How to Get a Doctorate in Psychiatry
Receiving your doctorate degree in psychiatry takes many years and lots of hard work. Students should develop strong science knowledge in high school and then study psychology during their undergraduate study. Psychiatrists also must attend medical school because, unlike psychologists, psychiatrists can prescribe medication. Medical schools are very competitive so it essential for the potential psychiatrist to achieve exceptional grades while in college. Many board-certified psychiatrists choose to work in hospitals, open their own private practice or conduct research.
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Instructions
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Prepare in high school by taking lots of science courses. Depending on what courses your school offers, consider classes such as biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology.
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Attend a four-year college or university and receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in psychology. You also should take a heavy course load in the sciences to prepare for graduate-level study. During undergraduate study, many psychiatrists double-major in psychology and a science, such as biology or chemistry.
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Take the Medical Admission Test (MCAT) for medical school admission. Some students take the MCAT several times until they receive a high enough score for their desired university.
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Research and apply to medical schools you want to attend. A complete list of medical schools can be found at the Association of American Medical Colleges.
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Attend four years of medical school. During this time, you should also decide on what area of psychiatry you want to study during your residency. Potential areas of study include adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry and personality disorders.
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Pass the medical boards and receive your M.D. at the end of medical school.
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Complete four years of residency training in the mental health field. This is usually done at a hospital's psychiatric department. Residency training involves practicing medicine under the supervision of a licensed doctor.
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Submit a completed application to the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology to receive certification.
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Pass any additional speciality certification examinations that may be required for your specialized area of study. Requirements vary by state and can be found by contacting the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
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