1. Bachelor's Degree: You'll first need a bachelor's degree, typically in a pre-med track, although it's not required to be specifically labeled as such. Strong performance in science courses (biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry) is crucial for medical school applications.
2. Medical Degree (MD or DO): After completing your bachelor's degree and taking the MCAT, you'll need to attend and graduate from medical school (either MD or DO programs). This is a four-year program.
3. Residency in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics: Following medical school, you'll complete a three-year residency in either Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. Allergists typically come from these two specialties.
4. Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology: After your residency, you'll complete a two-year fellowship in Allergy and Immunology. This fellowship provides specialized training in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases and immunologic disorders.
5. Board Certification: Upon completion of the fellowship, you can become board-certified in Allergy and Immunology. This demonstrates your competency and expertise in the field.
In short, while a bachelor's degree is the starting point, the minimum educational requirement to become an allergist is an MD or DO degree plus three years of residency and two years of fellowship training.