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raneem
Student
Clifton, New Jersey
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what are the steps to become a dermatologist
I would love to become a dermatologist but nobody is explaining the steps of becoming one. What's the college studying like? How's the work hours? Is it worth it?
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Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
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California, CA
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Doc’s Answer
Raneem to become a Dermatologist it takes an additional 12 years education and training to complete after highschool. Dermatologists work in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, and clinics. Their workplace environment can vary depending on the specific type of dermatology they specialize in and the size of the facility they work in. Many dermatologists work in private practices, which can range from a small office to a large clinic. In these settings, dermatologists typically have their own examination rooms and may have a small staff to assist with administrative tasks, scheduling appointments, and assisting with patient care. Dermatologists may also work in hospitals, either as employees or as part of a group practice. In hospital settings, dermatologists may have access to a wider range of resources, including specialized medical equipment, support staff, and a broader network of medical professionals. They may work closely with other specialists, such as oncologists or plastic surgeons, to provide comprehensive care to patients with complex skin conditions. Regardless of their workplace setting, dermatologists typically work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate patients' schedules. Some dermatologists may also be on-call to respond to emergencies or consult with other medical professionals.
📚 BACHELOR'S DEGREE (4-YEARS)
Most dermatologists have at least a bachelor’s degree to work in this field. Common areas of study for these professions include biology, chemistry and physics, which help them prepare for medical school and provide a basis of various medical concepts they use. Medical schools often require students to take other prerequisite courses during their undergraduate studies, such as mathematics, anatomy and english.
✅ PASS THE MCAT
Before you finish your bachelor's degree, take and pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This exam takes about seven and a half hours, and it includes sections on biology, chemistry, psychology and critical analysis. Medical schools often have this as the top requirement for applying, and many universities automatically reject applications if a candidate doesn’t score above a certain baseline on the exam.
Ⓜ️ MEDICAL SCHOOL (4-YEARS)
To pursue a career in dermatology, consider attending an accredited medical school. The first two years often include mostly classroom study and laboratory sessions, which can help you learn the basics of practicing medicine.
Common coursework includes anatomy, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology. After your second year, you take the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). During your third and fourth years in medical school, you can expect to join clinical rotations with experienced doctors. During this time, you practice diagnosing and treating patients under professional supervision and rotate through various clinical areas, such as emergency care, obstetrics, internal medicine and psychiatry. Before your final year of medical school, you take the second part of the USMLE.
🩻 DERMATOLOGY RESIDENCY (4-YEARS)
After finishing medical school and passing the first two parts of the USMLE, you can complete a four-year dermatology residency. Aspiring dermatologists typically spend the first year of this being an intern for an institution’s general surgery or internal medicine program. They then have three years of clinical residency in their discipline. At the end of the residency, they take and pass the last part of the USMLE, which is a requirement to earn a license to practice dermatology.
📚 BACHELOR'S DEGREE (4-YEARS)
Most dermatologists have at least a bachelor’s degree to work in this field. Common areas of study for these professions include biology, chemistry and physics, which help them prepare for medical school and provide a basis of various medical concepts they use. Medical schools often require students to take other prerequisite courses during their undergraduate studies, such as mathematics, anatomy and english.
✅ PASS THE MCAT
Before you finish your bachelor's degree, take and pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This exam takes about seven and a half hours, and it includes sections on biology, chemistry, psychology and critical analysis. Medical schools often have this as the top requirement for applying, and many universities automatically reject applications if a candidate doesn’t score above a certain baseline on the exam.
Ⓜ️ MEDICAL SCHOOL (4-YEARS)
To pursue a career in dermatology, consider attending an accredited medical school. The first two years often include mostly classroom study and laboratory sessions, which can help you learn the basics of practicing medicine.
Common coursework includes anatomy, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology. After your second year, you take the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). During your third and fourth years in medical school, you can expect to join clinical rotations with experienced doctors. During this time, you practice diagnosing and treating patients under professional supervision and rotate through various clinical areas, such as emergency care, obstetrics, internal medicine and psychiatry. Before your final year of medical school, you take the second part of the USMLE.
🩻 DERMATOLOGY RESIDENCY (4-YEARS)
After finishing medical school and passing the first two parts of the USMLE, you can complete a four-year dermatology residency. Aspiring dermatologists typically spend the first year of this being an intern for an institution’s general surgery or internal medicine program. They then have three years of clinical residency in their discipline. At the end of the residency, they take and pass the last part of the USMLE, which is a requirement to earn a license to practice dermatology.