Overview
Allopathic medicine (MD) (www.aamc.org) and Osteopathic medicine (DO) (www.aacom.org) are both fully licensed medical degrees following similar educational paths, residency programs and specializations.
Education and Training
The majority of students who study medicine will enter a medical school usually after completing their Bachelor's degree.
In the first two years of medical school, you will study the basic sciences, which usually are lecture classes covering courses as gross anatomy, biochemistry and histology. Recently more schools are moving to Problem Based Learning (PBL) or earlier patient contact in the first two (2) initial years. During the third year students will experience clinical rotations in several medical and surgical areas. After completing this year, you will begin the process of choosing a residency program for which to apply. The fourth year allows the student to further explore medical electives or function as an intern, taking on greater responsibility while preparing for the residency choice. Upon completion of your medical degree you will have the initials of M.D. or D.O. after your name - but this is not the end of your training - you will now enter a residency program.
- Pre Medicine - College 4 yrs.
- Medical School - Pre Clinical/Clinical 4 yrs.
- Residency - Post Medical School 3-7 yrs.
- Individual Practice or Fellowship in Subspecialty
During your residency you will receive extensive and specialized training to prepare you for your professional medical career. The length of the residency can be as short as three (3) or as long as seven (7) or eight (8) years. Some doctors may even consider a fellowship in a sub-specialty for further training and expertise.
Programs in Illinois
Allopathic
- University of Chicago/Pritzker School of Medicine
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
- Loyola University Chicago/Stritch School of Medicine
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Rush Medical College of Rush University
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
- Directory of Programs Across the US
Osteopathic
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
- Directory of Programs Across the US
