What bachelors degree should i get to be a doctor

What degree should I get for medical school? Which degree is better: BA or BS? Which degree is better: AA or AS? Bachelor of Science in Biology You will need to earn a Bachelors of Science in Biology before enrolling into medical school.

Common coursework needed to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree includes: Biology studies Chemistry Human genetics Physics In order to become a doctor, you can choose to major in various undergraduate studies, but you will need to take a significant number of classes in science studies. Medical College Admission Test Before you can enroll into a medical school, you will need to pass the MCAT, which is a multiple-choice test that covers biology, physical science, verbal skills, writing abilities, and critical thinking skills.

Medical Residency Taking between three to seven years, medical residency focuses on completing your practical training and experience in the medical environment. Getting inside people's heads minus the scalpel , is a great skill to have in a career in which you'll have to talk with patients and their families to solve medical mysteries and determine the most appropriate treatment plans.

You might not think a future doctor needs to understand accounting, marketing, and management. Think again. A business degree can be a great major for pre-med, especially if you end up running a medical facility or your own practice someday. Explore the benefits of a community college vs a university with Discover Student Loans. Explore four great reasons to consider a community college. Communications major studies past, current and future trend of media and its influences. Learn more about a communications degree and if it's right for you.

Do you know what steps to take if you get on a waitlist? Learn how college waitlists work, how you could get off the waitlist, and what to do while waiting. Knowing the differences can help you be better prepared. Learn how you can get a sense of your top choice schools without stepping foot on campus. Choosing a college major is one of the more difficult and impactful decisions students make. Prepare for this momentous decision with help from Discover Student Loans.

If you do not get the score you want, you can take the exam up to three times in a single year. Related: Learn About Being a Doctor. After successfully taking and passing the MCAT, you can now apply to medical school. To become a doctor, you must attend a school that is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation or by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

You can find which schools are accredited by visiting either of the organizations' websites. Most medical school programs are four years in length. The first two years of a medical school program involves laboratory and classroom work, while the last two years entail working under a doctor's supervision with real patients.

The coursework you can anticipate to cover while in medical school includes:. Coursework may vary depending on whether you choose to attend an osteopathic or allopathic medical school. During the program's clinical period, which typically begins in the third year, students learn about several specialty areas such as radiology, psychiatry and radiology.

This portion of the program allows students to experience various types of medical practice and decide on the type of residency they want to pursue after graduation. After the successful completion of a medical school program, you'll begin a residency program. These programs allow students to gain experience in the specialty area of medicine they wish to work in.

Specialty areas you can choose when attending a residency program include:. During a residency, students participate in a variety of hands-on activities related to being a doctor. Residencies can last anywhere from three to seven years, depending on the specialty. Most doctor positions do not require certification. Choose your undergraduate degree. Enter the Doctor of Medicine. To study medicine, you must first complete an undergraduate degree.