A bachelor’s degree, an M.D. degree and license, and five to six years of advanced training in the subject through residencies and fellowships are required to become a pediatric neurologist. Physicians who meet all of these requirements are eligible to take board certification exams. Regionally, the path to this specialty may differ slightly, and it may take less or more time to complete.
Some argue that the first steps toward becoming a pediatric neurologist should be taken in high school. Students in high school can better prepare for college getting good grades. Advanced placement classes, particularly in math and science, are also beneficial because they provide college credit. Because advanced science topics must be studied in college, getting a few basic science requirements out of the way is a good idea. This step, on the other hand, isn’t entirely necessary, and students who were less focused in high school can catch up quickly in college.
When people start their four-year degree, they are frequently concerned about which majors are best for medical school. Pre-med is an option, but any major is acceptable as long as the student completes all of the prerequisite classes for medical school. These courses also prepare students for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT®), which they will take in their junior or senior year. Excellent grades and a strong MCAT® score are required for admission to a good medical school.
In many parts of the world, medical school consists of three years of study followed a year of internship. Students must complete a six-year program that begins at the college entry level in the United Kingdom, which is slightly different. Individuals who want to be pediatric neurologists will need to perform well in both cases in order to meet the demanding curriculum requirements.
During the internship year of medical school, students can choose to specialize or focus solely on earning an M.D. The majority of people who want to be pediatric neurologists apply to pediatric residency programs. Individuals are sometimes given neurology training instead.
In contrast to other specialties such as pediatric cardiology, completing a residency is usually not a priority. Applicants for fellowships to become a pediatric neurologist typically need two years of pediatrics or one year of pediatric and neurology training. Board-certified pediatricians and neurologists have a slight advantage when applying for fellowships, but this isn’t always the case.
The final step in becoming a pediatric neurologist is to complete a fellowship in this field. This will take about three years to complete. The last step is to apply to boards, take exams, and receive certification to practice as a licensed doctor in this field. This goal usually takes at least 13 years to achieve, including undergraduate studies, and the path can be challenging. Completing it, on the other hand, allows people to work in a vital and difficult field of medicine.