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maycee
Student
Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Updated
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How many exact years do you need to be in school to become an othomologist ?
I know its a lot of years and you need med school but how long
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Debbie Morton
Business Consulting
68
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Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Debbie’s Answer
Hello Maycee! You're absolutely right! For any future inquiries about job prospects, don't hesitate to visit bls.gov.
Exploring the Path to Becoming a Physician or Surgeon
In this section
Physicians and surgeons
Physicians and surgeons can choose to work in various medical specialties, such as cardiology, dermatology, pathology, or radiology. Their journey typically begins with a bachelor’s degree, followed by a medical school degree that takes an additional 4 years. Depending on their chosen specialty, they also need to complete 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Further specialization involves additional training in a fellowship for 1 to 3 years.
Education
Becoming a physician or surgeon not only requires a bachelor’s degree but also a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. There's no specific undergraduate degree required to enter an M.D. or D.O. program, but medical school applicants usually have a background in subjects like biology, physical science, or healthcare-related fields.
Getting into medical school is a competitive process. Applicants generally need to submit transcripts, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and letters of recommendation. Medical schools also value an applicant’s personality, leadership skills, and involvement in extracurricular activities. Most schools require applicants to interview with members of the admissions committee.
Some medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 to 8 years. Schools may also offer combined graduate degrees, such as M.D.-Ph.D., M.D.-MBA, and M.D.-MPH.
The initial phase of medical school involves classroom learning, small group discussions, and laboratory work. Courses cover anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology, medical ethics, and laws related to medicine. Students also acquire practical skills like taking medical histories, examining patients, and diagnosing illnesses.
In the second phase of medical school, students work with patients under the guidance of seasoned physicians in hospitals and clinics. Through clerkships or rotations in various areas, including internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery, they gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses.
Training
After medical school, nearly all graduates enter a residency program in their chosen specialty. Residencies usually take place in a hospital or clinic and can last from 3 to 9 years, depending on the specialty. Further specialization, such as in infectious diseases or hand surgery, requires additional training in a fellowship for 1 to 3 years.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed, with requirements varying by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty.
Licensure requirements include passing standardized national exams. M.D.s take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while D.O.s take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). For specific state information about licensing, you can contact your state’s medical board.
While board certification in a specialty is not mandatory for physicians and surgeons, it can enhance 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, which varies with the specialty. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from a medical certifying board. Examples of certifying boards include the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).
Exploring the Path to Becoming a Physician or Surgeon
In this section
Physicians and surgeons
Physicians and surgeons can choose to work in various medical specialties, such as cardiology, dermatology, pathology, or radiology. Their journey typically begins with a bachelor’s degree, followed by a medical school degree that takes an additional 4 years. Depending on their chosen specialty, they also need to complete 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Further specialization involves additional training in a fellowship for 1 to 3 years.
Education
Becoming a physician or surgeon not only requires a bachelor’s degree but also a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. There's no specific undergraduate degree required to enter an M.D. or D.O. program, but medical school applicants usually have a background in subjects like biology, physical science, or healthcare-related fields.
Getting into medical school is a competitive process. Applicants generally need to submit transcripts, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and letters of recommendation. Medical schools also value an applicant’s personality, leadership skills, and involvement in extracurricular activities. Most schools require applicants to interview with members of the admissions committee.
Some medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 to 8 years. Schools may also offer combined graduate degrees, such as M.D.-Ph.D., M.D.-MBA, and M.D.-MPH.
The initial phase of medical school involves classroom learning, small group discussions, and laboratory work. Courses cover anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology, medical ethics, and laws related to medicine. Students also acquire practical skills like taking medical histories, examining patients, and diagnosing illnesses.
In the second phase of medical school, students work with patients under the guidance of seasoned physicians in hospitals and clinics. Through clerkships or rotations in various areas, including internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery, they gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses.
Training
After medical school, nearly all graduates enter a residency program in their chosen specialty. Residencies usually take place in a hospital or clinic and can last from 3 to 9 years, depending on the specialty. Further specialization, such as in infectious diseases or hand surgery, requires additional training in a fellowship for 1 to 3 years.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed, with requirements varying by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty.
Licensure requirements include passing standardized national exams. M.D.s take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while D.O.s take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). For specific state information about licensing, you can contact your state’s medical board.
While board certification in a specialty is not mandatory for physicians and surgeons, it can enhance 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, which varies with the specialty. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from a medical certifying board. Examples of certifying boards include the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).