What do you major in to become a psychiatrist

Psychiatrists specialize in emotional and mental health, but they have the same foundational training as other physicians. Their education enables them to diagnose both the mental and physical reasons for illness, according to the American Psychiatric Association. They use a wide range of treatments, including psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and medication. A practicing psychiatrist must have a bachelor's degree, a medical degree, additional qualifications in psychiatry and a state license.

Medical School Prerequisites: 4 Years

Prospective psychiatrists must complete a four-year bachelor's degree as preparation for medical school. Essential undergraduate classes include English, math, biology, chemistry and physics. Although no particular major is required before applying to medical school, many students major in biology or chemistry. You need good grades because competition for medical school is keen. Improve your chances for acceptance by engaging in extracurricular college activities and volunteer work in a hospital or other health-care setting. Most medical schools require you to take the Medical College Admission Test from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Medical Degree: 4 Years

Medical school programs lead to a doctor's degree and typically take four years. However, some colleges combine the bachelor's and medical degree in accelerated six- or seven-year programs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The curriculum in med school typically includes classes in physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience, psychiatry and neuroscience. After two years of coursework, students engage in clinical rotations in a minimum of five specialties, assisting physicians with patient care in hospitals and outpatient centers. Some possible rotations include psychiatry, family practice, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Residency and Fellowship: 4+ Years

A graduate physician must complete a minimum of four years of residency to qualify as a psychiatrist, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The first year consists of a general hospital residency treating patients with all types of illnesses. The future psychiatrist spends a minimum of three more years treating psychiatric patients in clinics, psychiatric wards or hospitals. The physician must then pass an examination from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for board certification. Some psychiatrists complete optional fellowships after residency, studying sub-specialties such as addiction or geriatric psychiatry.

Licensing

Every state requires psychiatrists to become licensed as physicians. Each state makes its own requirements, but in general you must complete an accredited medical degree and a residency. You must also fulfill state examination requirements by passing the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination for M.D.s or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination for D.O.s.

To train as a psychiatrist, you will start out training as a medical doctor, focusing later in your chosen subspecialty. 

Medical school

The first step is to take a medical degree (MBBS, MBChB).

To be secure a place at medical school, you’ll need good grades in Scottish Highers or A Levels, normally including one or more science subjects (chemistry is compulsory at most medical schools).

Work experience will also help you get into medical school as well as improving your knowledge and understanding of psychiatry.

There are many hospitals throughout the UK which offer work experience to school or sixth-form students. Also, consider other “caring” roles such as volunteering with St John’s Ambulance or working in an old person’s home.

The BMA, Medical Schools Council and Health Careers websites provide more information about getting into medical school.

Medical degrees normally take five years, though you can complete some graduate entry courses in four years (if you already have a degree). Or, you can “Intercalate” (do a BSc degree in one year), extending your medical degree by one year to six years.

If you are interested in working in Mental Health, but do not want to complete a medical degree, you may consider careers such as psychology and counselling. The following organisations can provide further information:

• NHS Health Careers
• British Psychological Society
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

Foundation training

Although you are training all through your two-year foundation programme, you will also be working, which means you will be being paid too.

You will complete a number of training posts, each lasting a few months. Throughout the programme, you’ll get experience in a number of different medical specialties, such as GP, Psychiatry or surgery.

There is more information about the Foundation Programme, what you’ll learn and how to apply on the Foundation Programme website.

Core psychiatry training

During core psychiatry training, you will work and train in a number of different sub-specialties within psychiatry. This way, you’ll gain a broad understanding of the specialty.

Core training lasts three years, these are referred to as CT1, CT2 and CT3. By the end of CT3, you need to have completed your MRCPsych exam so that you can apply to the next stage of training.

There are two opportunities per year to apply to core psychiatry training. Information about how to apply, including the person specifications, is available via the North West Deanery, who manage the recruitment process.

You may be able to apply for run-through training, which guarantees you complete both Core and Higher training in one region – read about our pilot child and adolescent training programme.

Higher psychiatry training

Higher Psychiatry Training normally takes three years, known as ST4, ST5 and ST6.

During those three years, your training will reflect the sub specialty you have chosen. You will train in child and adolescent, forensic, general adult, old age, psychotherapy or psychiatry of learning disabilities.

There will also be opportunities to work in other sub-specialties including: addictions, eating disorders, neuro psychiatry, perinatal and social and rehabilitation psychiatry.

Information about how to apply to higher psychiatry training is available from the North West Deanery. When you have completed your training, you will receive your CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training).

You may be able to apply for run-through training, which guarantees you complete both Core and Higher training in one region – read about our pilot child and adolescent training programme.

Working as a psychiatrist

When you have completed your training, you will receive your CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) and you will be entered onto the GMC’s specialist register. This means that you are able to apply for consultant posts.

As a consultant psychiatrist, you are able to work independently (though you will still be working in a team). You may also lead a team of other professionals in managing the care of patients.

At this point in your career, you may also want to develop other work interests such as medico-legal work, teaching and training, or management and leadership.

A significant number of doctors working in psychiatry are neither trainees nor consultants, and are known as Specialty Doctors and Associate Specialists (SAS). Doctors may have chosen SAS posts rather than training or consultant posts for a variety of reasons. SAS doctors are a diverse group with regards to their level of knowledge, clinical skills, training, and needs – both educational and career-wise. SAS doctors are required to be responsible to a named Consultant Psychiatrist and form an important part of the psychiatric team.