What degree do you need to be a dermatologist?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

You need a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree to be a dermatologist. There is no such thing as a degree in dermatology in the United States medical education system. Therefore, you will need to follow these steps to become a dermatologist:

Obtain your undergraduate degree: Earn your degree in any subject that will allow you to complete your prerequisites for medical school.
Go to medical school: Complete coursework that takes place in the classroom and the lab. Look for clinical rotations that provide hands-on experience.
Take on clinical rotations: Take on as many clinical rotations as possible that are relevant to the practice of dermatology.
Apply for residency: Apply to a residency program that is specific to the American Board of Dermatology. There are 150 accredited dermatology residency programs.

The reason that you cannot earn a degree in dermatology is that this field progresses from general coursework to the most specific clinical training. It starts with undergraduate studies in basic science, moves to the advanced science of medicine and techniques for clinical practice, and finishes with on-the-job training.