1. Undergraduate Education:
- Duration: 4 years (Bachelor's degree)
- Major: Typically a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or a related discipline.
2. Medical School:
- Duration: 4 years
- Curriculum: Includes coursework in various medical sciences, clinical rotations, and hands-on patient care experiences.
3. Residency in Pediatrics:
- Duration: 3 years
- Training: Focuses specifically on the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. Residents work under the supervision of experienced pediatricians and gain practical experience in diagnosing and managing various pediatric conditions.
4. Fellowship (optional):
- Duration: 1-3 years (depending on the subspecialty)
- Specialization: Some pediatricians may choose to pursue additional training in a subspecialty such as cardiology, oncology, neonatology, or others.
Adding up these stages, it typically takes around 11-14 years of education and training after high school to become a pediatrician. This includes 4 years of undergraduate education, 4 years of medical school, and 3 years of residency in pediatrics. If a pediatrician chooses to pursue a fellowship, the total time may extend further.
Throughout this journey, aspiring pediatricians must successfully complete various examinations, including the MCATs (Medical College Admission Test) for medical school and board examinations to obtain their medical license and board certification in pediatrics.