To become a neuroscientist, you typically need a science-related degree followed by advanced studies in neuroscience. These professionals study the brain and nervous system to improve treatments and understanding of neurological conditions.
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Approved and verified accurate by the associate dean of the College of Natural Sciences on May 2, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, including the brain. Neuroscientists explore the biological and chemical processes that occur in the brain. These professionals are usually medical scientists who may study everything from brain development to the treatment of brain tumors to the diagnosis of dementia. Some neuroscientists are also medical doctors who work directly with patients.
If you have a passion for science and an analytical mind, you might consider pursuing a career in neuroscience. From identifying key proteins for athletic performance to enabling paralyzed individuals to control computers with brain implants, neuroscientists help to advance human well-being.
A neuroscientist is a medical research scientist who studies the nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Neuroscientists may study a wide range of neurological disorders and diseases — ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to insomnia and beyond
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, including the brain. Neuroscientists explore the biological and chemical processes that occur in the brain. These professionals are usually medical scientists who may study everything from brain development to the treatment of brain tumors to the diagnosis of dementia. Some neuroscientists are also medical doctors who work directly with patients.
Explore how the brain works. Prepare to pursue graduate education and an exciting career in neuroscience.
Not all neuroscientists need a license. If you don’t wish to work directly with patients and prefer instead to focus on research, then you won’t need a medical license. If you want to become a clinical neuroscientist who works with patients, then you’ll need a medical license.4
To become a neuroscientist, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s degree and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). If you intend on working with patients, you will need to earn a degree from medical school and a physician’s license.4
Some future neuroscientists may major in neuroscience, while others major in biology.4 If you think you might like to go to medical school, choose a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine.
You can also choose a pre-med concentration even if you’re not quite sure yet whether you want to go into clinical or cognitive neuroscience; there is no obligation to go to medical school simply because you chose a pre-med degree.
The types of classes you’ll take will depend on the specific degree you’ve chosen. In general, however, you can expect to study topics such as the following:
After graduating with your Bachelor of Science degree (BS), your next step is to earn a graduate degree — either a master’s degree or jumping ahead directly to your PhD.4 Your graduate degree program should be more tightly focused on your intended career.
A PhD program in neuroscience will be an in-depth exploration of advanced topics in the field, ranging from neurotoxicology to phase plane neural oscillator analysis. A typical PhD program begins with coursework followed by a major exam before you get to work on your dissertation. Completing your dissertation will involve designing and conducting your own original research. After earning your doctoral degree, you’ll complete one or more postdoctoral programs. These are research-intensive positions that sometimes also involve teaching.
Alternatively, you may elect to go to medical school instead of earning a PhD. You’ll need to pass the medical licensing exam and complete clinical experience hours to become a medical doctor.4
A neuroscientist is a lifelong learner who continually strives to understand how the nervous system works in order to create new treatments for neurological disease and disorders.
The daily tasks of a neuroscientist depend on the work setting and employer. In general, however, these scientists may do any of the following in their quest to learn more about the nervous system:
A neuroscientist may also spend much of their time finding funding opportunities and writing grant proposals to keep their lab funded. Neuroscientists stay on top of the latest developments and research in their field by reading scientific journals and research papers. They also publish their own research in scientific journals.
Neuroscientists and other medical scientists can work across a wide variety of settings. Some of the most common employers include:3
You will need a medical doctor (MD) degree if you intend on working with patients as a clinical neuroscientist. If you desire advanced research training alongside your medical education, you may opt for a combined degree program. Some schools offer joint MD/PhD programs.
In addition to your PhD coursework and dissertation, you will need to take medical school classes and complete clinical rotations at a teaching hospital. You’ll also need to pass your physician licensing exams and complete a residency.
You can begin working toward a rewarding career in neuroscience when you enroll at Grand Canyon University. GCU offers a number of modern science degrees, including the Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine. This degree is designed to prepare graduates to pursue graduate-level education in neuroscience or apply for entry to medical school.
Additionally, the College of Natural Sciences hosts the Canyon Neuroscience Group for those looking to dive deeper into investigative research. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about your options at GCU.
There are numerous subfields within neuroscience, including cognitive neuroscience. This subfield focuses on the biological processes that support or facilitate cognition. In particular, cognitive neuroscientists study the relationships between the structures of the brain and their activity or cognitive functions.
In addition to cognitive neuroscience, the following are common specialties:
As you can see, there are many subfields in which to consider specializing when you choose a career in neuroscience. However, you don’t need to choose a subfield right away. You might not know exactly where your interests lie until you begin pursuing your graduate education.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the estimated job growth rate for all types of medical research scientists is 11% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than average. This indicates a need for about 16,800 new professionals during this time.1 The BLS states that the median annual salary of all types of medical scientists was $100,590 as of May 2024.2
