Expert: Dr. Kevin D. Kanz - 1/6/2007

Question
Good evening. I am a junior high school student who needs help with choosing a major. I am interested in psychiatry because I like science and I have gone through therapy myself. Still, I am confused about becoming a psychiatrist. Could you please tell me what are the requirements and what is the path for being a psychiatrist?  

Answer
Selwan,
I am not a psychiatrist nor am I a mental health professional, but I will try and answer your question as best I can.  Psychiatry is a sub-specialty of the medical profession.  In order to practice as a psychiatrist you must first earn a medical degree (MD or DO), then complete an internship, residency and a fellowship in order to earn board certification.  This is a multi-year process even after you have earned your bachelors degree and have been granted admission to an accredited school of medicine.  In preparation, you should speak to your high school guidance counselor and ask how best to prepare for a degree in medicine, then study hard to make good grades.  Medical programs are quite competitive.  If you are interested in mental health, you should also look into degrees in psychology, social work and licensed professional counseling  (LPC).  There are some very good on-line links that take you through the process fairly well.  Here are a few:

http://www.studentbmj.com/back_issues/1001/careers/377.html
http://www.psych.org/edu/careers.cfm

Hope this helps!
~Dr.K