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Dermatologist

Millions of teenagers worldwide, save a very lucky few, deal with acne on a daily basis.  People of all age groups battle skin ailments, from simple irritations to acute disorders and chronic diseases.  And many skin specialists have reached retirement age, adding more strain to a field already hard-pressed by high service demand.  If you are considering becoming a doctor, excel in Science, Health, and Math, and would like join the next generation of choice skin experts, then you should become a Dermatologist.

Dermatologists are Physicians (skin specialists) who examine, diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions, disorders, and diseases of the human skin (acne/pimples, birth-marks, rashes, eczema/itchy-scaly skin, warts, psoriasis/red patchy-scaly skin, skin cancer, etc.), hair (dandruff, fungal infections, etc.), and nails (fungal infections, etc.).  They study the structure and functions of the skin, hair, and nails and relate ailments from internal sources in the body to determine how they may affect each.

The duties of a Dermatologist include but are not limited to:  recording, maintaining, and reviewing patients' medical history; examining skin to determine the nature of disease, taking blood samples, skin scrapings, tissue samples, and smears from affected areas;​ examining specimens under microscope and making various chemical and biological analyses to identify disease-causing organisms or pathological conditions; ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests; prescribing and administering medications and applying superficial radiotherapy; treating abscesses, skin injuries (burn, traffic accident, assault, etc.), and skin infections; treating scars using dermabrasion (removing superficial layers of the skin); performing cosmetic procedures on the skin (using botox injections to treat wrinkles and laser therapy to remove age spots, treat varicose veins, and reduce skin discolorations); performing minor outpatient surgeries to remove legions, cysts, warts, moles, birthmarks, cancerous cells, etc. from the skin; educating patients on the treatment and prevention of skin conditions (using correct sunscreen, facial cleansers, shampoos, exercise, hygiene, diet, etc.); and conducting research and teaching at universities.

High school students interested in becoming a Dermatologist benefit from taking Health, Nursing, Nutrition, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Biology/Anatomy, Physics, Chemistry, and Physical Science.  Students entering Pre-Medical Bachelor's of Science programs with no previous medical training should expect a period of 4 years to complete said program.  Upon completion of undergraduate studies, candidates must earn a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited medical school, complete an accredited 4-year Dermatology residency, and pass written and practical exams.   In the final 2 years of medical school, students work with patients under the supervision of experienced Dermatologists (clinicals) in hospitals.  To qualify for licensure, graduates must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and, subsequently, pass the American Board of Dermatology (ABD) Certification Examination in order to practice as a licensed, credentialed Dermatologist.  Licensure is required in all states by each state.  Dermatologists must take a re-certification examination every ten years.

Dermatologists generally work at hospitals, clinics, outpatient facilities, private practices, and universities, often working independently and occasionally being assisted by Nurses.  Sub-specialties of Dermatology include:  Pediatric Dermatology, Cutaneous (skin) Surgery, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma, and Dermatopathology (microscopic study to determine the exact pathogens that cause skin disorders).

​Due to the increased use of plastic surgery and the popularity of cosmetic surgery among people of all ages, the employment of Dermatologists is expected to grow 24 percent over the next decade, a very promising outlook.  Job prospects should be particularly good for those willing to practice in low-income, rural, and other under-served areas, due to the difficulty they have with attracting Physicians.

Job Description

Median Salary & Range

​Median Salary:  $288,630

Salary Range:  ~$214,580 - $374,430+

College Majors & Attainment Routes

Colleges That Provide Above Majors

Available Scholarships

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);

The normal routes to becoming a Dermatologist have been to attain a Bachelor's of Science degree in Pre-Medical, Microbiology, ​Biology or Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Physiology or Physiology Sciences, Anatomy, ​Chemistry (Pre-Medical or Pre-Professional concentration), Physics (Pre-Medical concentration), Biomedical Sciences, Pre-Professional Education, or Engineering Physics.

Dermatologists must complete 4 years of undergraduate studies, 4 years of medical school, and 4 years of Dermatology residency.  Applicants to medical school must have at least a Bachelor's degree and must submit transcripts, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, letters of recommendation, and proof of active participation in extra-curricular activities.  While a specific major is not required, all students must complete undergraduate work in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.  Students often volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain experience in the healthcare setting and to build mentor/mentee relationships with established Dermatologists.

Colleges and universities that have Dermatology/Medical Schools and related majors are:  Howard University (Washington, DC); Meharry Medical College (Nashville, Tennessee); Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science (Los Angeles, California); Delaware State University (Dover, Delaware); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Norfolk State University (Norfolk, Virginia); Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina); Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina); North Carolina Central University (Durham, North Carolina); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Virginia State University (Petersburg, Virginia); Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, North Carolina); Winston Salem State University (Winston Salem, North Carolina); Albany State University (Albany, Georgia); Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia); South Carolina State University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Allen University (Columbia, South Carolina); Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Georgia); Paine College (Augusta, Georgia); Livingstone College (Salisbury, North Carolina); ​Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, Texas); Voorhees College (Denmark, South Carolina); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); and Oakwood University (Huntsville, Alabama).