Could someone walk me through the steps onto becoming a Forensic Psychiatrist?
I’m aware that it takes going to medical school to become a forensic psychiatrist, but I’m still slightly confused. Could someone just walk me through what to do for my 4 year degree, and med school and all that. What classes do I take? I heard that law classes are required. Also how many years will I be taking tests and sitting in classrooms. And how many years total before I can officially go on to do my own thing.
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June 2nd, 2010 at 11:51 pm
4 years undergrad.
4 years medical school (2 years classes, 2 years clinical rotations).
4 years psychiatry residency (clinical work).
1 year forensic psychiatry fellowship (clinical work).
total: 13 years.
Law classes are in general not required, at least not until your psych residency at the very earliest. It doesn’t matter what you study in undergrad as long as you take the 10 science, math, and English courses required by medical schools, have a strong GPA and activities, and do well on the MCAT. There are lots of resources with more information about getting into medical school - a quick google search can locate them for you.
You’ll be taking tests throughout undergrad, medical school, and residency. You’ll have to take the Psychiatry boards and the Forensic boards as well after finishing training, and you’ll have to retake them every five or ten years, I’m not sure which, throughout your career.