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Ashley
Student
Tyler, Texas
1
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What do I need in order to become a psychiatrist??
I am currently a sophomore at Early College Highschool in Tyler Tx. I am majoring in general studies and want to become a psychiatrist once I graduate. But, I have no idea what I need to do in order to become what I want. Please help.
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2 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Ashley,
Becoming a Psychiatrist: Steps and Requirements
To become a psychiatrist, you will need to complete several years of education and training. Here are the steps you need to take in order to pursue a career as a psychiatrist:
1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree: The first step towards becoming a psychiatrist is to earn a bachelor’s degree. While there is no specific major required for admission to medical school, most aspiring psychiatrists choose to major in psychology, biology, or pre-medicine. It’s important to maintain a high GPA and gain relevant experience through internships or research opportunities during your undergraduate studies.
2. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): After completing your bachelor’s degree, you will need to take the MCAT, which is a standardized test that assesses your knowledge of scientific concepts and problem-solving skills. Your MCAT score will be an important factor in the medical school admissions process.
3. Attend Medical School: Upon successful completion of the MCAT, you will need to attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Medical school typically takes four years to complete and includes classroom instruction as well as clinical rotations in various medical specialties.
4. Complete Residency Training: Following medical school, aspiring psychiatrists must complete a residency program in psychiatry, which typically lasts four years. During this time, you will receive specialized training in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders under the supervision of experienced psychiatrists.
5. Obtain Licensure: After completing residency training, you will need to obtain a medical license in the state where you plan to practice. Licensure requirements vary by state but generally include passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).
6. Consider Subspecialty Training: Some psychiatrists choose to pursue additional fellowship training in subspecialties such as child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, or forensic psychiatry.
7. Maintain Certification and Continuing Education: Psychiatrists are required to maintain board certification through ongoing education and periodic examinations throughout their careers.
In summary, becoming a psychiatrist requires completing a bachelor’s degree, attending medical school, completing residency training in psychiatry, obtaining licensure, and potentially pursuing subspecialty training.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. American Psychiatric Association (APA): The APA is a leading professional organization for psychiatrists that provides information on educational requirements and career pathways for aspiring psychiatrists.
2. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC offers resources and guidance on the medical school admissions process, including information on the MCAT and applying to medical schools.
3. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME): The ACGME sets standards for residency training programs in psychiatry and provides information on licensure requirements for practicing physicians.
These sources were consulted to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.
GOD BLESS,
James.
Becoming a Psychiatrist: Steps and Requirements
To become a psychiatrist, you will need to complete several years of education and training. Here are the steps you need to take in order to pursue a career as a psychiatrist:
1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree: The first step towards becoming a psychiatrist is to earn a bachelor’s degree. While there is no specific major required for admission to medical school, most aspiring psychiatrists choose to major in psychology, biology, or pre-medicine. It’s important to maintain a high GPA and gain relevant experience through internships or research opportunities during your undergraduate studies.
2. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): After completing your bachelor’s degree, you will need to take the MCAT, which is a standardized test that assesses your knowledge of scientific concepts and problem-solving skills. Your MCAT score will be an important factor in the medical school admissions process.
3. Attend Medical School: Upon successful completion of the MCAT, you will need to attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Medical school typically takes four years to complete and includes classroom instruction as well as clinical rotations in various medical specialties.
4. Complete Residency Training: Following medical school, aspiring psychiatrists must complete a residency program in psychiatry, which typically lasts four years. During this time, you will receive specialized training in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders under the supervision of experienced psychiatrists.
5. Obtain Licensure: After completing residency training, you will need to obtain a medical license in the state where you plan to practice. Licensure requirements vary by state but generally include passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).
6. Consider Subspecialty Training: Some psychiatrists choose to pursue additional fellowship training in subspecialties such as child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, or forensic psychiatry.
7. Maintain Certification and Continuing Education: Psychiatrists are required to maintain board certification through ongoing education and periodic examinations throughout their careers.
In summary, becoming a psychiatrist requires completing a bachelor’s degree, attending medical school, completing residency training in psychiatry, obtaining licensure, and potentially pursuing subspecialty training.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. American Psychiatric Association (APA): The APA is a leading professional organization for psychiatrists that provides information on educational requirements and career pathways for aspiring psychiatrists.
2. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC offers resources and guidance on the medical school admissions process, including information on the MCAT and applying to medical schools.
3. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME): The ACGME sets standards for residency training programs in psychiatry and provides information on licensure requirements for practicing physicians.
These sources were consulted to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.
GOD BLESS,
James.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1180
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ashley !
In order to become a Psychiatrist, you will have to go to medical school and become a Medical Doctor or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. In other words, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor.
Right now, you can start taking psychology and any human science classes in high school to prepare you for college. You can than go for a Bachelors degree in a human science, but I would recommend majoring in Psychology. While in college get as much experience as you can working on projects, with groups or events that are connected to human behavior. This will help you sharpen your analytical and listening skills which you will need as a psychiatrist.
Next step is to prepare for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). Your professors in undergrad college or an academic counselor can keep you aware of when you should take the test. It is the entrance exam for medical school. There is a fee for taking the exam. You can buy or take from a library a study guide for the exam. See if your college book store sells them. Next step is to apply and enroll in medical school which is four years. The first two years will be classroom learning and the second two years will be rotations which is clinical experience.
Next is a four year residency in psychiatry for which you will treat patients with severe mental illness in a clinical setting. Check with your state as to when to apply for your medical license. Your school will definitely advise you about that. You also need to be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. This certification is renewed by you every ten years. From undergraduate school till your last day in your residency, it takes 12 years.
I would advise that you do some reading on line about your state's requirements and more about the path to a career in Psychiatry. Read as much as you can about psychology and psychiatry to help you prepare for your plans ahead. You can get a basic idea of what medical schools require for admissions by going to some medical school websites. Than, as you get an idea of which medical school you will be going to, go back to the website and get updated on the requirements of the school you will attend. You have a good deal of time to explore this. Remember that even though it is a total of twelve years, you will always be learning new things at trainings, conferences, seminars and many events for psychiatric specialists.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
In order to become a Psychiatrist, you will have to go to medical school and become a Medical Doctor or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. In other words, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor.
Right now, you can start taking psychology and any human science classes in high school to prepare you for college. You can than go for a Bachelors degree in a human science, but I would recommend majoring in Psychology. While in college get as much experience as you can working on projects, with groups or events that are connected to human behavior. This will help you sharpen your analytical and listening skills which you will need as a psychiatrist.
Next step is to prepare for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). Your professors in undergrad college or an academic counselor can keep you aware of when you should take the test. It is the entrance exam for medical school. There is a fee for taking the exam. You can buy or take from a library a study guide for the exam. See if your college book store sells them. Next step is to apply and enroll in medical school which is four years. The first two years will be classroom learning and the second two years will be rotations which is clinical experience.
Next is a four year residency in psychiatry for which you will treat patients with severe mental illness in a clinical setting. Check with your state as to when to apply for your medical license. Your school will definitely advise you about that. You also need to be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. This certification is renewed by you every ten years. From undergraduate school till your last day in your residency, it takes 12 years.
I would advise that you do some reading on line about your state's requirements and more about the path to a career in Psychiatry. Read as much as you can about psychology and psychiatry to help you prepare for your plans ahead. You can get a basic idea of what medical schools require for admissions by going to some medical school websites. Than, as you get an idea of which medical school you will be going to, go back to the website and get updated on the requirements of the school you will attend. You have a good deal of time to explore this. Remember that even though it is a total of twelve years, you will always be learning new things at trainings, conferences, seminars and many events for psychiatric specialists.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !