The M in MD stands for “Medical Doctor”. MD is a professional doctoral degree for physicians and surgeons in the United States, Canada, and some other countries. It is one of the most widely recognized professional doctoral degrees in the world.
MD stands for “Doctor of Medicine”. It is a professional doctorate degree awarded upon graduation from medical school in fields like allopathic medicine (MD) and osteopathic medicine (DO) in the United States and Canada. Other countries use different naming systems for their medical doctors, like MBBS in the UK, India, and several other countries that follow the British system.
The MD degree is awarded to medical students upon completion of medical school. Depending on the jurisdiction and university, medical school typically takes 4-6 years to complete after receiving a bachelor’s degree. Following graduation, new MD physicians undergo residency training in a specialty lasting 3-7 years before practicing independently. MD-awarded physicians are licensed to practice medicine, prescribe medication, and perform surgery.
Prerequisites for MD Programs
To be eligible to apply for admission to an MD program, students typically need:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college/university
- Completion of pre-medical prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, math, etc.
- Competitive GPA (minimum 3.0, average admitted is 3.7)
- Competitive MCAT exam scores
- Healthcare-related experience (clinical or research)
- Letters of recommendation
The path to becoming an MD typically starts in college. Pre-med students take rigorous science courses to meet medical school prerequisites while maintaining high grades. They also gain healthcare exposure through clinical volunteering, medical research, or EMT certification. The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is taken during junior or senior year.
Medical School Curriculum
The core MD curriculum generally includes:
- Basic Sciences: Anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, microbiology, immunology
- Clinical Sciences: Internal medicine, pediatrics, OBGYN, general surgery, psychiatry, neurology, family medicine
- Public Health: Epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, public health
The first 1-2 years focus on classroom instruction and lab work in the basic sciences. The remaining years are spent in clinical rotations and clerkships in hospitals and clinics with hands-on patient care across medical specialties.
Upon successful completion of all required coursework and clinical rotations, as well as passing the USMLE board exams, the final MD degree is awarded by the medical school.
Residency Training
After graduation, new MD physicians go through residency training in a medical specialty such as:
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- General Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
- Anesthesiology
- Emergency Medicine
Residency programs last 3-7 years depending on the specialty. Residents get intensive clinical training under supervision of attending physicians. After completing residency training, physicians can then practice medicine independently in their specialty.
Licensing and Certification
To obtain an unrestricted medical license and practice independently, physicians with an MD degree must:
- Pass all required USMLE board certification exams
- Complete accredited residency training program
- Apply for and obtain a state medical license
- (Optional) Get board certified in a specialty through an ABMS member board
Board certification demonstrates a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and is often required for hospital privileges and certain types of employment. Maintenance of board certification includes periodic recertification exams, CME credits, and other requirements.
Comparison to Other Medical Degrees
Here is a comparison of the MD degree to other common medical degrees:
| Degree | Country | Years | Curriculum |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD | USA, Canada | 4 years undergraduate + 4 years graduate/medical school | Scientific knowledge + clinical rotations |
| MBBS | UK, India, Australia, etc. | 5-6 years undergraduate | Scientific knowledge + clinical rotations |
| MBChB | Scotland, South Africa | 6 years undergraduate | Scientific knowledge + clinical rotations |
While the program structure differs, all produce qualified physicians ready for graduate medical training and licensure. Certain degrees like MBBS and MBChB can also allow some direct entry right from high school.
Career Options for MD Degree Holders
With an MD degree and completed residency training, career paths include:
- Clinical practice – Diagnose and treat patients in hospitals, clinics, private practice
- Medical research – Conduct lab research and clinical trials to advance science and medicine
- Academic medicine – Teach future medical students and residents at universities
- Hospital administration – Manage hospital/health system operations and business strategy
There are many rewarding career options for MD holders, from hands-on patient care to training the next generation of physicians through teaching and research innovation.
Advantages of the MD Degree
Key advantages of the MD degree include:
- Produces some of the most highly trained clinical practitioners in the world
- Qualifies for licensure and board certification in the United States and Canada
- Reciprocity with other countries facilitates international practice
- Prestige associated with the degree opens doors academically and professionally
- Higher compensated specialty options compared to other degrees
- Wide selection of residency programs to specialize
The MD degree remains the gold standard for practicing clinical medicine in the United States and Canada. It signals completion of standardized and rigorous training to patients and employers.
Disadvantages of the MD Degree
Some potential downsides of the MD path include:
- Very long training period (8+ years postgraduate)
- High educational costs and debt
- Difficulty getting into top medical schools
- Stressful training environment and work-life balance challenges
- Less focus on population health than public health degrees
The MD training pathway is extremely long and intense. Medical school tuition also continues to rise with the average debt now over $200,000. However, high future earning potential makes it worthwhile for most.
Conclusion
The MD degree represents a major commitment to becoming a licensed physician. While the educational road is long and demanding, MD-trained doctors are highly competent clinicians prepared for the challenges of modern medicine. With an MD degree, fulfilling careers in patient care, academics, research, administration, and more become available. It remains one of the most well-recognized credentials in healthcare globally.