What are the requirements to become an Astronomer?

Question

I mean, are there any special classes that I would have to take.

Answer 1

Take and excell in every math course you can possibly arrange to attend.

In order to prepare yourself for retention of volumes of information about the millions of stars and galaxies out
there I would suggest some extensive geography courses.
Those will provide you with brain exercises in shape recognition and name retention.

Foreign languages are a plus also because a lot of the really super observatories are now located outside of the USA. Spanish, French, and possibly German have many similarities and could compliment one another in your educational background.

Last but not least is Physics and Chemistry (the toughies)... Much of what is being discovered in Astronomy today has to do with the way light reacts when passing through different gases, and the way one mass orbiting another affects the first one... So:

Chemistry to learn about materials and the gases...
Physics to learn about the relationships of objects to one another, forces of magnetism, weights and measures, etc.

Kindest regards and wishes for success,
Zah

Answer 2

Most astronomers have PhDs in Physics or Astronomy. You'd need to do a major in physics or astronomy in college.