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Neurologist
The brain is the "control center" of the nervous system, which controls ALL voluntary (walking, running, etc.) and involuntary (breathing, heartbeat, etc.) functions of the body. Wouldn't it be cool to be labeled as an expert in the branch of medical science that focuses on the brain and nervous system? It's hard not to be considered a "brainiac" when you earn a living by analyzing the brain. If you are intrigued by the idea of studying the brain, excel in Science, Math, and Health, and wish to discover cures for diseases that affect the brain and nervous system, then you just might be the next "Rock Star" Neurologist.
Neurologists are Physicians (medical doctors) who investigate, examine, diagnose, and treat disorders, injuries, and diseases of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and their supporting blood vessels and skeletal structures). Working in hospitals, clinics, and/or universities, they are the principal care providers for patients with neurological disorders that require frequent care, treating head and spinal cord injuries to Alzheimer's disease. They are able to determine treatment by examining a patient's brain and neck nerves, muscle strength, movement, balance, reflexes, and speech, and despite not perfoming surgery themselves, Neurologists also recommend surgical treatment.
The duties of a Neurologist include but are not limited to: educating patients on neurological disorders and associated risk factors; administering neurological examinations (vision, strength, coordination, reflexes, and sensation); ordering and interpreting results of neuroimaging studies (MRIs, CAT scans, SPECTs, PET scans, etc.), spinal taps, and laboratory results (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, etc.); performing specialized treatments (for sleep disorders, neuroimmunology, neuro-oncology, behavioral neurology, etc.); maintaining and reviewing records (symptoms, patient and family medical histories, etc.); developing treatment plans based on diagnoses and evaluation factors (age, general health, procedural risks and costs, etc.); prescribing medication and treatments; monitoring patients for behavioral and cognitive side effects; referring patients to other specialists as needed; collaborating with other specialists to treat neurological problems; determining brain death using accepted tests and procedures; conducting neuroscience research, participating in clinical studies, writing articles for medical journals, and giving presentations at professional conventions; and teaching at universities.
High school students interested in ultimately becoming a Neurologist benefit from taking Nursing, Nutrition, Health, 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 completing undergraduate studies, Neurologists must graduate from an accredited medical school, complete a 4-year Neurology residency, and pass written and practical exams. In the final 2 years of medical school, students work with patients under the supervision of experienced Neurologists (clinicals) in hospitals. To qualify for licensure, all Neurologists must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and, subsequently, pass the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Certification Examination. All states require Neurologists to be licensed.
Sub-specialties of Neurology include: Pediatric Neurology, Vascular Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Epilepsy, Pain Management, and Interventional Neurology. Neurologists are experts at diagnosing and treating the following disorders and injuries: concussion, stroke, headaches, epilepsy, neuromuscular diseases, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, seizures, pain, tremor, brain and spinal cord injuries, peripheral nervous disorders, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, brain tumors, and sleep disorders.
Because the baby-boomer generation has reached retirement age, the rate of occurrence of neurological problems (dementia, stroke, etc.) is expected to rise considerably. And with "baby-boomer" Neurologists set to retire, employment is expected to grow by 24 percent over the next decade. Job prospects should be particularly good for those willing to practice in rural, low-income, and other under-served areas, due to their difficulties in attracting Physicians.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
Median Salary: $216,410
Salary Range: ~$168,700 - $290,860+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
The normal routes to becoming a Neurologist 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, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Sciences, Pre-Professional Education, or Engineering Physics.
Neurologists must complete 4 years of undergraduate studies, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 6 years of Neurology residency (rotations in related specialties and sub-specialties like Behavioral Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, and Child Neurology). Applicants to medical school must have at least a Bachelor's degree and must submit transcripts, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, and letters of recommendation. 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 a healthcare setting and to build mentor/mentee relationships with established Neurologists.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have Neuroscience/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); Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia); Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, North Carolina); Winston Salem State University (Winston Salem, North Carolina); Albany State University (Albany, 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); Oakwood University (Huntsville, Alabama); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, Texas); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); and Voorhees College (Denmark, South Carolina).
Available Scholarships
