What type of degree is required to become a pediatrician?

The undergraduate degree that one chooses does not matter in order to be a pediatrician (or any other type of physician for that matter)--he or she must simply take the appropriate premed classes, graduate from college, and be accepted into medical school. The classes one must take to get into medical school are the same no matter which kind of physician one wants to be. Generally, the premed requirements consist of a year of Biology, a year of inorganic chemistry, a year of organic chemistry, calculus, English, and a year of physics. (Check with a premed adviser to make sure that these have not changed).

If you know that you have a particular interest in Pediatrics, you might consider trying to volunteer with a clinic or hospital and finding an pediatrician who would serve as your mentor to see if it's really what you want to do and to show your interest in the field.

Once in medical school, all of the classes and rotations are the same for everyone until the fourth year, when elective rotations can be taken. You would need to apply to pediatric residency programs during that year of medical school and then complete a pediatrics residency (typically 3 years).

Dr. B.

To become a pediatrician you need:

4 year college degree

4 year medical school degree

3-4 years of an accredited residency program

For a combined total of 11-12 years of training after the completion of high school.