We're here to help.
If you’re fascinated by the inner workings of the human brain and how it influences behavioral patterns, you may consider pursuing a mental health field, such as psychiatry. In this career guide, you can explore how to become a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in mental health. They can diagnose and treat mental and behavioral health disorders and even work to prevent them.1
The term “psychiatry” is sometimes used interchangeably with “psychology,” yet these disciplines aren’t the same. While both involve mental health, psychiatrists are medical doctors who have prescribing authority and can also perform psychotherapy. In contrast, psychologists may be clinicians who can deliver psychotherapy treatments.1
Number of U.S. adults living with a mental health disorder as of 20222
Mental illnesses can range from mild to moderate to severe.2 They include everything from panic attacks and depression to hallucinations and suicidal ideation.1 Any type of mental or behavioral disorder has the potential to negatively affect a person’s quality of life, such as by limiting a person’s ability to engage in major life activities (e.g., work or relationships).2 So, what do psychiatrists do to help these patients? These physicians can work across the continuum of care — from assessment and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up.
Each patient’s mental and physical state is unique. Therefore, psychiatrists must develop personalized treatment plans geared toward each patient’s unique situation, needs and goals. Some patients may achieve recovery with medications and psychotherapy, while others might need additional treatments like deep brain stimulation. Psychiatrists generally work closely with patients to develop these treatment plans, as it can be beneficial for patients to actively participate in their recovery.
Some of their common responsibilities include:1
Assessment
Psychiatrists talk to patients to assess their physical and mental state.
Diagnosis
They perform various lab and psychological tests to identify mental health conditions.
Treatment Planning
Psychiatrists develop an individualized treatment plan in collaboration with the patient.
Pharmacotherapy
They prescribe appropriate medications to help manage mental health symptoms.
Psychotherapy
They deliver “talk therapy” to patients to improve coping skills, manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
Other Treatments
Psychiatrists may recommend other treatments like vagus nerve stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy and deep brain stimulation.
Those with a passion for both psychology and medical science may wonder how to become a psychiatrist. Although the career pathway can differ slightly from one professional to the next, there are certain requirements that must be met.
The journey to become a psychiatrist can be challenging, and you can expect the curriculum to become progressively more rigorous as you transition from being an undergrad student to a medical school student. Yet, you may find a psychiatry career to be meaningful and rewarding if you have a genuine interest in helping others overcome mental health disorders so they can enjoy a better quality of life.
Explore a psychiatrist’s education and licensure requirements here:
Since all psychiatrists need a college degree and a professional degree,3 the path to become one starts with earning your high school diploma. While there are no specific high school courses you must take to pursue this pathway, you may find it helpful to enroll in biology, chemistry and psychology classes. You might also look for relevant internships and job shadowing opportunities during your high school years.
In order to choose an appropriate bachelor’s degree, understand that all aspiring psychiatrists must go to medical school. It’s a good idea to research medical schools before choosing a bachelor’s degree so that you can select one that enables you to meet the entrance requirements for multiple medical schools. One solid choice is a bachelor’s degree in biology with a pre-medicine emphasis. A psychology major might also allow you to meet the entrance requirements,3 but you may need to fulfill the prerequisite requirements by taking electives in chemistry, biology and physics.4
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to take the MCAT entrance exam and apply to medical school. You can expect medical school to consist of a blend of classroom instruction, labs and clinical experience hours.3
While not strictly required, completing internships and volunteering in a healthcare setting is recommended. You can pursue these roles as a baccalaureate student to enhance your medical school application.3
After earning a medical degree, you will work as a resident in a hospital or clinic. Psychiatric residency programs are like entry-level roles in other fields and consist of didactic instruction and experience hours. You may receive advanced training in one or more subfields in psychiatry, such as chemical dependency or forensic psychiatry.3
To work as a psychiatrist, you must obtain a medical license by passing the licensing exam. If you wish to dispense medications, you might need to register with your state to obtain prescribing authority.3
While all psychiatrists need to graduate from medical school, the path they take can vary. Various degrees, such as psychology or programs with a pre-med emphasis may meet the necessary requirements.3 If you choose a psychology major, you may need to take biology, chemistry and physics electives to fulfill the prerequisite requirements for medical school.4
Medical schools typically seek applicants with a strong foundation in math and sciences.3 These degree programs usually offer a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experience. If you don’t meet medical school admission requirements with your bachelor’s degree, you may consider pursuing a master’s degree to fulfill those requirements.
A typical pre-med emphasis program will cover topics like:
Microbiology
Cellular biology
Chemistry
Anatomy
Pharmacology
Biochemistry
While aspiring psychiatrists typically choose between a pre-med emphasis or psychology degree to prepare for medical school, there other options available. For instance, you might major in a pre-med program and also earn a minor in psychology. This combination could provide a well-rounded foundation for your future studies in psychiatry.
A psychiatrist’s education and training provide opportunities for them to acquire crucial skills for diagnosing and treating patients.
Generally, these professionals can benefit from the following skills:3
Empathy
Active listening
Diagnostics
Patient education
Pharmacotherapy
Communication skills
Psychiatrists have numerous career opportunities across different settings, specializing in various areas of mental healthcare.
They can work in a variety of settings, including:3
Hospitals and Clinics
Psychiatrists may provide inpatient or outpatient care in hospitals and clinics.
Rehabilitation Programs
These professionals can focus on individuals who need intensive care in inpatient rehabilitation programs.
Community Agencies
Psychiatrists can also work with underserved populations within community agencies.
Judicial System
They may provide psychiatric care to defendants and inmates.
Median annual wage for psychiatrists in May 20235
Estimated job growth rate for psychiatrists from 2022 to 20326
A psychiatrist’s earning potential can vary based on numerous factors. These can include years of experience, credentials, specialties and employer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychiatrists had a median annual wage of $124,070 in May 2023.5
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for psychiatrists to increase about 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 1,000 new jobs in the field.6
The field of psychiatry has many avenues for career advancement. You might pursue board certification in a subspecialty area, for example, such as adult psychiatry or child and adolescent psychiatry.1 Another option is to pursue a career in healthcare administration. If you become a research-focused psychiatrist, you might pursue advancement as a department head.7
Stay informed with the latest insights and updates on psychiatry, psychology and counseling fields.
A psychology degree can be quite versatile, potentially leading to a wide range of career options.
Explore how you could make a positive impact on the lives of others with a psychology or counseling background.
Consider five top reasons for earning a master’s degree in psychology and broadening your career options.
Learn more about GCU’s psychology and pre-med emphasis programs.
1 American Psychiatric Association. (2023, January). What Is Psychiatry? Retrieved Nov. 19, 2024.
2 National Institute of Mental Health. (2024, September). Mental Illness. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2024.
3 Monteiro, I. (2023, March 3). How to Become a Psychiatrist (With Salary, Skills and FAQs). Indeed. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2024.
4 Kaplan. (n.d.). Medical School Prerequisites. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2024.
5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Psychiatrists as of May 2023, retrieved Nov. 19, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as psychiatrists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
6 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychiatrists, retrieved Nov. 19, 2024.
7 Vault. (n.d.). Psychiatrists. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2024.
