About the Fellowship Program
Why should I complete a Fellowship Program in cosmetic surgery?
AACS’s Certified Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Programs are the best way to advance your career in cosmetic surgery. They offer an unmatched educational experience as each Program Director accepts a limited number of fellows per year, guaranteeing you rare access to patients as well as education from leading names in cosmetic surgery. You’ll complete more than 300 hands-on training cases during the course of the program, as well as learn how to open and run your own cosmetic surgery practice.
What do I have do to complete to receive my certification of completion?
Each training fellow must submit the following before receiving a certificate of successful Fellowship Program completion from AACS:
1. Verification form from the Fellowship Director
2. Evaluations of the program by Fellow and Director
3. Surgical log of required cases
4. Submission of an article to American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery or another peer-reviewed journal
5. Have attended a majority of the Core Curriculum Review presentations
6. Complete the written ABCS or ABFCS exam
7. Plan to take the ABCS/ABFCS oral exam within one year of the fellowship program completion
Can I participate in a program for more than one year?
Most fellowship positions are for a one year period. If you wish to continue your program for another year, it may be considered and is a decision left up to the Program Director.
Is there tuition reimbursement or a stipend?
Each fellowship training program has its own policy regarding stipends. Please discuss the stipend and other benefits directly with the Program Director.
Application Process & Requirements
What are the eligibility requirements for fellows?
Before completing your application, please review the General Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Guidelines and the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Guidelines to ensure you are able to meet the requirements of the Fellowship Program.
Where do I send my application?
The Training Fellow centralized application is located here. Each Training Fellow must have a centralized application on file.
Is there an application fee?
No, there are no application fees.
How do I choose which fellowship program is right for me?
You can find a full listing of Fellowship Program Directors who teach either general or facial cosmetic surgery here. The AACS Certified Fellowship Programs are located across the U.S. The AACS recommends researching each Program Director and their practice to find the one that best suits you.
When I apply, can I name multiple Program Directors I’d like to train with?
Yes. The application allows you identify multiple Fellowship Programs of interest.
What is the deadline for applying?
Most fellowship positions are from July 1 – June 30 of the following year. For July 1 applicants, there is a match application process. Key dates can be found here. Positions that start January 1 are not part of a match and applications are handled on a rolling basis.
Do I have to be a member of AACS to apply for a Fellow program?
No. An AACS membership is not a requirement. However, Training Fellows are encouraged to apply for a free AACS membership at the Resident member level. AACS members receive discounts at AACS meetings, free access to the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and additional membership benefits
Support & Contacts
Who is my supervisor, AACS or the Program Director?
AACS certifies individual fellowship programs that meet or exceed the Program Requirements for Clinical Fellowship Training in General Cosmetic Surgery or Program Requirements for Clinical Fellowship Training in Facial Cosmetic Surgery (collectively “Program Requirements”). Based on the Program Requirements, AACS determines whether a fellowship program qualifies for certification, and whether once certified (“Certified Program”) the program maintains its certification. AACS has no authority over, or other relationship with, the fellows who participate in Certified Programs. The Program Director is in charge of the Certified Program, and will determine to whom fellows will report. AACS should be notified if a Certified Program is not compliant with the Program Requirements. Training Fellows may notify AACS of non-compliance via the online form.
I need help completing my application. Who should I contact?
Please direct all questions to Kelly Van Zandt, CPHQ, Program Director
Mobile/WhatsApp: +817-845-1443 | kvanzandtobfsctd-fdb19@cosmeticsurgery.org
Looking to Apply?
Click the button below to apply or contact Kelly Van Zandt, CPHQ, Program Director with any questions here: kvanzandtobfsctd-4081c8@cosmeticsurgery.org
Apply Here