Medical Careers : How to Become a Psychiatrist

To become a psychiatrist, a bachelor's degree in a science discipline and a passing MCAT score is required, followed by four years of medical school, a four-year residency and passing the board exam. Consider becoming a psychiatrist with tips from a practice administrator in this free video on career information.

Expert: Mark MacBayne
Bio: Mark MacBayne, with a Master of Public Health degree, is a practice manager at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.
Filmmaker: Bing Hu

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• careers
• doctors
• medical careers
• careers in medicine
• medical field careers

[Ms2313Princess]

Do u have to get a major in biology or chemistry or any other science course to be accepted in medical school?

[chescaa8i8]

Could you take 4 years of psychology and then 4 years of medicine to become a psychiastrist?

[JorgeInternacional]

@Raizo1988 Yes I am. I don't think you need to be "above average" in Math to gecome a successful psychiatrist. Perhaps math knowledge would help you for the MCAT, but it's definitely NOT required at all... I would say, focus a lot on Anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology during college...it will pay off at Med School.

[Raizo1988]

@JorgeInternacional

Your a Psychiatrist? What is the likelyhood of a person with average math skills successfully making it to medical school and onward to becoming a Psychiatrist?

[TaylorRhoat95]

@JurisArcane Can you not count? 4 year degree + 8 years of medical school (4 years pre-med, 4 years of actual medical school) + 1 year of Medical Doctor internship + 4-5 years psychiatry residency + 2 - 3 years for psychiatry fellowship (Which fellowship is totally optional) so in the end you will be looking at 17 - 18 years or 19 - 20 or so years IF you include the fellowship.

[JohnnyJohnW]

You need a Ph.D in candies.

[roberth214]

@wttbsh08 are you stupid? His comment says 4 year degree + 4 years med school + 2 to 4 years of specialization/residency...4+4­+2 = 10, 4+4+4 = 12...I'm pretty sure his math is fine. Many places in North America do not require fellowship. HIS MATH was right, I'm not saying residency is as low as 2 years, but his math was correct you retard.

[JorgeInternacional]

@xOEHLALA It is totally worth it, at least for me. It depends on where you will be working as a psychiatrist. If you're gonna work in an academic setting (teaching hospital) the pay will be way less than if in a private hospital or private practice. I got a big student loan but I can tell you every month, after paying all my debts/mortgage/car, etc I still keep about 50% of my paycheck. It does pay well, don't be discouraged and check average salaries in your state and don't accept just any pay

[JorgeInternacional]

@TheFriendlyEngineer You'd be surprised how many people I've save from committing suicide by providing medication and counseling. I've helped many people live healthy and functional lives by treating them from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and much more. I'm glad I can help these people get better!

[xOEHLALA]

@JorgeInternacional Was it worth it? Do you like your job? Don't you have huge university debts now or does your job pay really well?