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How do you become a psychiatrist?In Canada, psychiatrists must have a degree in medicine, a license to practise medicine in their province, and specialist certification in psychiatry by either the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or a provincial college.
It usually takes about 12 years of post-secondary training to become a psychiatrist. Candidates must first acquire a Bachelor of Science Degree at university. To be admitted to a BSc program, the candidate must acquire specific high school science courses such as biology, chemistry, physics and some math. Consult a high school guidance counsellor to determine what courses are necessary to get into a Bachelor of Science program at your University of choice. Note that universities have different grade average cut-offs.
It is not necessary to complete the Bachelor of Science program before applying for medical school, but certain core courses must be successfully completed before taking the MCAT (medical school entrance exam). These core courses are biology, biochemistry, physics and chemistry. Some institutions require others. Before entering university, verify the requirements with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Some people fill the requirements in one year; most do it in two.
Medical school takes four years. There are 17 medical schools in Canada. Psychiatry, a medical specialty like cardiology or neurology, requires further study after obtaining a medical degree. After obtaining their medical degree, a candidate must apply to the speciality of Psychiatry within the department of medicine at one of the medical schools. This phase of a psychiatrist's schooling requires five years of study.
For links to university psychiatry departments, see "psychiatry departments" on the CPA Links page.
Psychiatrists wishing to relocate to and practise psychiatry in Canada should contact the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for guidance about the process and specific requirements. Link to RCPSC psychiatry documents.
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February 04, 2012
