What Is Needed to Become a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental issues and treatment for a wide variety of mental disorders. A psychiatrist requires a more traditional medical education than many people realize. If you are planning on becoming a psychiatrist, then be ready for a variety of medical educational experiences, including extensive training in mental disorders.
Other People Are Reading
-
Undergraduate Study
-
In undergraduate classes, people planning on becoming psychiatrists should focus on preparing for medical school. Classes in biology, chemistry, and anatomy are all important. Medical schools are very competitive, and tend to accept only those with excellent school records. Therefore, all undergraduate studies are very important. Students also should focus on extracurricular activities and gaining general knowledge.
Medicine Degree
-
With a bachelor's degree in medical science or a related field, graduates can begin looking for a medical school. They need to take and achieve high scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), then find a school that works for their long-term plans. The first two years of medical school cover many medical basics, and future psychiatrists take these classes along with students preparing a variety of medical professionals.
-
Residency
-
After two years of study, students are ready to begin their residencies. At this time students decide to become psychiatrists and complete their residencies at a psychiatric hospital. A four-year residency is required for general psychiatry. Students study basic medical sciences (such as pathology, physiology and pharmacology), psychotherapy, medical research, and other relevant subjects.
Specialties
-
Psychiatrists can either practice general psychiatry, or they can opt to specialize in an area. Specialists must go through extra training and research, but they can also earn more in jobs where they do research in their specialty and offer their expertise. Specialties include adolescent, addiction, forensic and geriatric psychiatry.
License
-
When psychiatrists are finally ready to start practicing, they need to be licensed by the state medical board in the state where they plan to work. Once licensed, they must take a certification exam administered by a specialized national board, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
-
References
- Photo Credit medical equipment image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
