How To Become a Pediatrician: A Comprehensive Guide

A medical career is a noble calling that yields a lifetime of rewarding experiences. Regardless of specialization, caring for others is deeply ingrained in our DNA. However, in recent years, the number of MDs in the U.S. specializing in pediatric medicine has dwindled.

Pediatricians are valuable members of the medical community who help millions each year, focusing specifically on the well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults.

In many respects, the pathway to becoming a pediatrician is similar to that of any other doctor. If you’re interested in beginning your journey, we’ve outlined what it takes to become a pediatrician.

What Is a Pediatrician?

A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the unique health care needs of children, including childhood illnesses, development, and preventive care. Pediatricians typically treat patients from infancy to age 18, though they may provide care to patients of any age.

Pediatricians contribute to patient health by offering preventive care, early detection of potential health problems, diagnosis and treatment of childhood diseases, developmental monitoring, and identification of behavioral or mental health concerns.

Many children see the same pediatrician for their entire childhood, which provides the family with care that is both consistent and personalized.

Parents can consult their child’s pediatrician for a wide variety of medical conditions. Some common conditions treated by pediatricians include:

• Respiratory infections
• Digestive issues
• Allergies
• Infectious diseases (like chickenpox or measles)
• Skin conditions (like rashes or eczema)

Beyond that, pediatricians also treat:

• Minor injuries (such as fractures or sprains)
• Chronic conditions (like diabetes or asthma)
• Chronic pain conditions

For children with chronic health issues, pediatricians can provide steady support that offers familiarity and comfort.

Educational Path To Becoming a Pediatrician

To become a pediatrician, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree, followed by a Doctor of Medicine (MD). It is essential to have a solid foundation in the sciences during your undergraduate studies.

Many students choose majors that align with med school prerequisites, but this isn’t a requirement. As long as you complete your premed coursework, you can pursue any major that interests you. Common majors for those planning on becoming a pediatrician include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Premed
• Child psychology
• Human development

Keep the following in mind when deciding your undergraduate major:

• Consider your strengths and interests.
  • Think about subjects you excel in, as well as what you are passionate about learning. You will feel more motivated and earn better grades if you are genuinely engaged in your classes.
• Fulfill premed requirements.
  • Most medical schools will require you to complete a premed track that covers courses like biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Some may also require courses in biochemistry and mathematics. Make sure to research schools you are interested in so you can meet their specific prerequisites.
• Explore your options.
  • Many undergraduate majors could benefit you in your med school journey. Be sure to consider all fields, including the hard sciences, mathematics, and even soft sciences like psychology or the humanities. Consider double-majoring in science and another subject to broaden your knowledge base.
• Seek guidance.
  • Reach out to your professors, your school’s premed advisor, and even mentors like current medical students or physicians to gain valuable insights and advice to guide you on your journey. You should also explore online resources, such as the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Medical School Admissions Requirements^™ (MSAR^®).

Steps To Becoming a Pediatrician

Earning your undergraduate degree is just one part of the process of becoming a pediatrician. In the final years of your undergrad studies, there are several steps to complete as well, starting with medical school applications.

Before Applying to Medical School

If you are considering attending medical school to become a pediatrician, research the institutions you’re interested in to assess which might be the best fit for you. Build strong relationships with your professors and other mentors during your undergraduate program. Trusted advisors can offer you invaluable insights and guidance, as well as write positive letters of recommendation to submit with your med school applications when the time comes.

You will also need to take the Medical College Admission Test^® (MCAT^®), a computer-based, multiple-choice exam required for medical school applicants.

Begin early to prepare adequately for the test. There are many resources available to help you study, including the Association of American Medical Colleges’ practice exams and question sets. Khan Academy and Sketchy also offer MCAT^® prep materials.

Applying to Medical School

The application process for med school officially starts with your primary applications, also called “primaries.” You’ll submit these using an application service such as the American Medical College Application Service^® (AMCAS^®).

Your primary medical school applications will include:

• Your academic background (including GPA and relevant coursework)
• Your MCAT^® score
• Any experience in the medical field (to demonstrate your interest)
• Letters of recommendation from your professors and/or mentors
• A personal statement
• Application fees

After you have submitted your primaries, you’ll wait for them to go through a verification process. You may then be asked to submit a secondary application, which typically consists of school-specific essay questions for you to answer.

If a school accepts your application, the next step is usually an interview. Interviews are a vital part of the process where you have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and passion for medicine. You should prepare for interviews just as you would for any other part of the application process.

Schools will ultimately inform you whether you have been accepted. If accepted to multiple schools, you’ll be able to choose which one to attend. Be sure to promptly communicate with any schools to which you are accepted and inform them of your decision.

Attending Medical School

To become a pediatrician, you must complete four years of medical school, obtaining either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree. The first two years of med school will focus on classroom learning, while the last two years will consist of clinical rotations.

Your classroom studies will provide a strong foundation in scientific subjects, such as anatomy and biochemistry. Clinicals will offer you hands-on experience in patient care. During this period, you’ll have the opportunity to specialize in potential future focus areas, including pediatric medicine.

Residency Training

After you complete your MD or DO program, you must then complete a residency in pediatrics that typically lasts about three years. Your residency will include clinical rotations in professional medical settings such as hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices.

During your pediatric residency, you will gain hands-on experience in providing comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents. Some residencies offer training in specialized areas of pediatrics in addition to general pediatrics.

Licensing and Board Certification

Physicians in the United States are required to obtain a license to practice medicine. You’ll get your license by completing the United States Medical Licensing Examination^® (USMLE^®).

