Healthcare & Human Services

Pediatrician

What To Learn

High School

Suggested Steps to Prepare for a Pediatrician Career (Grades 6-12)

Check out the recommended classes, activities and skills below for each grade level. These recommendations are very general -- discuss your specific course plan with your school counselors and teachers.

AI-assisted and curriculum-reviewed guidance. Talk with your counselor or teacher about your specific plan.
Grades 6-8

Helpful Classes

  • Science
  • Health
  • Math
  • Communication

Things to Try

  • Practice measuring, observing, and recording details during science or health activities, Learn how body systems work and explain how health habits affect them, Role-play listening carefully and giving clear instructions during a care scenario, Interview a pediatrician about safety, observation, and helping patients

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Helpful Classes

  • Biology
  • Health Science
  • Algebra I
  • English
  • Computer Applications

Recommended Learning Areas

  • body systems
  • health careers
  • measurement
  • records
  • communication

Things to Try

  • Join a health science club or volunteer in a school wellness activity, Practice taking simple measurements and recording them clearly and accurately, Study body systems, symptoms, or treatment steps and explain them in plain language, Shadow a pediatrician or healthcare worker to learn how patient information is documented

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Helpful Classes

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Health Science
  • Algebra II
  • Medical Terminology

Recommended Learning Areas

  • anatomy
  • medical terms
  • lab safety
  • patient support
  • health records

Things to Try

  • Use anatomy models, lab activities, or simulations to connect symptoms to body systems, Practice communication and empathy in patient-support role plays, Learn how health records, charts, or medication instructions are organized, Volunteer in a clinic, senior center, or community health event if available

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Helpful Classes

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Chemistry
  • Health Science
  • Statistics
  • Psychology

Recommended Learning Areas

  • patient care
  • treatment procedures
  • anatomy and physiology
  • documentation
  • health ethics

Things to Try

  • Complete a health science project focused on patient care, testing, therapy, or treatment support, Observe how healthcare teams document findings, explain next steps, and follow safety rules, Compare tools or procedures used in diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation, Interview a healthcare professional about accuracy, ethics, and communication

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Helpful Classes

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Medical Terminology
  • Health Science Practicum
  • Biology
  • Psychology

Recommended Learning Areas

  • clinical procedures
  • patient communication
  • health records
  • safety and infection control
  • care planning

Things to Try

  • Build a portfolio with clinical notes, anatomy knowledge, safety procedures, and care scenarios, Compare pathways in direct care, diagnostics, therapy, dental, or medical support, Complete a capstone tied to patient observation, documentation, or treatment support, Practice professional communication, confidentiality, and safety in healthcare settings

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

First professional degree

In addition to requiring a bachelor’s degree, physicians and surgeons typically need either a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Depending on their specialty, they also need 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Subspecialization includes additional training in a fellowship of 1 to 3 years.

Insider Info

Education

dotPediatricians, like other physicians, must go through many years of training and schooling. In total, pediatricians complete at least 12 years of post-secondary education.

Most medical school applicants have a bachelor's degree. Some have an advanced degree. Required pre-med classes include physics, organic and inorganic chemistry and biology. Students should also concentrate their coursework on English, the humanities, math and the social sciences.

After completing a bachelor's degree, there are four years of medical school and at least three years of residency. If you want to go after a subspecialty, it will take at least two additional years of residency training.

All states require physicians to be licensed. That involves graduation from an accredited medical school, completion of a licensing examination and at least three years of residency.

"Getting into medical school is competitive, so... you have to have good marks in order to make the grades to get into medical school," says Dr. John Moore. He's a pediatrician in Virginia.

"If it's a dream of yours, don't give it up," says Dr. Moore. "You can continue working on your marks, you can continue working on your test scores, you can retake some of the classes, and you can shadow [a doctor] and get recommendations, you can get mentors.

"If it's a dream of yours, find a way to make it happen," Dr. Moore continues. "But the marks are important. If you don't have them the first time around, I know lots of very competent, very successful pediatricians who didn't get into medical school on their first try but kept on trying."

Dr. Anita Chandra echoes Dr. Moore's comments. She's a pediatrician in Chicago.

"You do have to do well in school," she says. "You first have to do well in high school to get into college. Then you have to do well in college to get into a good medical school, and then in medical school there are several testing points....

"I think an individual who's truly determined and does well will be able to get to their goal, but you have to do well all along," adds Dr. Chandra.

Extra Requirements

All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty. All physicians and surgeons also must pass a standardized national licensure exam. M.D.s take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). D.O.s take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). For specific state information about licensing, contact your state's medical board. Certification is not required for physicians and surgeons; however, it may increase their employment opportunities. M.D.s and D.O.s seeking board certification in a specialty may spend up to 9 years in residency training; the length of time varies with the specialty. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from a certifying board including the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

For additional information, visit these websites: