Undergraduate Education and Medical School

• Becoming a neurologist requires the completion of a four-year bachelor's degree program and another four years of medical school. Aspiring neurologists do not need to pursue any predetermined degree at the undergraduate level, but a degree in biological science, chemistry or even psychology can be helpful for a career in neurology. Medical school consists of two years of basic medical science and introductory courses in medicine followed by two years of more advanced studies and clinical rotations. Upon completion, graduates can be licensed to practice medicine, but must still obtain additional training.
  
  

Residency

• An aspiring neurologist must complete a residency following medical school to obtain hands-on training in the field of neurology. Some neurology residencies require a brief residency in internal medicine or general surgical medicine prior to admitting residents to their programs. These prerequisite residencies or fellowships can take about one year each to complete. A residency in neurology can take another three to five years to complete. The residency is much like the final two years of medical school with the completion of clinical rotations. Residency requirements for neurologists can take another five to seven years beyond medical school.
  
  

Fellowship

• Following the completion of a residency in general neurology, a neurologist can obtain additional training in a sub-specialty through the completion of a fellowship program. For instance, students at Boston University Medical School can complete one- to two-year residencies in cerebrovascular disease and stroke, movement disorders, sleep medicine and Alzheimer's dementia.
  
  

Board Certification

• Once an aspiring neurologist has met all of the necessary education and residency requirements, she can seek board certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Board certification provides an indication that a neurologist has met all of the highest standards of training in her respective areas of specialization. Neurologists seeking board certification must pass both oral and written exams administered by the board. Board certification itself does not take any additional time aside from the time spent studying for the certification exams.