
As an aspiring student of pediatrics, you should always strive to get into the best and well-reputed college or university. In this article, we will take a look at the top colleges for pediatricians which are known all over the world for their course material and research facilities.
Did you know?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pediatricians who are self-employed earn higher than those who are employed with hospitals and clinics.
Pediatricians deal with the diagnosis and treatment of health issues in children. They either work independently, or are employed by hospitals and clinics. To become a pediatrician, one must complete graduation, obtain a medical degree and undertake a subsequent residency program. There are numerous colleges across America that offer specialized courses in pediatrics, and train students on treatment and care of children. However, you must seek education in the top colleges and universities for a secured future.
Best Colleges and Universities for Pediatricians
Following are some of the best educational institutions (both colleges and universities), which offer excellent and reputed pediatrician courses.
✧ University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
✧ Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
✧ Harvard University, Boston
✧ University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati
✧ University of Colorado, Denver
✧ NYU Langone Medical Center, New York
✧ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
✧ Stanford University, Stanford
✧ University of Washington, Seattle
✧ Medical College of Georgia (MCG), Augusta
✧ Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston
✧ Washington University, St. Louis
✧ University of California, San Francisco
✧ University of Wisconsin, Madison
✧ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
✧ Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon
✧ University of Iowa, Iowa
✧ Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
✧ University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
✧ University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
✧ University of Vermont, Burlington
✧ University of Rochester, Rochester
✧ Dartmouth College, Hanover
✧ UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Pediatrics, Los Angeles
✧ University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
✧ Oregon Health and Science University, Portland
✧ Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York
✧ UC Irvine Medical Center, Orange County
✧ University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
✧ New York University, New York
✧ University of Florida, Gainesville
✧ University of Arizona, Tucson
✧ Temple University, Philadelphia
✧ Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
✧ Wayne State University, Detroit
✧ University of Missouri, Columbia
✧ UCSF School Of Medicine, San Francisco
✧ Duke University, Durham
✧ Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta
Becoming a Pediatrician
If you are someone who aspires to be a pediatrician, remember that it will take around twelve years of rigorous education, including college and residency programs. Let us know more about how to become a pediatrician.
To become a pediatrician, you need to plan early. In your high school, you should choose subjects which include basic sciences such as biology, physics, and chemistry. You must then pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree course from an accredited university. You will need to take up pre-med major subjects, which involve biochemistry and others related to science. To get admissions in the best pediatric schools, you need to get good grades in your graduate course, and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Usually, the pediatric course is spread over four years, out of which the first two years are spent in classrooms and labs, and the next two years involve checking up patients under the supervision of an experienced pediatrician. On completion of four years, you will be awarded a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, after which you will have to join a residency program. The length of the residency program varies with the specialty, but on an average it takes another three years. During your residency program, you will start taking responsibility of patients, and develop necessary skills which will help you in your career. This may also involve working for 80 plus hours every week.
You will have to acquire a medical license before you start practicing as a professional pediatrician. Moreover, you will also be required to acquire a certification from the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics (AOBP).
Employment Outlook and Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has pointed out that employment opportunities for pediatricians will grow at the rate of 14%, which is faster than the average for other occupations. This is because of the fact that there is an increased awareness among parents about various diseases affecting infants and young children. The demand for quality pediatric care is rising every year and this trend is not only limited to urban areas alone, but also for low-income families and rural areas.
The average median salary for pediatricians is around $150,000. Those working in hospitals and clinics are also entitled to bonuses and commissions. Those with little or no experience earn around $90,000 per year and those with more than ten years of experience earn salaries in the excess of $200,000. New York, Houston, and Los Angeles are the cities that offer maximum opportunities to pediatricians. Also, California is the best state to work, followed by New York, and Texas.
As you can see from the employment outlook and average salary, a career as a pediatrician promises numerous rewards and benefits. Aspiring students may feel intimidated by the number of years of education and the amount of money it takes, but patience and perseverance are the keys to success in this field. We hope that this article will be useful for you and helps you in getting an insight on how to become a pediatrician.