How to Become a Pediatric Psychiatrist
People who work to better the lives of children will tell you that there are few thing in life that are more rewarding. The United States Department of Labor estimates that jobs in the field of pediatric psychiatry will increase through 2013 due to advancements in the detection and treatment of childhood mood disorders, emotional problems and mental illness. If you are interested in working in the filed of pediatric psychiatry, you have a long road of school and work experience ahead of you. Follow these basic guidelines to map out your future goals.
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Instructions
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Take high school courses that are math and science intensive. You need to create a solid base in biology and chemistry, as these types of courses will make up the majority of your medical study. High school is also a good time to volunteer with pediatric service organizations.
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Go to college. You will need to complete a pre-med, program, or a psychology or sociology degree with a science minor. If you are a pre-med major, you will likely move right on to medical school. Other disciplines generally achieve master's degree status because competition is so high for medical school acceptance.
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Get a high score on your MCAT exam. This is the test you have to take in order to apply to medical school. You can either take it your junior year in college or your first year in graduate school. Study hard for your MCAT because low scores can hurt your chances of acceptance.
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Complete medical school. Psychiatrists are required to attend medical school, just like a regular doctor. This is because psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental and mood disorders, and prescribe medications.
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Complete your residency. Upon completion of medical school, all students are required to do a 2- to 5-year residency. In the case of psychiatrists, you will most likely do a 4-year psychiatry residency program in a pediatric or other mental health facility.
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Complete an advanced study program specializing in pediatrics. This is where you really get into the specifics of your niche. You will deal solely with pediatric issues in your advanced study program, and will complete extensive research on child psychology and treating pediatric patients.
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