The Magnolia State is home to some of the finest medical schools that are striving to produce skilled and trained health care professionals. If you think that you have what it takes to make it to medical school and excel in a medical career, then you have come to the right place. Skim through this article to understand how to become a doctor in Mississippi.

Should I Become a Doctor

There are many reasons to opt for a career in medicine. This profession will take you on a path of continuous progress and personal development. Moreover, this field offers stability and lucrative financial gains. If all this sounds exciting to you, then you should definitely aim for this profession.
There is a long list of education and training requirements that Physicians and Surgeons must meet. Take a look at the following table to familiarize yourself with these requirements. The following occupational data has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education Required Doctoral/professional degree.
Training Residency/internship.
Licenses/Certifications A medical license is needed.
Key Skills/Qualities Physical Stamina, Detail Oriented, Compassion, Problem Solving Skills, Patience, Dexterity and Organizational Skills.
Annual Mean Salary – US (2020) $218,850 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric)
Annual Mean Salary – Mississippi (2020) $184,170 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric)
Job Outlook – Mississippi (2018-28) 6%

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net Online

Career Outlook

As per the data reported by BLS, Physicians and Surgeons are expected to experience an employment growth of 7% from 2018 to 2028. This will lead to a creation of 55,400 jobs in this time period. The demand for these healthcare workers will be driven by an aging baby boom population, which will need more healthcare services due to their deteriorating health.

Steps to Become a Doctor in Mississippi

In order to become a licensed doctor in Mississippi, individuals have to go through the following stages.

  1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

  2. Completing the pre-medical curriculum is the first step of the process. Thus, aspiring doctors can enroll in a bachelor’s degree and specialize in any field they want to, as long as they complete the pre-med coursework, which includes modules related to General Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Mathematics. Admission to a medical school is not only determined by the completion of the required pre-requisites. Other factors include Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and GPA scores. Thus, students are advised to prepare well for the MCAT if they want to get admitted into a good medical school.

  1. Graduate from a Medical School

  2. Once students get admitted to a medical school, they will have to complete a four-year course of study leading to a Doctor of Osteopathy or a Doctor of Medicine. During their time at medical school, candidates will get to study a range of topics related to Biochemistry, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Neurobiology, Psychiatry, Clinical Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Public Health. Upon completion of the doctoral degree, students will have to complete a minimum of one year of post-graduate training.

  1. Submit a Licensure Application

  2. The final stage involves filing an application to the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. Please note that individuals have to clear the licensing exam in order to be granted a state license. If the candidate is unable to receive a medical license after one year from the date of the receipt of the licensure application, then his/her application will be considered void. The candidate will then have to apply for the license again.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor in Mississippi?

It can take up to nine or more years to establish a career in medicine. First, the candidates have to complete four years of undergraduate study. Then, they have to graduate from a four-year long medical school. And lastly, they have to complete their residency training. The training period for each individual differs depending upon the specialization, but it usually lasts between three to seven years.

What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Doctor in Mississippi?

The candidate must:

  • Have graduated from a reputable college of osteopathic medicine or a medical college.
  • Have cleared the licensing exam.
  • Have completed at least one year of postgraduate training.
  • Be of a good moral character.
  • Have filed a licensure application and submitted the fee prescribed by the state board.
  • Submitted fingerprints for national and state criminal history background checks.

How Much Do Doctors Earn in Mississippi?

As per the information published on BLS, Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric working in Mississippi made a yearly mean wage of $184,170 in May 2020.

Career Outlook for Doctors in Mississippi

According to O*Net Online, “Physicians, All Other” will enjoy a 6% increase in employment opportunities between 2018 and 2028 in the state of Mississippi.