How Long Does It Take to Be an Immunologist?
Immunologists, who are often called allergists/immunologists, are physicians who work with patients who have medical problems related to disease immunity. Among the common health issues these specialists treat are allergies, sinus infections, pneumonia and occupational lung diseases. Immunologist requirements are quite involved and include a lengthy period of education and training. Once prospective immunologists secure their undergraduate degrees, they have approximately nine or 10 years of education and training ahead of them before formally entering their chosen profession.
Medical School Basics
Like other physicians, immunologists must attend and graduate medical school, receiving a generalized medical education that serves as the foundation for their chosen profession. Medical students receive a combination of classroom instruction and clinical experience. The classroom instruction centers on science and health topics, such as anatomy, pharmacology and medical ethics, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The clinical experience provides students with practical experience in the field. They are exposed to a range of medical specialties to gain a breadth of knowledge so they can pinpoint the areas that most interest them.
Understanding Allergy and Immunology Residency
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, after medical school, immunologists and other physicians serve a residency that lasts at least three years. Residencies are periods of training during which recent medical school graduates practice under the supervision of physicians. Immunologist and allergist residency typically takes place in a hospital setting. Immunologists do not serve a residency specific to immunology but work and study as residents in pediatrics, internal medicine or a combination of the two.
Immunologists and the Fellowship Process
Immunologists must complete a two-year fellowship in allergy/immunology. The fellowship focuses on education and training in a clinical setting for treating both children and adults. Some budding immunologists who wish to pursue research in the field complete a third year in a fellowship program that is devoted to the research components of the field. Approximately 54 percent of allergy/immunology fellowships were served at hospital outpatient clinics in 2011, according to the American Medical Association.
Allergy and Immunology Board Certification
As part of the process of becoming board certified in their subspecialty, immunologists must first receive board certification in either pediatrics, internal medicine or both. They typically seek board certification after completing their residency. In addition to education and training requirements, they must pass an examination in the relevant field. Later, prospective immunologists must earn a subspecialty certification from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. Applicants pursue that certification, which requires education and training guidelines and an examination, following their fellowship in allergy/immunology.
Tom Gresham is a freelance writer and public relations specialist who has been writing professionally since 1999. His articles have appeared in "The Washington Post," "Virginia Magazine," "Vermont Magazine," "Adirondack Life" and the "Southern Arts Journal," among other publications. He graduated from the University of Virginia.