of education and training that lead to a challenging and rewarding profession for the right person.

Instructions

1. Prepare as early as high school by taking a wide range of classes, practicing disciplined study habits and getting good grades to get into college. This will also develop good habits that are needed throughout college and medical school.

2. Choose a diverse course load along with science courses in college. A full concentration in science or being a science major isn't necessary to be accepted into medical school. You will need to graduate with a bachelor's degree from 4-year college and get good scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), taken during your junior year.

3. Attend medical school for 4 years. At medical school, you will take general medical courses. In your fourth year, you can take electives in areas you may want to focus on, such as pediatrics.

4. Take the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), a series of three licensing exams that are taken in medical school. The first part is taken after two years of medical school. The second and third part are taken during your last year at medical school. It is important to get good grades on the USMLE to get a good position in a pediatric training program.

5. Apply for internship/residency programs during your junior year of medical school through the national matching service--called "The Match." Residency training is where the actual pediatric training begins.

6. Start your 3-year pediatrics internship/residency, with 1 year of an internship followed by 2 years of residency. This will involve hands-on training dealing with caring for children and their specific needs in a hospital setting. Your workload will double from medical school, and you will be considered a working doctor.

7. Take the National Medical Board exam to become board-certified in pediatrics, which is needed to practice pediatrics and become a doctor for kids.

Resources

• Dr. Greene
• Socyberty