To earn a medical school degree, individuals first should have a four-year bachelor's degree in a science field such as biology or chemistry. In addition, they must have completed undergraduate courses in subjects including math, physics and English. As part of the admissions process, applicants have to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation and scores on the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT. They additionally have to complete an interview with the school's admissions team. Students should look for medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association.
The first two years of completing a medical school degree involve classes such as pharmacology, microbiology/immunology, psychology and medical laws. In addition, students study medical ethics, pathology, physiology, biochemistry and anatomy. Neuroscience, genetics, biostatistics and histology are other initial medical school classes. Students get practice with diagnosing illnesses and taking patients' medical histories as well.
As part of the last two years of medical school, students work to master their physician skills. They apply what they learned during the first half of medical school through rotations in specialty areas such as pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry or family practice. They also gain experience working in obstetrics/gynecology and internal medicine in clinics and hospitals. Students use these rotations to practice giving preventive, chronic and acute care. Following the final two years of medical school, students can pursue a paid residency in their specialty area of interest, which lasts three to eight years. Most aspiring doctors of osteopathic medicine must complete a 12-month rotating internship before beginning a residency.
In addition to obtaining a medical school degree, students at schools such as Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts can choose to obtain a joint degree that also includes a doctoral degree in a field such as medical anthropology or health policy. Getting a joint medical degree and doctoral degree provides training in both medicine and research, and is suitable for individuals who want to become research physicians. Other joint degree options are a medical degree with a master's degree in public policy, business administration or public health.