Education · 1 of 5

The path

Twelve to fourteen years after high school, depending on fellowships.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology, chemistry and physics, with the grades to get into a college where you can hold a high grade point average.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Any major, as long as you finish the pre-medical science courses and sit the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

3. 3

   Medical school

   4 years

   Two years of classroom science, two years of hospital rotations. You graduate as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).

4. 4

   Pathology residency

   3 to 4 years

   Three years if you train only in anatomic pathology or only in clinical pathology, four years for the combined track most people take.

5. 5

   Fellowship and boards

   1 to 2 years

   Most pathologists add a subspecialty year, then certify with the American Board of Pathology.