Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Being a Doctor of Medicine (MD) is an advanced career in the healthcare field. The MD program is a graduate-level degree that typically takes four years to complete and prepares students to practice medicine. The beginning coursework typically includes foundational sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. By the third year, students begin to experience clinical rotations in various medical specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry. During the final year, students complete more advanced clinical rotations and prepare for their residency, which is the next step in their medical training.

Becoming a Doctor of Medicine (MD)

The path to becoming a Doctor of Medicine (MD) is rigorous and competitive. After completing a bachelor's degree, students must apply to medical school and successfully complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Once accepted into medical school, students must complete four years of medical school, including clinical rotations, and pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). After graduating from medical school, doctors must complete a residency program, which is a period of supervised training in a particular medical specialty. The length of residency varies depending on the specialty, but most residencies last three to seven years.

Skills and Knowledge