5 answers
Terence
Student
Chesapeake, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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How many years of education do you need to be an doctor?
Do you need different types of school or another type of education to be an doctor?
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5 answers
Megan Jackson BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
62
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Megan’s Answer
You would need a Bachelors degree in Biochemistry or similar then apply to medical school that is 4 years then pick a specialty to do your residency in. Depending on what you choose could last anywhere from 3-8 years.
Hey there,
Pre med student here. It actually doesn't matter what degree you obtain. As long as you earn credits for your prerequisite classes that med schools require you to complete.
Vincent Ly
That’s why I said “or similar” it wouldn’t be prudent to take a major that didn’t meet your preq requirements in your degree if you know going in that’s your goal you would be adding another year of school minimum to get all the pre reqs required
Megan Jackson BSN, RN
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Terence!
Embarking on the journey to become a doctor involves a substantial investment of time in education and training. The exact duration can vary, depending on the country and the specific medical field you're interested in. But, in a nutshell, it's a long and challenging academic voyage, but one that's incredibly rewarding!
Undergraduate Studies:
The first milestone on this journey is earning an undergraduate degree, which usually takes about four years. While there's no hard and fast rule about what you should major in, many future doctors opt for science-related fields like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. But remember, medical schools welcome students from all sorts of academic backgrounds!
Medical School:
Once you've got your undergraduate degree in hand, the next step is medical school. This is another four-year commitment, where you'll dive deep into the world of medical sciences and hone your clinical skills. You'll be learning through lectures, lab work, and hands-on clinical rotations.
Licensing Exams:
After graduating from medical school, you'll need to pass a licensing exam to become an official, licensed physician. The specific exam you'll take depends on where you are in the world. For instance, in the U.S., you'll need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Residency Training:
After medical school and getting your license, you'll enter residency training in your chosen specialty. Residency programs can last anywhere from three to seven years, depending on the specialty. During this time, you'll get real-world experience working under the guidance of seasoned physicians in hospitals or clinics.
Fellowship Training (Optional):
If you're really looking to specialize, you might choose to pursue fellowship training after your residency. This gives you the chance to gain expertise in a specific area within your chosen field. Fellowships can last from one to three years.
So, all in all, the journey to becoming a doctor involves an undergraduate degree (4 years), medical school (4 years), passing licensing exams, residency training (3-7 years), and potentially fellowship training (1-3 years). That means you're looking at anywhere from 11 to 18 years of education and training, depending on your chosen specialty and additional training.
Top 5 Authoritative References Used:
1. American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
2. Association of American Medical Colleges (aamc.org)
3. World Health Organization (who.int)
4. National Institutes of Health (nih.gov)
5. U.S. News & World Report - Education Section (usnews.com/education)
Embarking on the journey to become a doctor involves a substantial investment of time in education and training. The exact duration can vary, depending on the country and the specific medical field you're interested in. But, in a nutshell, it's a long and challenging academic voyage, but one that's incredibly rewarding!
Undergraduate Studies:
The first milestone on this journey is earning an undergraduate degree, which usually takes about four years. While there's no hard and fast rule about what you should major in, many future doctors opt for science-related fields like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. But remember, medical schools welcome students from all sorts of academic backgrounds!
Medical School:
Once you've got your undergraduate degree in hand, the next step is medical school. This is another four-year commitment, where you'll dive deep into the world of medical sciences and hone your clinical skills. You'll be learning through lectures, lab work, and hands-on clinical rotations.
Licensing Exams:
After graduating from medical school, you'll need to pass a licensing exam to become an official, licensed physician. The specific exam you'll take depends on where you are in the world. For instance, in the U.S., you'll need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Residency Training:
After medical school and getting your license, you'll enter residency training in your chosen specialty. Residency programs can last anywhere from three to seven years, depending on the specialty. During this time, you'll get real-world experience working under the guidance of seasoned physicians in hospitals or clinics.
Fellowship Training (Optional):
If you're really looking to specialize, you might choose to pursue fellowship training after your residency. This gives you the chance to gain expertise in a specific area within your chosen field. Fellowships can last from one to three years.
So, all in all, the journey to becoming a doctor involves an undergraduate degree (4 years), medical school (4 years), passing licensing exams, residency training (3-7 years), and potentially fellowship training (1-3 years). That means you're looking at anywhere from 11 to 18 years of education and training, depending on your chosen specialty and additional training.
Top 5 Authoritative References Used:
1. American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
2. Association of American Medical Colleges (aamc.org)
3. World Health Organization (who.int)
4. National Institutes of Health (nih.gov)
5. U.S. News & World Report - Education Section (usnews.com/education)
Alok Verma
Consultant
15
Answers
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Alok’s Answer
Becoming a doctor typically involves several years of education, including undergraduate studies, medical school, and a residency program. Specific requirements may vary based on the country and the type of medical specialization a person wants to do. In general, they have to complete the following:
1. Undergraduate education which usually takes four years.
2. After completing a bachelor's degree, students need to attend medical school, which generally lasts four years.
3. Following the completion of medical school, graduates must participate in a residency program, which provides further training in a specific medical specialty. Residencies can range from three to seven years, depending on the chosen specialty.
In total, it can take anywhere from 11 to 15 years of education and training beyond high school to become a licensed practising physician.
1. Undergraduate education which usually takes four years.
2. After completing a bachelor's degree, students need to attend medical school, which generally lasts four years.
3. Following the completion of medical school, graduates must participate in a residency program, which provides further training in a specific medical specialty. Residencies can range from three to seven years, depending on the chosen specialty.
In total, it can take anywhere from 11 to 15 years of education and training beyond high school to become a licensed practising physician.
Sabeena Setia
Internal medicine
4
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Sabeena’s Answer
Hi there - you need to complete college/university which is usually 4 years (unless you complete it sooner). After that medical school is 4 years. Some students elect to to take a year off for research. After this (8 years minimum already), you will do a residency ranging from 3 to about 7 years. The longest residencies are for neurosurgery and sometimes plastic surgery with a subspecialty.