How long does it take to become a psychiatrist?

I'm a junior interested in pursuing a career as a psychiatrist, but I'm not quite sure about the timeline for education and training. How many years does it generally take to become a licensed psychiatrist after finishing high school? Thanks for any info!

Hello! It's exciting to hear that you're considering a career as a psychiatrist. In general, the path to becoming a licensed psychiatrist takes about 12-14 years after high school. Let me break it down for you:

1. Undergraduate degree (4 years): You'll need to complete a bachelor's degree, usually with a focus on pre-med courses like biology, chemistry, and psychology.

2. Medical School (4 years): After completing your undergraduate studies, you'll attend medical school to earn your Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Medical school will involve both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.

3. Residency (4 years): Following medical school, you'll enter a psychiatric residency program, where you'll receive specialized training in treating various mental health disorders and gain hands-on experience working with patients under the supervision of experienced psychiatrists.

4. Optional: Fellowship (1-2 years): Some psychiatrists choose to pursue a fellowship for further specialization in areas such as child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, or geriatric psychiatry. This is not required but can add 1-2 years to your training.

5. Licensing: After completing your residency (and fellowship if you choose to pursue one), you'll need to obtain a state medical license and pass the board certification exam in psychiatry.

In summary, the timeline to become a licensed psychiatrist typically takes a minimum of 12-14 years after high school, including undergraduate studies, medical school, residency, and potentially a fellowship. Best of luck on your journey!