Becoming a Surgeon: Skills, Specialties, and Diseases
Have you always been fascinated by how surgeons save lives? Is it your dream to dive into the world of surgery? This is a course for people who love the challenge of diagnosing a disease and treating it through surgery. Study diseases of the abdomen and create your own model of the major organs and vascular structures. Learn about emerging technologies, such as robotics and digital scanning. Discover the jobs of an OR team and hear from specialists like radiologists, and trauma surgeons. If you have a passion for surgical medicine, this course is for you!
Program Dates
Choose the course length that works for you: 1-week intensives, 2-week sessions, and 4-week sessions
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Fees
$1,795
Start Your Surgical Journey Right Here
Learn What It Takes To Become a Surgeon.
Get introduced to becoming a surgeon. Study the basic skills, various surgical fields, and watch a tour of an operating room. Hear from anesthesiologists and trauma surgeons.
Dive into Diverticulitis: Anatomy of the Left Lower Quadrant.
Study a common inflammation of the digestive tract called diverticulitis. Understand the symptoms, diagnostic tests, and surgeries available. Hear from experts: urologists, radiologists, and colorectal surgeons.
Get an “A” in Appendicitis: Review the Right Lower Quadrant.
Learn through a real-life appendicitis case study. Determine whether surgical intervention is required. Review the surgical techniques used to treat a laparoscopic appendectomy.
Meet the Gallbladder: An Overview of the Right Upper Quadrant.
Delve into conditions centering on the gallbladder. Learn to recognize the symptoms and read exam findings. Witness a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Review the surgical options to treat cholecystitis.
An Inside Look at Gastric Cancer and the Left Upper Quadrant.
Review the case of a patient with gastric cancer. See a dissection and hear from cancer specialists who treat this disease. Understand the health and environmental effects.
Explore College Majors and Future Careers in Surgery.
Topics in this course offer a solid background related to a future in medicine with a focus on surgery.
How You Will Benefit
- Learn the education and training required to become a surgeon.
- Know the makeup of the operating room team.
- Be able to create a model of the solid organs and major vascular muscles of the abdomen.
- Understand the fundamentals to determine if surgery is a field that appeals to you.
- Explore future college majors and careers associated with surgery.
- Gain access to mentors who will answer your questions and help brainstorm assignments.
- Complete a Final Capstone Project to demonstrate what you’ve learned.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University.
Three Learning Advantages Designed for You
Final Capstone Project
All online courses culminate in a Final Capstone Project that allows you to:
- Complete a model of the abdominal anatomy.
- Create a one- to two-minute video of your model, demonstrating the major anatomic structures and their relation to each other.
- Write a two-part mock patient quiz using one of the four diseases covered in this course.
- Create a video of the major steps of an open operation for a patient with an abdominal condition.
Mentoring
You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who can support you and answer questions as you deepen your learning experience. You can expect:
- Encouragement and direction on all assignments.
- Inspiration, motivation and confidence to help you succeed.
- Brainstorming and ideation help as you prepare for your Final Capstone Project.
Flexible Learning
- 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
- Flexible format: you’ll learn through video lectures. Tune in anytime that works for you.
- 20 to 30 hours of total instruction and course work, including engaging multimedia, simulations, and curated assignments for which you will receive guidance and support from mentors.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
Hear From Georgetown University
What Our Students Are Saying
Lilya, surgery student from N.J."This course is fascinating as it not only tells you how a surgeon operates, but also shows you. Even though it is virtual, you are given the opportunity to work hands on with tying surgical knots and making diagrams and models of the body. It was a great experience that I would highly recommend!"
Dheeksha, surgery student from Mo."This course allows you to learn about all aspects of surgery, from the day in the life of a surgeon, to patient care and operations. It is a great way for people with no prior experience with surgery to learn more about it and the variety of different surgeons there are."
Course Designed by Georgetown University Faculty
Dr. Rebecca Evangelista, MD, FACS
Professor of Surgery and General Surgeon at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH)
Dr. Evangelista was the Director for Undergraduate Surgical Education for over 10 years and now focuses on educational leadership in the professional development of faculty and residents. She has been a general surgeon at MGUH since January 2006. Dr. Evangelista completed medical school at Upstate Medical University, a general surgery residency at George Washington University Hospital, and a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery at the University of Virginia.
Meet Your Mentor
Madison
Received a B.S. in Biology of Global Health and a minor in Psychology from Georgetown University.
Ursula
Undergraduate student at Georgetown University majoring in Biology of Global Health.
Kayla
Received a B.S. in Biology of Global Health and a minor in Statistics from Georgetown University. Former Vice President of Georgetown University Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (GUMAPS).
Isaac
Received a B.S. in Biology of Global Health from Georgetown University. Works as a caregiver for the elderly and beginning clinical work in other areas of medicine.
How to Apply
It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Our application asks you to provide the following:
- Basic contact information for you and your parent or guardian.
- Why you wish to take this course, and a bit of your story, through writing, video, photos—any media you prefer.
Begin the guided process. It should take only a few minutes to answer the questions.
Begin the process
Want to Know More?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.
Answers to Your Questions HereScholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.
The University reserves the right to modify the course as may become necessary.