1. Bachelor's degree: You must first complete a bachelor's degree, typically in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or health science. This typically takes four years.
2. Medical school: After completing your bachelor's degree, you must attend medical school. Medical school typically lasts four years and includes both classroom learning and clinical rotations in various medical specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology.
3. Residency: Upon completing medical school, you must complete a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. A residency typically lasts four years and involves working in a hospital setting under the supervision of experienced gynecologists. During residency, you will receive extensive training in both obstetrics (the care of pregnant women and childbirth) and gynecology (the care of the female reproductive system).
4. Licensing and certification: After completing residency, you will need to obtain a license to practice medicine in your state. You may also choose to become board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology by passing the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) certification exam.
In total, the duration of study to become a gynecologist typically takes around 12 years after high school: 4 years for a bachelor's degree, 4 years for medical school, and 4 years for residency.