We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Get an Infectious Disease Fellowship?

By Jessica F. Black
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,509
Share

There are several steps to take before applying for an infectious disease fellowship, and students should research the requirements of several programs before organizing an educational plan. Most fellowship programs require an advanced degree, experience, and an impeccable academic record. This is a very specified area in the medical profession, and particular coursework will be required to obtain a medical degree with an infectious disease focus. Due to the competitiveness of medical school programs, students should begin working on their math and science skills early in the education process. There are additional preparations that can be made before medical school, including volunteering in hospitals, working in medical centers, and studying a wide variety of medical procedures.

Students should seek an accredited four year college to obtain their bachelor's degree, but they may be able to locate a school that has a seven year medical program, which would enable the student to complete all necessary coursework in a seven year stretch. Four year programs are most common and may offer pre-medical studies as a part of the degree program. Aside from a heavy focus in general sciences, students should enroll in microbiology, physiology, anatomy, and other advanced sciences pertaining to the human body. These courses should begin to prepare the student for the medical school entrance process, and good grades in medical based coursework will enhance his or her chance of receiving an infectious disease fellowship.

After the completion of general medicine coursework in medical school, the next step is to enroll in a number of infectious disease courses, including immunology, vaccinology, biology of infection and microbiology, and biotechnology. Excellence in coursework and fieldwork will be essential for acceptance of an infectious disease fellowship. Residencies generally follow the successful completion of medical school, and students usually must practice internal medicine before progressing to their intended area of expertise. A residency program may take three or four years and will focus on the specialized medical area after displaying competency in general medicine. Infectious disease fellowship program consultants will review all work as a resident and may require a letter of recommendation from this department.

Most areas have board certification exams that are taken to practice medicine in the given location, and scores from these exams are also needed to obtain a infectious disease fellowship. A completed application, letters of recommendation, personal statements, test scores, and transcripts are required to be considered for an infectious disease program, which is usually followed by an invitation to interview with the fellowship board. There are a select number of fellowship slots, and not all applying students will be admitted. Due to the limited fellowship offers, students must display excellent communication, writing, and critical thinking skills in addition to having a superior academic history. Most of these fellowship programs are three years long and focus on clinical training and research.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-get-an-infectious-disease-fellowship.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.