Are you considering a career in medicine? Do you enjoy working with women and babies? Then you might be interested in the field of obstetrics. This page will walk you through the process of how to become an obstetrician.
Obstetricians care for pregnant women and deliver babies. Becoming an obstetrician requires many years of training. Prospective obstetricians must earn a bachelor's degree, attend four years of medical school, and complete a residency in obstetrics before they are licensed as an obstetrician.
Career Planning : How to Become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist
The career planner on this video mentions that "you'll...need to obtain an undergraduate degree, preferably in pre-medicine". This is incorrect, and most colleges and universities do not even offer a major in pre-medicine. You need to complete a four year degree that includes all the courses required by medical school, and this is most easily done if you're majoring in biology or chemistry...but medical schools do not "prefer" students who have graduated with a major titled "pre-medicine".
Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree
The aspiring obstetrician's training begins in college. While many future doctors major in biology or chemistry, a science major is not required, as long a s you take all the math and science courses medical schools require. These may include:
- Biology
- Physics
- Organic chemistry
- Calculus
- Do well in your courses;many medical schools require a minimum GPA of 3.5, and some have even higher standards.StudentDoc: Medical School Requirements
- While in college, you'll also need to prepare for, and take, the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Step 2: Attend Medical School
Medical school will provide you with general medical training.
- The first two years of medical school are mainly comprised of classroom education, including lectures and labs, where you will study topics such as anatomy , physiology, pathology, microbiology, and medical ethics.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
- The final two years of medical school are spent working with patients in a clinical setting, and doing classroom work that supports the clinical rotations. You'll be exposed to many different types of medicine, including internal medicine, family practice, surgery, and pediatrics, in addition to obstetrics.
- While in medical school, you'll take the first two parts of the medical licensing exam, the USMLE. These are taken in the second and fourth years.
Step 3: Complete an Obstetrics Residency
Before being qualified to take the board examinations in obstetrics, and be board certified as an obstetrician, you need to complete a residency in obstetrics. An obstetrics residency will generally last about 4 years, with an opportunity to spend additional time if a fellowship is desired.
