How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More
Surgeons
Surgeons treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation.
What degree do you need
PhD
One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Surgeons or what courses do I need to take.
We also asked Surgeons what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.
Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency Program |
General Surgery Residency Program |
Neurological Surgery Residency Program |
Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program |
Plastic Surgery Residency Program |
Surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all Surgeons complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency programs. Most applicants to medical school have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have advanced degrees. Although no specific major is required, all students must complete undergraduate work in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and English.
How hard is it
You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge and experience to be a Surgeon. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, a surgeon must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Careers in this difficulty category may need some on-the-job-training, but most of these careers assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, and work-related experience and training. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, neurologists, and veterinarians.
License and certifications
All states require surgeons to be licensed; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school, complete residency training in their specialty, and pass written and practical exams. All surgeons must pass a standardized national licensure examination. M.D.s take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). D.O.s take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). For specific state information about licensing, contact your state’s medical board.
Skills required
We asked other Surgeons if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.
1. | Active Listening what does this mean |
2. | Critical Thinking what does this mean |
3. | Complex Problem Solving what does this mean |
4. | Judgement and Decision Making what does this mean |
5. | Reading Comprehension what does this mean |
= Hot in-demand that most employers are looking for
Knowledge required
Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Surgeons are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.
1. | Medicine and Dentistry what does this mean |
2. | Customer and Personal Service what does this mean |
3. | English Language what does this mean |
4. | Biology what does this mean |
5. | Education and Training what does this mean |
Learn more about Surgeons
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Related to Surgeons Requirements
Surgeons requirements, how to become Surgeons, degree required to be a Surgeon, Surgeons license and certifications, majors to be a Surgeon, is it hard to become a Surgeon and how long does it take