 Originally planning to enter the priesthood, Alibert did not begin studying medicine until he was 26 years old.As a medical student in Paris, he studied with renowned physicians that included Pierre-Joseph Desault (1744–1795), Jean-Nicolas Corvisart (1755-1821), Xavier Bichat (1771–1802) and Philippe Pinel (1745–1826).In 1801 he was appointed to the Hôpital Saint-Louis (then known as the ), where he administered to patients with skin disorders, syphilis and leprosy.