1. Bachelor's degree(typically 4 years): Students complete a bachelor's degree program, often majoring in science-related fields such as biology, chemistry, or physics. Some students may also choose to major in a non-science field, but they will need to complete the required science courses for medical school.
2. Medical school(typically 4 years): Students complete a four-year medical school program, which includes coursework in basic sciences (such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry), medical specialties (such as internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics), and clinical rotations.
3. Residency(typically 3-7 years): After graduating from medical school, physicians complete a residency program, which is a supervised training program in a specific medical specialty. The length of residency varies depending on the specialty, with some specialties (such as internal medicine) requiring three years of residency, while others (such as surgery) requiring five or more years.
4. Fellowship(optional, 1-3 years): Some physicians may also choose to complete a fellowship, which is an additional period of training in a subspecialty. Fellowships are not required for all medical specialties, but they can be helpful for physicians who want to specialize in a particular area.
In total, it typically takes 11-14 years of education and training to become a physician in the United States.
Additional factors that may affect the length of time it takes to become a physician:
* Your undergraduate major: Some undergraduate majors may require more science coursework than others, and this can affect how long it takes to complete the required prerequisites for medical school.
* Your choice of medical school: Some medical schools have longer or shorter programs, and this can affect the total time it takes to earn your medical degree.
* Your choice of residency: Some residency programs are longer or shorter than others, and this can affect the total time it takes to complete your training.
* Your career goals: If you want to specialize in a particular area, you may need to complete additional training, which can add to the total time it takes to become a physician.
Despite the long and rigorous training process, becoming a physician is a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others.