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Become an OBGYN: Education Requirements and Career Information

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OBGYN Education Requirements
OBGYN is an acronym for ‘obstetrician/gynecologist,’ which is a term for physicians who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. OBGYNs diagnose and treat disorders of women’s reproductive systems, monitor pregnancies, and supervise childbirth. OBGYNs, like all medical doctors, must complete several years of education and obtain licensure to legally practice in the United States. Let’s take a look at the steps it takes to become an OBGYN.

How to Become an OBGYN
OBGYN requirements are extensive. They typically involve the following steps:

Obtain a bachelor’s degree
Take the MCAT
Attend medical school
Finish a medical residency
Get licensed
Step 1: Complete an Undergraduate Degree Program
What major does OBGYN fall under? There is actually no specific OBGYN major at the undergraduate level. Prospective students must pursue a four-year undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. OBGYN schooling requires significant dedication to studying hard, as this profession involves strong academic knowledge so that future OBGYNs can care for patients effectively. Students may consider taking courses in biology, chemistry, and anatomy, which provide a foundation of education for medical school and human health. Most programs that offer science degrees also include laboratory courses, which allow students to become familiarized with lab equipment and procedures.

Step 2: Pass the MCAT
The next step is to pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to gain entry into medical school. The MCAT is an intensive, day-long exam that tests students on biology, chemistry, and physics, in addition to reading and writing skills. Preparation for the MCAT can take many months in addition to undergraduate study. The Association of American Medical Colleges notes that roughly half of the students who apply to medical school are accepted. As a result, many pre-med students begin studying for the exam well in advance of college graduation.

Step 3: Complete Medical School
OB GYN education requirements continue into a four-year medical school program. Aspiring OBGYNs take many of the same courses as general physicians, but may choose classes with a concentration in obstetrics and gynecology. Rather than obtaining a specific OBGYN degree, prospective OBGYNs receive a standard medical degree with some degree of OBGYN specialization. Medical school programs also include extensive hands-on practice through clinical rotations in which students can gain experience in OBGYN.

Step 4: Complete a Medical Residency
The next step is to complete an internship and residency in a hospital. An internship is usually a year long, while a medical residency may last between 3-7 years. This is the final step in the OBGYN schooling years: from high school graduation to completing a medical residency typically takes between twelve and sixteen years. During a medical residency, OBGYN students are paid employees and may evaluate patients, create treatment plans, and observe patient progress.

Step 5: Obtain Licensure
The final step is to obtain a license. State licensure is mandatory in order to officially become an OBGYN. Students who are licensed can legally begin medical practice in the United States and its related territories. Licensure requires passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), which tests a physician’s ability to relate medical concepts and principles to their practice.

An OBGYN helps to deliver a baby
OBGYN Job Description
After all of this education, what does the day to day life of a practicing OBGYN actually look like? OBGYNs may have a variety of specializations, with some focusing specifically on gynecology or obstetrics in their primary practice. Some OBGYNs have their own offices, while others work alongside family doctors or in women’s health clinics. Other OBGYNs specialize in maternity and birth, meeting with pregnant individuals throughout their pregnancies and sometimes attending births. It all depends on a particular person’s areas of interest and the needs of the area in which they are working.

Success Tip: Inclusivity
For OBGYNs, creating a comfortable and accepting environment for all patients is of the utmost importance. OBGYNs should be careful to provide accurate and unbiased information regarding sexual health, pregnancy, and family planning. Many OBGYNs benefit from researching the sexual health needs of transgender individuals, working with individuals on fertility issues, and understanding the particular social and political issues facing their communities. Researching and fully understanding the needs of survivors of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and other trauma can also be a great way for OBGYNs to help their patients. Visiting an OBGYN can be a nerve-wracking for many people for a number of reasons, and it is up to OBGYNs to make their practices as safe and inclusive as possible for this reason.

Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job decline of 1% for obstetricians and gynecologists from 2019-2029, with around 300 jobs disappearing. The BLS reported the mean annual salary of OBGYNs as $233,610 as of May 2019. Those working in management, physicians’ offices, and outpatient care centers had the highest income in this field.

To become an OBGYN, you need to complete an undergraduate degree and medical school, along with an internship or residency, and then obtain a state medical license.

 
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