5 answers
Lux
Student
Deerfield, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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What does it take to become a psychiatrist?
Like for example, how many years of school is needed, what qualifications I'd need, ect.
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5 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
It takes approximately 12 years to become a psychiatrist Lux. Some people take longer to graduate college than others. Others take time off after graduation to study for the MCAT. Occasionally, a person is able to complete college more quickly than is typical. Assuming you don't take any breaks and graduates on a typical timeline, the time from high school graduation to your psychiatric board certification would be 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 4 years of residency.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
You don’t need a specific degree to get into medical school. However, most medical schools expect students to have taken and passed one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, and physics. A pre-med major can help you meet these basic requirements. A high GPA can increase the odds of acceptance into medical school. (The average GPA of accepted applicants is 3.71.)
TAKE THE MCAT
This is the medical school entrance exam. The average score for accepted applicants is 511 (out of 528 points total).
GRADUATE MEDICAL SCHOOL
Medical school usually takes four years. High medical school grades can increase a student’s odds of getting a good residency.
COMPLETE PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENCY
Complete a psychiatric residency. Psychiatry residencies typically take four years. During residency, you’ll learn about and treat a wide range of mental health conditions, usually in a hospital setting.
Psychiatrists work in a wide range of employment settings. These include, but are not limited to, private practices, clinics, hospitals, university medical centers, community agencies, prisons and nursing homes among others.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
You don’t need a specific degree to get into medical school. However, most medical schools expect students to have taken and passed one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, and physics. A pre-med major can help you meet these basic requirements. A high GPA can increase the odds of acceptance into medical school. (The average GPA of accepted applicants is 3.71.)
TAKE THE MCAT
This is the medical school entrance exam. The average score for accepted applicants is 511 (out of 528 points total).
GRADUATE MEDICAL SCHOOL
Medical school usually takes four years. High medical school grades can increase a student’s odds of getting a good residency.
COMPLETE PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENCY
Complete a psychiatric residency. Psychiatry residencies typically take four years. During residency, you’ll learn about and treat a wide range of mental health conditions, usually in a hospital setting.
Psychiatrists work in a wide range of employment settings. These include, but are not limited to, private practices, clinics, hospitals, university medical centers, community agencies, prisons and nursing homes among others.
Thank you!!
Lux
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Lux !
Thanks for asking about how to become a Psychiatrist !
You will get an undergraduate degree taking a least one year each of Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Calculus and Physics. Most students get accepted into Medical School with a GPA of 3.71 or higher. You will take the MCAT test to enter Medical School. Than you will go to Medical School for four years. You will have classroom instructions, lab work and than do Rotations - work in doctors offices, clinics, hospitals under the supervision of a medical doctor. Request your specialty, in your case, psychiatry, as soon as you are sure and ask your professors when you can declare the specialty. Get an idea of the specialty availability when you enter med school. You can ask an advisor or a professor.
You will have taken and passed the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam in two steps and once you pass the Board Exam, you're a doctor. You will than do your residency after your rotations.
I hope that this has helped and I have left a link to a Career Village article for you below about becoming a Psychiatrist. Best wishes to you !
CAREER VILLAGE ARTICLE ABOUT BECOMING A PSYCHIATRIST https://www.careervillage.org/articles/how-to-become-series/how-to-become-a-psychiatrist-the-complete-career-guide/
Thanks for asking about how to become a Psychiatrist !
You will get an undergraduate degree taking a least one year each of Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Calculus and Physics. Most students get accepted into Medical School with a GPA of 3.71 or higher. You will take the MCAT test to enter Medical School. Than you will go to Medical School for four years. You will have classroom instructions, lab work and than do Rotations - work in doctors offices, clinics, hospitals under the supervision of a medical doctor. Request your specialty, in your case, psychiatry, as soon as you are sure and ask your professors when you can declare the specialty. Get an idea of the specialty availability when you enter med school. You can ask an advisor or a professor.
You will have taken and passed the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam in two steps and once you pass the Board Exam, you're a doctor. You will than do your residency after your rotations.
I hope that this has helped and I have left a link to a Career Village article for you below about becoming a Psychiatrist. Best wishes to you !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Saliha Attal
Medical assistant
3
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Saliha’s Answer
you need to go to school for at lease 10 years to become psychiatrist .
Thank you!
Lux
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
235
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
To become a psychiatrist, you need to earn a bachelor's degree, attend medical school for four years, pass the licensing exam, complete a four-year residency program in psychiatry, and consider becoming board certified. Being a psychiatrist requires a strong interest in mental health, empathy, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work well with patients. It's a rewarding career that involves diagnosing and treating mental health disorders to help individuals improve their well-being.
Thank you!!
Lux
Eric Nguyen
Ophthalmic Technician
1
Answer
California, California
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Hello Lux,
To become a psychiatrist, you would need to attend medical school to become a physician. This involves an undergraduate Bachelor's degree (while full filling the pre-requisite coursework) and four years of medical school. After medical school you would need to complete a four-year residency. A residency is basically a training period of your given specialty (in this case psychiatry) where you learn and work under experienced doctors. After completing residency, you are a full-blown psychiatrist who can either open your own practice, work at a hospital, or a different private practice. Hope this helps!
https://www.nu.edu/blog/how-to-become-a-psychiatrist/
To become a psychiatrist, you would need to attend medical school to become a physician. This involves an undergraduate Bachelor's degree (while full filling the pre-requisite coursework) and four years of medical school. After medical school you would need to complete a four-year residency. A residency is basically a training period of your given specialty (in this case psychiatry) where you learn and work under experienced doctors. After completing residency, you are a full-blown psychiatrist who can either open your own practice, work at a hospital, or a different private practice. Hope this helps!
https://www.nu.edu/blog/how-to-become-a-psychiatrist/
Thank you!!
Lux