In most countries, a doctor must have an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree to practice psychiatry. Psychiatry is a medical specialty that requires specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. To obtain an M.D. degree, a person must complete four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, and three to seven years of residency training. During residency training, future psychiatrists learn how to diagnose and treat mental illness using various methods, including psychotherapy, medication, and other therapies.
In some countries, there are other routes to becoming a psychiatrist without obtaining an M.D. degree. For example, in some jurisdictions, a person may become a psychiatrist by completing a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree and then completing residency training in psychiatry. However, these pathways are typically less common, and the M.D. degree is the most common route to becoming a psychiatrist.