What Are the Requirements for Johns Hopkins University Students to Become OB-GYNs?
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) students aspiring to become obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) have many years of education ahead of them, but the reward is a personally satisfying and lucrative career working with women in all areas of female health and reproduction. Students should have a strong interest in performing surgery as well as a desire to help women with highly personal issues. The university has its own prestigious school of medicine to which admission is competitive.
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Premedical Program Overview
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The first step to becoming an OB-GYN is to complete JHU's premedical program and graduate with a bachelor's degree. JHU's official website contains a "Guide for Pre-Health Students: Academic Planning and Student Conduct Responsibility" and the outlined course requirements are the prerequisites of most US medical schools. Students must connect with the Office of Pre-Professional Programs and Advising which will provide them with an advisor to ensure completion of the program.
Required Premedical Coursework
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The science requirements at JHU include one year of organic and one year of inorganic chemistry, one year of biology, one year of general physics, and one semester of biochemistry, all with associated labs. Other requirements are one year of calculus, one year of statistics, and one year of English coursework. Courses in literature, languages, humanities, and social sciences are highly recommended since many medical schools require them. Students must maintain a minimum "C" average.
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Medical School Education
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After completion of the premedical program, JHU students interested in becoming OB-GYNs follow a career path similar to those for students at other universities. They must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and apply for admission to an accredited four-year medical school. Students must research specific medical schools for educational prerequisites, minimum GPA and MCAT requirements. University advisors can give students counseling about chances of admission to medical school and where to apply.
Residency
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After receiving a medical school degree, JHU students must apply for and complete an OB-GYN residency. This is a three-year program in which doctors train under fully licensed OB-GYNs at a teaching hospital. Doctors may apply to any program in the country, but some are more competitive than others. The residency program consists of rotations in hospital and outpatient settings. Residents will typically work 80 hours per week and take overnight calls.
Licensure
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Completion of a three-part United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is required prior to beginning clinical residency. After completion of residency, doctors must apply for a state license to practice as OB-GYNs, with each state having its own specifications. In addition, while not a requirement to practice, most OB-GYNs choose to take a board certification exam administered by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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