What Type of Education Do You Need to Become an OB GYN?

An OB/GYN, short for obstetrician and gynecologist, is a doctor who treats women and the diseases and health concerns that specifically affect them. These professionals also perform procedures, such as hysterectomies and laparoscopies. Becoming a certified OB/GYN requires over eight years of higher education, plus a residency at a clinic or hospital. Once you complete all of the education, you must pass two board exams and obtain a state license.

High School

Many people pursuing a medical career recognize their ambitions from an early age. It is important to get high grades in high school to get accepted into a prestigious four-year college or university. There are also fast track programs to medical school that are even more difficult to get into. High grades, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, a 1990 or higher on the SAT and a 29 or higher on the ACT can all improve your chances at acceptance into a fast track program.

College

Upon entering college, a prospective OB/GYN needs to enroll in a pre-med program or take all of the prerequisite courses for medical school. Coursework includes chemistry, biology, physics, genetics and organic chemistry. Performing well in each course, with an average GPA of 3.5 or higher, will factor significantly in your acceptance into medical school. During the last two years of college, you prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and aim to score an 11 or higher. The MCAT is typically required along with the application to medical school.

Medical School

Medical school is the next four years of higher education for an OB/GYN. Generally, the first two years of medical school take place in the classroom, and the last two are spent in a clinic or hospital. Courses in medical school include biochemistry, anatomy and pathology. During the third and fourth years, students rotate through different departments in a clinic or hospital, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics and OB/GYN. The fourth year primarilyinvolves OB/GYN clinical electives, such as high-risk obstetrics, endocrinology and ambulatory OB/GYN. During the fourth year, you apply for a residency program through a computer matching method. "The match" helps pair your top choices with various residency programs. This is sometimes the hardest part of the whole education process as oftentimes there are 1,000 applicants for a residency program that only has five or six openings.

Residency

The last four years of education involve a residency in a hospital or clinic, performing OB/GYN duties and overseeing medical students. As a resident, you must be on-call and respond to emergencies and births at any time. Once residency is completed, the prospective OB/GYN must apply for a state license through the American Association of Medical Colleges and pass two different national board exams. On exam is a written exam and the other an oral exam.