A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of disorders of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Due to the complexity of the nervous system and the seriousness of nervous system injuries and diseases, a neurologist requires a great deal of education, similar to other doctors in medical specialties. Undergraduate Degree An undergraduate degree, especially one with a scientific focus, will prepare a potential neurologist for admission medical school. A pre-med undergraduate will spend about four years at university, depending on the requirements of the individual school and the student's course load. Medical School Attending medical school is the first step of specialized medical training to become a neurologist. On average, medical school takes four years to complete, with the first two focusing on coursework and the last two spanning rotations through medical specialties. At the end of it, you will earn an M.D. degree. You must then also complete part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, the USMLE, in order to be licensed to practice medicine. Internship Before beginning a residency in neurology, you will have to complete a one-year internship. Your internship can be either specialized in neurology or a more general transitional rotation through internal medicine and other areas of medicine. You will take another part of the USMLE at the end of your internship, which completes the licensing to practice medicine unsupervised. Residency As a neurology resident, you will be practicing neurology under the guidance of more senior neurologists. You spend three or four years in a neurology residency, at which point you will be ready to start your own practice. You will also prepare to become a board-certified neurologist while completing your residency. Sub-specialization The practice of neurology spans many different areas. Most neurologists complete additional sub-specialization training after completing a residency. Areas of sub-specialization include brain injury, neurophysiology, epilepsy, hospice and palliative medicine, neurodevelopmental disorders, neuromuscular medicine, pain disorders, sleep disorders, and vascular neurology. Source
