Geriatricians are physicians, which means you will need to earn a medical degree to practice in the field. To start, you must first earn a bachelor's degree. From there, you can attend medical school. In medical school, you will need to complete residencies in both internal medicine and geriatrics.
Geriatricians must also earn and maintain licenses to practice medicine with the elderly population and may acquire specialty certifications through continuing education programs.
A geriatrician must first earn a bachelor's degree, and no specific degree is required to enter medical school. The Association of American Medical Colleges suggests taking courses in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and English.1 This coursework will help students meet medical school admission requirements.
Some future geriatricians choose to major in science-related disciplines, while others earn unrelated degrees. Medical schools require minimum GPAs, so you will need to do well in your undergraduate studies.
Additional pre–medical school tips for future geriatricians include:
- Medical volunteering: Medical school admission is a competitive process. Along with the highest GPA, volunteering in medical facilities can help you stand out. As a medical student who knows they want to study gerontology, try volunteering at assisted living centers or hospice facilities.
- Foreign language: When doctors speak multiple languages, they can better communicate with a diverse group of patients. Becoming fluent in more than one language will help you stand out in the medical school admissions process.
- Related degrees: Some students choose to major in an area related to geriatric work, such as psychology or social work. The coursework for these degree programs can help you support the mental and social health of your patients in the future.
Passing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required to apply to medical school. Juniors in college can sit for this exam, which includes multiple-choice questions in areas such as problem-solving and science.
After passing the MCAT, you can apply to the medical schools of your choice. Future geriatricians should research schools that specialize in geriatrics or in fields that are related to the needs of aging patients, such as oncology or neurology.
The first four years of medical school will include class work, labs and clinical work. The coursework takes place primarily in the first two years, leaving the last two years for clinical rotations. Students may be able to specialize at this time.
Geriatricians, along with all others who hope to practice medicine in the United States, must pass a licensing exam known as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). To become a licensed geriatrician, a medical student will need to pass the three parts of the exam that test principles related to medicine and patient care.
After successful completion of the licensing exam, a geriatrician will complete a residency in internal medicine. This is generally completed in a hospital or clinic that has a relationship with the medical school. Residencies lasts about three years and allow geriatricians to experience work in various medical specialties, such as cardiology, neurology and geriatrics.
A geriatrics fellowship lasts for one to two years after the residency is complete and takes place at a clinic, hospice, nursing home or other geriatric-related healthcare facility. A geriatrics fellowship gives physicians a chance to experience specialized hands-on training and participate in clinical research as well as train residents and medical students.
Physicians, including geriatricians, are required to participate in continuing education experiences to renew their medical licenses. These hours allow them to stay on top of current research. Geriatricians may find continuing education opportunities through the American Medical Association or work with healthcare facilities and industry organizations that offer training in specialized areas.
Geriatricians can also seek to earn board certification in geriatric medicine. While this certification is not mandatory, it does help geriatricians demonstrate their expertise in the field.
