Can I major in psychology and become a doctor?

Question

Justin Parker · Accepted Answer

No, you can not major in psychology and become a doctor. While getting a degree in psychology will provide some good foundational knowledge for the medical field, you must still gain a certain number of credits in health sciences to get into medical school. Acceptable bachelor's degree programs to become a doctor include:

Biology
Chemistry
Pre-med

Biology
Chemistry
Pre-med

Getting a degree in psychology can help you when you become a doctor because it can give you a strong understanding of human behavior and insights into how to best communicate and empathize with patients.

If you have a degree in psychology and want to become a doctor you might be able to speed up the process of earning your bachelor's degree in a required field due to having taken some of the necessary credit courses. Once you have finished your bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or pre-med you can then go on to take the MCAT exam for medical school.

After graduating from medical school you would then have to complete a three to four-year residency, and after that possibly a medical fellowship that lasts another three to four years. In addition, they would also have to take the physician licensing exam and in some cases board licensing exams, depending on what type of doctor they want to become.