The USMLE^® is broken down into three major steps:

• Step 1: Exam that assesses mastery of foundational sciences
• Step 2: Clinical Knowledge (CK) exam that assesses the ability to apply medical knowledge in practice
• Step 3: Final exam for license to practice medicine without supervision

You’ll complete Step 1 around the end of your second year of med school, Step 2 during your fourth year, and Step 3 during your residency.

Additional Training

Doctors who have completed a three-year residency are also eligible to obtain board certification. While not required, it is highly recommended to complete this step, as it demonstrates to employers and patients that you have gone above and beyond state licensure requirements.

To become board-certified as a pediatrician, you must pass an examination administered by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). You must also complete continuing education throughout your career as a pediatrician to maintain this certification.

Skills and Qualities of a Successful Pediatrician

Successful pediatricians require skills beyond those obtained through medical school and training alone. As a pediatrician, you will also need strong communication skills to clearly explain preventive care, health conditions, and treatment options to parents and children in a way they can understand.

Finally, a high level of critical thinking and problem-solving skills is required for a successful career in pediatric medicine, as you will, of course, need to accurately diagnose conditions and develop effective treatment plans for your young patients.

Career Opportunities and Specializations

Pediatric careers can vary widely depending on your specific subspecialty, work environment, and desired career path. Fellowships are one way to explore a medical specialization during your studies.

Fellowship Options

Fellowships aren’t mandatory, but they are recommended if you wish to obtain advanced expertise in a particular area of pediatrics. They take place after residency, and can last one to three years depending on your preferred pediatric specialty.

Some common pediatric fellowships include:

• Neonatology (newborn care)
• Cardiology
• Hematology/oncology (blood diseases and cancer)
• Critical care
• Emergency medicine
• Infectious diseases
• Endocrinology (hormonal and metabolic disorders)
• Pulmonology (respiratory conditions)
• Adolescent medicine

Fellowships in these areas can lead to further specialization in common pediatric subspecialties, including:  

• Neonatology (newborn care)
  • Neonatologists are responsible for the day-to-day care of critically ill infants. They also attend high-risk deliveries and provide supportive care of infants from birth.
• Cardiology
  • Pediatric cardiologists primarily care for children with congenital or acquired cardiac and cardiovascular abnormalities.  
• Hematology/oncology (blood diseases and cancer)
  • Pediatricians who specialize in hematology/oncology are focused on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and blood diseases (such as leukemia) in children.
• Critical care
  • A pediatric critical care doctor, known as a pediatric intensivist, cares for infants and children with serious diseases and/or those who require a high level of monitoring in a specialized inpatient unit. Critical care includes the monitoring and treatment of children with trauma injuries, septic shock, seizures, cardiac failure, or organ transplants.
• Emergency medicine
  • A pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) doctor is primarily responsible for any children who come to the emergency room of a hospital. PEM physicians are trained to treat a wide range of simple and complex conditions, as the needs of emergency patients can vary greatly.  
• Infectious disease
  • Pediatric infectious disease doctors focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases in children.  
• Endocrinology (hormonal and metabolic disorders)
  • Pediatric endocrinologists care for children with metabolic or hormonal disorders, including diabetes, hypoglycemia, and obesity.
• Pulmonology (respiratory conditions)
  • A pediatric pulmonologist specializes in respiratory conditions in children, from asthma and pneumonia to chronic respiratory failure and lung disease. Many pulmonologists specialize further in areas such as cystic fibrosis and sleep medicine.
• Adolescent medicine
  • Physicians specializing in adolescent medicine focus on areas such as adolescent primary care, mental health care, and reproductive and sexual health care. Other areas of specialty include adolescent eating disorders, chronic pain, substance abuse, and sports medicine.  

Where Does a Pediatrician Work?

Common pediatric work environments include:

• Hospitals  
• Clinics
• Private practice
• Academic or military institutions
• Emergency rooms
• Intensive care units
• Urgent care centers  
• Home health care

Your specific career path as a pediatrician is largely up to you and your personal preferences. There are numerous potential career paths within pediatrics, encompassing a diverse range of specialty areas. Knowing you want to work with children is just the first step in your journey to becoming a pediatrician. You will have many choices to make as you move forward.  

Continuing Your Journey at Ross University School of Medicine

If you’re ready to learn the practice of pediatric medicine—the hands-on skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in health care in the U.S., Canada, or beyond—you belong at Ross Med.  

Our students receive a rigorous medical education, with opportunities for early hands-on experiences in the Barbados community before returning to the U.S. for clinical rotations and residency.  

Immerse yourself in Ross Med’s Medical Sciences coursework and labs, and gain hands-on experience alongside physicians across Barbados. Then, seamlessly transition to the U.S. for clinical rotations at our affiliated teaching hospitals.

• Years 1 and 2: Medical Sciences (Barbados)
• Year 3: Clinical Sciences (affiliate hospitals)
• Year 4: Elective Rotations (affiliate hospitals)
• After Graduation: Residency (affiliate hospitals)

Even before your medical school journey begins, you’ll find a rich network of academic support resources at Ross Med.

As a Ross Med student, you will meet regularly with faculty advisers to identify your strengths and plan your path through medical school. Together, you and your faculty mentors will develop individualized study plans for coursework and exams.

As you move through your clinical education curriculum, Ross Med’s clinical faculty, the academic dean, and core specialty clinical chairs will provide you with a wellspring of knowledge and guidance on career development, attaining residency, and patient care.  

Ross Med graduates have secured residencies at renowned medical institutions, including SUNY, Texas Tech, and Lincoln Medical Center, and subsequently serve as licensed pediatricians in the U.S., and Canada.

Begin your medical career by learning more about our programs today!