Education · 1 of 5

The path

Fourteen to sixteen years after high school. There is no shortcut and no part-time version.

1. 1

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Any major, but you must finish the pre-medicine science courses and keep a very high grade average. Write the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).

2. 2

   Medical school

   4 years

   An MD (doctor of medicine) or DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) degree. Two years of science, then two years of clinical rotations in hospitals.

3. 3

   Surgical training

   6 to 8 years

   Two routes. The integrated route is a 6-year cardiothoracic residency straight out of medical school. The traditional route is a 5-year general surgery residency followed by a 2 to 3 year cardiothoracic fellowship.

4. 4

   Board certification

   After training

   Pass the written and oral examinations of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Congenital heart surgery is a further certificate on top.

5. 5

   State medical license

   During and after training

   Granted by the medical board of the state you practice in, after you have passed all three steps of the national licensing examination.