College

• Neurosurgeons must usually hold a bachelor's degree in a pre-med field of study, although some medical schools may admit candidates who have completed only three years of college level work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Coursework for candidates for medical school typically must include classroom instruction and laboratory work in such subjects as physics, biology, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry. Candidates should also take classes in mathematics, the humanities, the social sciences and English. Candidates may prepare for a career as a physician by volunteering or working at a local health care facility. Candidates for medical school must typically take and score high on the Medical College Admission Test.
  
  

Medical School

• Neurosurgeons must complete medical school. Medical school typically requires four years of study. The first two years of medical school is heavily weighted toward academic and laboratory studies in such fields as anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, ethics, psychology and medical law. The final two years of medical school involves hands-on training in health care environments such as hospitals and health clinics, with the students practicing under the direct supervision of an experienced physician. Students who successfully complete medical school are awarded the designation of MD - Medical Doctor, or DO - Doctor of Osteopathy.
  
  

Residency

• Neurosurgeons must first be surgeons. Candidates must complete a general surgery internship of at least one year's duration followed by five to seven years of residency in neurosurgery. Residents undergo rigorous training in basic operative techniques and may be involved in more than 250 neurology cases during their first year of residency, according to the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Subsequent years include training in pediatric neurology, adult neurology, skull base surgery, microneurosurgery and other facets of the career.
  
  

Considerations

• Neurosurgeons may become board certified after completing their residency and gaining several years of experience in the field. Brain surgeons are highly compensated for their skills. The median annual income for neurosurgeons was $469,815 as of May 2011, according to the Salary.com website. The top 10 percent of neurosurgeons in the United States earned more than $707,999 per year.