What is the field of Medicine?
Getting there:
- Bachelor's Degree (BA or BS), 2-4 years
Everyone requires a Bachelor's Degree before entering medical school. Whether it is Bachelor in Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), it doesn't matter. You just need one.
- Medical School (MD), 4 years
It is during Medical School where you attain your Medical Degree. Another type of degree that allows you to be a physician is the D.O. degree (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). Ultimately, it is a different route to the same job. During medical school, you will take your Step 1 and Step 2 USMLE licensing exams. It is required that you pass these exams in order to match into a residency (see the next section). Beyond passing, doing well on these exams enables you to apply for more competitive residency positions.
- Residency, 1-7 years
This is the period during which you will train as a physician in your specific field, whether that is Family Medicine, Dermatology, or anything in between. Essentially, you will learn how to become the physician you will be for the rest of your career. During this period, you are termed a "resident." Upon completion, you are termed an "attending physician." Additionally, you will complete Step 3 of your USMLE Licensing exam during this period.
- Fellowship, 1+ years
After residency, you have the option to further specialize. You can specialize from nearly any residency. For example, if you are in an Internal Medicine residency, you can specialize in Cardiology for an additional 3 year fellowship. You can further sub-specialize within Cardiology (i.e. Interventional Cardiology) with an additional 1 year fellowship.
- Bachelor's Degree (BA or BS), 2-4 years
Everyone requires a Bachelor's Degree before entering medical school. Whether it is Bachelor in Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), it doesn't matter. You just need one.
- Medical School (MD), 4 years
It is during Medical School where you attain your Medical Degree. Another type of degree that allows you to be a physician is the D.O. degree (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). Ultimately, it is a different route to the same job. During medical school, you will take your Step 1 and Step 2 USMLE licensing exams. It is required that you pass these exams in order to match into a residency (see the next section). Beyond passing, doing well on these exams enables you to apply for more competitive residency positions.
- Residency, 1-7 years
This is the period during which you will train as a physician in your specific field, whether that is Family Medicine, Dermatology, or anything in between. Essentially, you will learn how to become the physician you will be for the rest of your career. During this period, you are termed a "resident." Upon completion, you are termed an "attending physician." Additionally, you will complete Step 3 of your USMLE Licensing exam during this period.
- Fellowship, 1+ years
After residency, you have the option to further specialize. You can specialize from nearly any residency. For example, if you are in an Internal Medicine residency, you can specialize in Cardiology for an additional 3 year fellowship. You can further sub-specialize within Cardiology (i.e. Interventional Cardiology) with an additional 1 year fellowship.