If you want to become a part of a medical profession in the state of Georgia, the following information will serve as a guide.
Should I Become a Doctor in Georgia?
Are you interested in helping sick people recover? If that is so, then becoming a doctor can be a great option for you.
| Education Required | Bachelor’s degree followed by a medical degree |
| License/Certification | Compulsory |
| Experience/Training | 3 – 9 year long residency |
| Key Skills | Organizational skills, Patience, Empathy, Dexterity, etc. |
| Annual Mean Salary – US (2020) | $218,850 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric) |
| Annual Mean Salary – Georgia (2020) | $251,300 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric) |
| Job Outlook – Georgia (2018-2028) | 18% (Physicians, All Others) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net Online
Steps to Become a Doctor in Georgia
In order to become a doctor in Georgia, you will have to follow a series of steps. These include the following:
- Complete an Undergraduate Degree
In order to be eligible to apply to medical schools, it is important for candidates to complete a 4-year long bachelor’s degree. No specific major is required, but it is recommended that you go for courses in the sciences to build a strong foundation for further studies.
- Enroll in a Medical School
After clearing your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), you can apply to several medical colleges in Georgia. Once selected, you will begin your 4-year long medical degree program. The first two years of this program would focus on classroom learning and lab work, while the later two years would involve supervised clinical practice.
- Complete a Residency
All medical doctors in Georgia are required to have completed at least a 1-year long residency program, before being eligible for employment in a healthcare facility within the state. This is an important bridging step between the educational and the real work healthcare setup.
- Get a License
Once you have met the educational and experience requirements, you can apply for a license through the Georgia Composite Medical Board. The eligibility criterion for various kinds of licensure for doctors in Georgia is listed in detail on the official website of the Board.
- Consider Getting a Specialization
If you want to work in a specialized area of medicine, you will need additional education and licensing. Specialization options include becoming anesthesiologists, internists, pediatricians, physiatrists or surgeons. Needless to say, specialized doctors typically earn higher salaries and enjoy better employment opportunities, as compared to general physicians.
How Much Does a Doctor Make in Georgia?
As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric” in Georgia earned a mean annual salary of $251,300 in 2020, a figure higher than the national mean annual US income of $218,850.
If you want to become a doctor in Georgia, you will have to spend a considerable amount of time to join the field, depending on the specialization you pick. To become a doctor, you will have to get a bachelor’s degree and then a medical degree (4 years). That will be followed by residency program (3-9 years) and then a fellowship (1-3 years) if you opt for a subspecialization.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Doctor in Georgia?
If you want to become a doctor in Georgia, you will have to meet the following requirements.
• Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Obtain a Medical degree.
• Complete a residency program.
• Complete licensure requirements.
Career Outlook for Doctors in Georgia
According to the data provided by O*Net Online, the category of “Physicians, All Others” is forecasted to enjoy an excellent growth of 18% in employment opportunities between 2018 and 2028.