Earning a bachelor’s degree typically requires around 120 credit hours. Medical schools typically require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in a science-related field, such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, with at least a 3.0 GPA. Additionally, applicants must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and complete prerequisite courses, which can include classes in math, physics, English, and social sciences.
After medical school, which typically takes four years to complete, medical school graduates must complete a three-year residency program in pediatrics. During this time, they gain hands-on experience diagnosing and treating children with a variety of illnesses and conditions, as well as learn about child development and behavior.
Some pediatricians also choose to pursue additional fellowship training in a subspecialty, such as pediatric cardiology, pediatric oncology, or pediatric neurology. These fellowships typically take one to three years to complete.
In total, the educational requirements to become a pediatrician typically take around 14-15 years, plus any additional time spent in fellowship training.