Dermatologist: Necessary Training And Education

Becoming a dermatologist requires hard work, good grades, and the determination it takes to get through several years of school after completing high school. Before you graduate high school, make sure that you are paying close attention to your grades. While they may not matter in the long run, they are the key to ensuring that you start your post high school education off on the right foot.

4-Year Degree:
Your learning begins at a four-year college with a pre-med major. Most students with dreams of becoming a dermatologist major in biology. Here you learn how the body works and the role of skin in the overall biological system. Concepts about health and well-being are introduced during this time. Make sure that you keep you grades up because getting into medical school is not easy with less than exceptional grades.

MCAT:
Before you graduation, you need to take the Medical College Admission Test, also known as the MCAT. Before you can even take the test, you must be able to show that you are have received and are receiving exceptional grades. Register and take this test during your third year in college to make sure you have plenty of time to re-take it if necessary.

Medical School:
As a senior, you want to apply to several different medical schools. The more schools you apply to the more options you will have available when it comes time to make a decision. Every dermatologist must go to medical school in order to work with patients. During this time, the emphasis is not necessarily on dermatology. You will learn a variety of things about the medical field in general. When you are finished with medical school and your pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination, you are a doctor.

Dermatology Residency Program:
Here things start to get very specific. A dermatology residence program gives you all the knowledge and experience necessary to become a dermatologist. Choose an accredited program and plan to work for about five years to complete your residency. Once completed, you will need to take two exams including one from the American Board of Dermatology and one from the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

At this point you are now a dermatologist. You can look to open your own practice but many people choose to work in conjunction with an already established practitioner to gain even more experience and to learn more about how a medical office runs. If you are interested in continuing your education, consider looking into the opportunity to participate in a dermatology fellowship in order to specialize in a certain field.