Educational Requirements for Medical Doctors

Doctors study for many years to be able to practice medicine legally.

Medical doctors are the backbone of the health care system. They treat patients of all ages suffering from all sorts of medical problems, from influenza and the common cold to serious life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Medical doctors study for many years, at least eleven years for most doctors, to fulfill the educational requirements for their career. Because of the constantly evolving nature of the career, medical doctors must commit to a lifetime of learning that continues well beyond their years in school.

Bachelor’s Degree

All medical doctors need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, which usually takes four years to complete. Aspiring medical doctors should pursue a degree in a subject based on math or science, such as biology, chemistry, physics or anatomy. Some individuals choose to focus their studies in another area in the social sciences or humanities. That's a workable path as long as the student completes all the necessary course requirements for acceptance into medical school. Required undergraduate coursework for medical school typically includes courses in biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, calculus, English and anatomy.

Medical Degree

All medical doctors must obtain a medical degree from an accredited medical school, which typically takes four years. Acceptance to medical school is based on a variety of factors, including a student’s academic record, MCAT scores, professor recommendations, personal interview, and extracurricular activities. While in medical school, students take a range of classes covering topics like anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical ethics, immunology, obstetrics, psychology, neurobiology, microbiology, pathology and internal medicine. Students usually spend the first two years primarily in the classroom, and gain supervised clinical experience during the second two years of medical school.

Residency

After graduating from medical school, medical doctors must complete a residency program at an accredited hospital. Residencies last three to seven years, depending on the specialization, and are best described as extended internships for doctors. During their residency, individuals work side-by-side with experienced doctors and surgeons, assisting with all sorts of tasks and learning by observing. During the latter part of their residency, medical doctors can specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as pediatrics or podiatry.

Licensing

All medical doctors must be licensed to work in the state they plan to practice medicine in. All states require new doctors to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Medical doctors must also pass examinations that correspond to their specialized area of medicine and provide documentation of the completion of an accredited medical program. States do vary in their specific licensing requirements, so contact your state’s medical board for more information.

References

• Education Portal: Requirements to Become a Doctor in the U.S.
• Education Portal: Doctor of Medicine: Steps to Become a Medical Doctor
• State University: Doctor Job Description