AACS certified Cosmetic Surgery Fellowships

AACS Certified Cosmetic Surgery Fellowships

For the best training in cosmetic surgery

Do you want to become a top cosmetic surgeon? Then train with the experts.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery certifies post-residency Fellowship Programs across the country in both general cosmetic surgery and facial cosmetic surgery, each offering in-depth, hands-on training from leading surgeons.

It’s your choice – You can apply to the programs that meet YOUR needs, considering factors like location, director, start date, stipend and time commitment.

Unmatched level of training – You will perform more than 300 cosmetic surgery procedures a year. No other fellowship program offers this caliber of training and instruction in cosmetic surgery, with rare access to patients and expertise.

Dedicated mentorship – Get personal instruction from well-known, leading cosmetic surgeons who possess a wealth of experience and a desire to teach.

Path to board certification – After completing your fellowship, you may be eligible to take the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery or American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery board examinations.

Fellowship Interest Form

Interested, but not ready to apply just yet? Sign up for the Fellowship mailing list, and we'll keep you up to date on all important deadlines and open programs.

Apply now to a cosmetic surgery fellowship

Follow the steps below to apply for a fellowship:

Am I Eligible for an AACS Fellowship?

Potential fellows need to fulfill the following criteria for their application to be considered. Please read the following carefully to see if you qualify before continuing with your application.

General Fellowship Requirements

A General Cosmetic Surgery fellow must qualify under one of the following specialties:

GENERAL SURGERY; OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY; OTOLARYNGOLOGY; THORACIC SURGERY; PLASTIC SURGERY; UROLOGY; ORTHROPEDIC SURGERY:

Board certification in General Surgery; Obstetrics/Gynecology; Otolaryngology; Thoracic Surgery; Plastic Surgery; Urology; Orthropedic Surgery is required. Board certification must be granted by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS); a member board of the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOA‐ BOS); or a certifying board that requires the completion of a residency program accredited by the ACGME, AOA‐BOS.

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY:

Board certified, or successfully completed an accredited integrated OMS‐MD program required for board certification, in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) with a medical degree (MD). To qualify, board certification must be granted by a certifying board recognized by the American Dental Association, and requiring residency training that complies with both the ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in General Surgery, and the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Specialty Education Programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

OPHTHALMOLOGY:

Board certified, or successfully completed an accredited residency program required for board certification, in Ophthalmology. To qualify, board certification in ophthalmology must be granted by a member board of the ABMS, a member board of the AOA‐BOS, or a certifying board that otherwise requires the completion of a residency program accredited by the ACGME, AOA‐BOS and successful completion of an Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program certified by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) or an ASOPRS member in good standing or successful completion of the first year (PGY‐1) of a general surgery residency program accredited by ACGME or the AOA‐BOS.

Other requirements can be found on the Program Requirements for Clinical Fellowship Training in General Cosmetic Surgery.

Facial Fellowship Requirements

A Facial Cosmetic Surgery must qualify under one of the following specialties:

SURGICAL SPECIALTIES

Successfully completed an accredited residency program required for board certification, in Dermatology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery, Otolaryngology, or Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. To qualify, board certification must be granted by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), member board of the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOA- BOS), or a certifying board that otherwise requires the completion of a residency program accredited by the ACGME, AOA-BOS.

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Successfully completed an accredited single OMS certificate (DDS/DMD) or integrated dual degree OMS/MD program required for board certification, in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) MD degree with current and valid state medical and/dental licenses. To qualify, said board certification must be granted by a certifying board recognized by the American Dental Association, ie, the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery or ABOMS requiring residency training that complies with both the ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in General Surgery, and the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Specialty Education Programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

DERMATOLOGY

Successfully completed an accredited residency program required for board certification, in dermatology. To qualify, board certification in dermatology must be granted by a member board of the ABMS, a member board of the AOA-BOS, or a certifying board that otherwise requires the completion of a residency program accredited by the ACGME, AOA-BOS.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Successfully completed an accredited residency program required for board certification in ophthalmology. To qualify, board certification in ophthalmology must be granted by a member board of the ABMS, a member board of the AOA-BOS, or a certifying board that otherwise requires the completion of a residency program accredited by the ACGME, AOA-BOS.

Other requirements can be found on the Program Requirements for Clinical Fellowship Training in Facial Cosmetic Surgery.

Find a Program that Fits

Below is a current list of Fellowship Program Directors by region. Click on the director's name to view a description of their program.

Apply for Fellowship

July 2020 fellowship candidates: When you complete your fellowship application, the application will be sent to Program Directors with open programs. A list of open programs can be found here.

July 2021 applicants: AACS certified Fellowship Programs have agreed to participate in a Match application system, below are the key dates.

AACS certified Fellowship Match

Key Dates:

Ongoing: Prepare Your Fellowship Application

For July Fellowship applicants; January start date applicants will be handled on a rolling basis
Research the Fellowship Programs
Preview the application and gather necessary documents
Request Letters of Recommendation
Review prerequisites for eligibility outlined in the Guidelines

February 1- 15 of the year prior to starting the Fellowship: Apply to Fellowship Programs

Identify Programs of interest to receive your application
Upload Letters of Recommendation
Strongly suggest having your application submitted by February 15, to be released by March 15

March 15 - June 1: Applying Continues and Interviews Start

Program Directors receive the applications that identified their Program in an application
Candidates are invited to interview; interviews must be scheduled before June 1
Applications received during this time will be forwarded to the programs identified in their application

June 1: Rank Order Lists Due

The programs and candidates submit their "ranklist" of the programs/candidates in the order that they would be willing to match to margaret.bengtson@mci-group.com.

July 1 – Match Announced and Post-Match Scramble Begins

If matched, your fellowship location will be made available via an email and Program Director will contact you with a contract
If you are unmatched, you will receive a list of open programs to contact

Questions, please contact Margaret Bengtson at margaret.bengtson@mci-group.com.

Apply Now

Have questions?

Read our Frequently Asked Questions to get answers to your questions, like:

How do I choose which fellowship program is right for me?
Is there tuition reimbursement or a stipend?
What is the process of approval?

Apply to be a Fellowship Director

Interested in establishing an AACS certified Fellowship Program? Please read the Guidelines for requirements and complete an application.