How Many Years of College Does It Take to Be a Doctor?
It usually takes somewhere between 11 and 16 years to become a practicing M.D. After four years at an accredited college and four years at a medical school, a doctor must complete a residency of three or more years.
A medical student must first gain a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree with concentrations in areas such as biology or chemistry. For those intending to be a doctor, choosing a college with a strong premedical program is recommended. Following four years in college, the student must attend an LCME-accredited medical school to proceed. At the completion of medical school, the student receives a doctor of medicine degree but cannot practice independently. At this point, the aspiring doctor must complete a residency program.