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How to become a psychiatrist

Everyone wants their career to be successful, so many people aspire to become psychiatrists. You could spend decades helping people who struggle with their mental health and emotional diagnoses. Before you reach out to patients in need, you will need to learn how to become a psychiatrist. Use this guide to plan for your academic future and figure out what you will need to start your career.

  1. Understanding the field of psychiatry
    Learning more about the profession is the first step to understanding how to pursue a career in psychiatry. Many people confuse psychiatrists with psychologists. Both treat people with mental disorders, but they have different forms of training and education.

Psychiatrists receive medical training and advanced training by following the steps below. They can prescribe treatment with medication, light therapy, or electroconvulsive therapy, depending on the client. Psychologists have been earning doctorates or psychological help for years and use talk therapy to help clients.

  1. Find the right university.
    Every psychiatrist should earn a bachelor’s degree in pre-medical training from the university of their choice. Plan campus tours to get to know the schools in person, and compare the top universities to weigh your options.

Their application processes and requirements will be different, so take your current GPA, test scores, and financial aid needs into consideration before evaluating your preferred schools. Apply to as many students as possible to increase your chances of getting into your favorite universities.

  1. Prepare for course subjects.
    Preparatory courses prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities in academia. You will study core subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. You will also study math, statistics, sociology, and psychology.

It takes more than a few years of lecturing in psychology to become a psychiatrist. Prepare to meet these prerequisites before taking classes that match your professional interests. If you don’t like most of these subjects, you may need to reconsider your education or career.

  1. update your study skills
    You will need to learn a large amount of coursework in order to earn a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. Many students spend a lot of time in the library in the evenings and on weekends, just to stay on track. Refresh your study skills before enrolling in an undergraduate program. If you know your favorite study methods and have a daily routine, you’ll have a much easier time coping with your academic work.
  2. Take the medical school admissions test.
    After you get your bachelor’s degree, you will need to apply to medical school. You will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is a required part of the medical school admissions process and can replace the results of other standardized tests. The exam covers subjects such as biochemistry and psychological basics of behavior.
  3. Complete your residency.
    If you pass the MCAT, you’ll get into medical school and earn a degree that gives a comprehensive understanding of physical and mental health. The two often overlap, which helps psychiatrists recognize specific symptoms and provide the most accurate diagnoses and treatments.

To graduate from medical school, you need to pass many exams. One of them is the psychiatry shelf exam, which you will take at the end of your third year. Many students excel on this exam using online resources and study materials such as videos and question banks.

  1. Complete the scholarship.
    Some psychiatry professions require a fellowship in a subspecialty. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) classifies psychiatric specialties into 10 groups, including psychiatry and youth psychiatry. Complete a residency and register for a fellowship in your chosen specialty. They usually last about a year and include clinical work as well as courses, research projects, and case conferences.
  2. Get licensed and certified
    Every practitioner must obtain a medical license in their state. Each state has different licensing rules, so find out where you live or plan to move after your internship. It may take some time for the board to process your application, resume, references, and other credentials. Find out what you need to submit and how long it may take in your state to determine when you can start applying for jobs.

You can also research board certification. You don’t have to get it if you have a medical license, but it may put you ahead of other applicants when entering the field of work.