Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

• Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
• Medicine

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

First professional degree

In addition to requiring a bachelor's degree, physicians and surgeons typically need either a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, which takes an additional 4 years to complete. Depending on their specialty, they also need 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Subspecialization includes additional training in a fellowship of 1 to 3 years.

Insider Info

Additional Information

To become an OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist), you need to attend medical school first. And getting into medical school is not easy.

You need good marks in college math and science courses. You can apply for medical school after three years of college, says the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. Medical volunteer experience also helps.

After you have completed four years of medical school, a four-year residency follows.

After you have completed your residency, you can specialize further. Add another three years.

Extra Requirements

All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty. All physicians and surgeons also must pass a standardized national licensure exam. M.D.s take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). D.O.s take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). For specific state information about licensing, contact your state's medical board. Certification is not required for physicians and surgeons; however, it may increase their employment opportunities. M.D.s and D.O.s seeking board certification in a specialty may spend up to 9 years in residency training; the length of time varies with the specialty. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from a certifying board including the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

For additional information, visit these websites:

• http://www.abms.org
• http://www.osteopathic.org