What Are the Top Medical Schools for OBGYNs?
There are many top quality OBGYN colleges around the country that help students meet OBGYN educational requirements. Learn more about available schools, OBGYN residency programs, and licensure.
OBGYN Colleges
Medical students interested in focusing on obstetrics and gynecology can choose from several different OBGYN colleges around the country. These institutions consist of both public and private schools. The top OBGYN colleges are fully accredited by either the Liaison Committee on Medical Education for medical schools or the American Osteopathic Association for osteopathic medicine schools.
Other factors that may make a school one of the best for OBGYN include the emphasis/reputation for research in the field, high admittance standards, available resources, and overall quality of education. Explore some of the top OBGYN colleges in the table below.
<table border="1"><tr><th>School Name</th><th>Institution Type</th><th>Location</th></tr>
<tr><td>Johns Hopkins University</td><td>4-year, Private not-for-profit</td><td>Baltimore, MD</td></tr>
<tr><td>Harvard University</td><td>4-year, Private not-for-profit</td><td>Cambridge, MA</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Pennsylvania</td><td>4-year, Private not-for-profit</td><td>Philadelphia, PA</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of California-San Francisco</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>San Francisco, CA</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Michigan-Ann Arbor</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Ann Arbor, MI</td></tr>
<tr><td>Duke University</td><td>4-year, Private not-for-profit</td><td>Durham, NC</td></tr>
<tr><td>Yale University</td><td>4-year, Private not-for-profit</td><td>New Haven, CT</td></tr>
<tr><td>Columbia University</td><td>4-year, Private not-for-profit</td><td>New York, NY</td></tr>
<tr><td>Northwestern University</td><td>4-year, Private not-for-profit</td><td>Evanston, IL</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Pittsburgh</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Pittsburgh, PA</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i>
</p><h3 id="section---OBGYNEducationalRequirements">OBGYN Educational Requirements</h3><p>A student interested in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/OBGYN_How_to_Become_an_OBGYN_in_5_Steps.html">becoming an OBGYN</a> needs to be prepared to undergo a lot of formal education and training. A <a href="https://learn.org/articles/OBGYN_Job_Duties_Employment_Outlook_and_Educational_Requirements.html">career as an OBGYN</a> requires around 12 years of formal education to learn how to properly care for women's reproductive health. Learn more about the different levels of education required below.
</p><h4 id="section---UndergraduateEducation">Undergraduate Education</h4><p>All physicians must begin their education with a bachelor's degree, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Although there is no specific major requirement for medical school, it is helpful for aspiring doctors to take courses in science and mathematics in preparation. Many pre-medical tracks are available at the undergraduate level, typically paired with subjects like biology or chemistry, that help students complete the prerequisites for medical school. To prepare for medical school, students usually need to take courses in subjects like:
</p><ul><li>Physics
</li><li>Biology
</li><li>Chemistry
</li><li>Organic chemistry
</li><li>Math
</li><li>Psychology
</li><li>Statistics
</li><li>Biochemistry
</li></ul><h4 id="section---MedicalSchool">Medical School</h4><p>Medical school typically takes 4 years to complete and exposes students to research and clinical work in various areas of medicine. The first 2 years of medical school usually consist of coursework and lab work, while the next 2 years consist of clinical rotations. During rotations students may explore various areas of medicine, such as:
</p><ul><li>Obstetrics and gynecology
</li><li>Surgery
</li><li>Family practice
</li><li>Pediatrics
</li><li>Psychiatry
</li></ul><h4 id="section---OBGYNResidencyPrograms">OBGYN Residency Programs</h4><p>After medical school all physicians must complete a residency program in their desired area of specialization. For aspiring OBGYNs, this means completing a 4-year residency program that includes coursework and clinical experiences. Many of these programs offer additional areas of specialization within the field, including:
</p><ul><li>Gynecologic oncology
</li><li>Family planning
</li><li>Maternal fetal medicine
</li><li>Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
</li><li>Surgery
</li><li>Sexual medicine
</li></ul><h3 id="section---Licensure">Licensure</h3><p>After completing their residency program, all physicians must meet state requirements to practice. This usually requires licensure that can be obtained by taking the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination for MDs or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination for DOs.
</p><p>The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers board certification as an OBGYN, which requires doctors to submit a case list and pass a certifying exam after completing their residency. The organization also offers additional subspecialty certifications in the field that require additional certification exams.</p>