Wht are the reqs for becoming a licensed psychiatrist in Florida?
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Answer:
In order to be a psychiatrist you need to attend an tradtional college/university and earn a BA or BS. Then you need to make sure that you have the required prerequisite classes for medical school which is inorganic chemistry I and II, organic chemistry I and II, physics I and II, biology I and II, 6-9 gredit hours of english/ english lit.. And some schools require that an applicant has calculus and 3-9 hours of behavioral sciences. And don't forget to take the MCAT, have good recommendations, maybe volunteer at a hospital etc.. Then apply to medical school in which you will earn either a MD or DO depending on what program you want to be in. (A psychiatrist has earned either an MD or DO.) After you graduate from medical school, you need to enter a psychiatry residency (I don't know how long the residency program lasts, maybe 2-3 years?). But, if you want to be a psychologist, you still need a BA or BS and then go to gradtuate school for psychology and earn a PhD.
Be careful not to confuse a psychiatrist with a psychologist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who writes out prescriptions and decides whether physical and mental disorders are from physical or psychological origins. A psychologist, however, is a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D). Those are not medical degrees, and a psychologist cannot prescribe medicine. But in order to become either one, you need to earn a B.A or B.S. first and have very good grades.
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