Many people today are interested in learning how to become a psychiatrist so they can pursue a fulfilling and profitable career in the field. The requirements for psychiatrist schooling are significant, but the rewards after completing the training are significant. Most who fulfill the education requirements will become a clinical psychiatrist, but there other career opportunities available to consider as well as specialty niches that can be pursued as well.
Steps to Becoming a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, and the educational requirements are extensive. A licensed psychiatrist will meet with patients in a variety of different settings and environments to evaluate, diagnose, and treat various mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. A psychiatrist may prescribe prescription drugs for treatment of various conditions, and may also use other forms of therapy to treat those conditions, too. Here are the basic steps required to become a psychiatrist:
- Bachelor’s Degree. The first step is to to major in a related field in a four year college or university. A major in psychology or an area of natural sciences is often recommended, and so it is advisable to consider applying to one of the top psychology schools or natural sciences schools.
- Medical School. With a Bachelor’s psychology degree or a degree in another related field, the next step is to apply to and to ultimately graduate from medical school. Consider applying to medical schools with excellent psychiatry departments.
- Residency. After completing medical school, psychiatrist schooling continues with approximately 36 months in a paid residency program. Residency may include rotations in psychiatric departments as well as in other specialties like pediatrics, internal medicine, and more.
- Specialization. After residency is complete, some professionals may consider pursuing specialization in niche areas of psychiatry such as pediatric psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and others.
- Licensing. Psychiatrists are required to be licensed by passing the US Medical Licensing Exam. They must also be approved by the Drug Enforcement Agency before writing prescription orders for patients.
Top Schools to Consider
There are numerous schools throughout the country where a pre-medical degree may be obtained. Those interested in pursuing a career in this field may be interested to know what some of the top psychiatrist schooling options are for their medical degree. Here are a few of the leading educational programs in the country for this field:
- University of Pittsburgh
- Yale University
- University of California – San Diego
- University of Pennsylvania
- East Carolina University
Admission into these schools is often highly competitive, as is the case for most medical school programs in schools across the country. Those interested in pursuing a career in this area will want to focus on earning top grades in their pre-medical classes, and may consider other educational options such as research and laboratory options offered by some schools in addition to coursework.
Salary Expectations After Psychiatrist Schooling
There are numerous factors that can affect a psychiatrist salary. These include the work environment that is chosen, if an area of specialization is chosen, years of work experience, and more. In general, anticipated income potential may range from about $153,000 to about $228,000 per year. The median income with several years of experience in the field is about $193,000 per year. This is a career option with an excellent outlook, as demand for professionals is expected to increase in coming years as the population grows.
Compared to Psychology
Some people interested in pursuing a career in psychiatry may be intimidated by the amount of schoolwork required for this career. Psychology offers the opportunity to enjoy a similar therapy-based career with the requirement of a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. However, it should be noted that while education requirements are less, income potential of a psychologist is significantly less, too. In addition, a psychologist does not have the ability to treat patients with prescription medications.
Psychiatrist schooling is a first step towards a rewarding and lucrative career that allows a professional to provide assistance and therapy to those suffering from mental, behavioral, and emotional health issues. Those interested in pursuing a career in this field should first enroll in a four year degree program in psychology, natural sciences, or a related field to begin the education process.