How to become a pediatrician

Being a pediatrician is a rewarding profession, but have you ever wondered what it takes to become one?

Jamie Kondis, MD, a Washington University pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, talks about how to become a medical practitioner who specializes in taking care of kiddos.

• The first step is a four-year bachelor’s degree, often in a science-related field of study.
• After earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need a four-year degree from a medical school.
• After medical school, many doctors will choose to specialize in a particular field, such as pediatrics. Most specializations require a three-year program known as a residency.

At this point, a general pediatrician has worked and studied for 11 years. Some pediatricians go on to specialize in specific fields of pediatric medicine. For example, you may take your child to a pediatric gastroenterologist for stomach issues or a pediatric pulmonologist for respiratory issues.


The St. Louis Children’s Hospital YouTube station is intended as a reference and information source only. If you suspect you have a health problem, you should seek immediate care with the appropriate health care professionals. The information on this website is not a substitute for professional care, and must not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. For help finding a doctor, St. Louis Children's Hospital Answer Line may be of assistance at 314.454.KIDS (5437). The opinions expressed in these videos are those of the individual writers, not necessarily St. Louis Children's Hospital or Washington University School of Medicine. BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine assume no liability for the information contained in this website or for its use.