If I got my degree in psychology and started my career as a psychologist could i just go to school for 2 more years and become a psychiatrist or no they are not the same basic major?
2007-05-03 15:29:49 · 6 answers · asked by Chacacon 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Big difference there. Psychology is social science. Psychiatry is medicine. You'd be going to school for a lot longer.
Plus, to start your career as a psychologist, you need a Ph.D. in Psychology. Master's or Bachelor's degrees won't let you become a psychologist anymore than a BA in Math makes you a "mathematician" or a BS in Biology makes you a "biologist". The Ph.D. would take you 4-5 years post-undergrad. Med school would take another 4-6 years.
Unless you want to be in school foreva, it looks like you should go for one or the other. By the time you're an MD (psychiatrist) or a Ph.D. (psychologist), it's not worth your time or money getting the other degree.
2007-05-03 15:37:06 · answer #1 · answered by Buying is Voting 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is your degree in psychology? A psychologist must have a Ph.D. You cannot call yourself a psychologist with a B.A. or B.S. or even a Master's degree in psychology. A doctorate in Psychology requires 2 years of post graduate work in which you obtain an M.A. and then another 2-4 years in order to obtain your Ph.D. So the answer to your question is no. A psychiatrist is an M.D. who specializes in treating people who suffer from mental illness and who can prescribe medication. You would first have to pass the MCAT's to get into Med school, then you'd have to go through 4 years of med school, than at least another 2-4 years as an intern treating people with mental illness.
2007-05-03 15:56:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A psychologist typically pursues an educational track through a master's degree and then on to a Ph.D or a Psy.D. (Licensure as a psychologist is now only available at the doctoral level.) A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, so you'd have to go to medical school to become a psychiatrist.
They are both types of professional helpers, but they enter different educational programs (e.g., graduate school vs. medical school) and pursue different degrees.
2007-05-03 15:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Psychologist learn the strategies. they may well be in contact in medical artwork, yet some psychologists basically do learn as destructive to offering treatment. they won't be able to prescribe drugs. A Psychiatrist is somebody with a medical degree. they are in contact in treating sufferers and can prescribe drugs. Psychotherapist is a popular term for all people who supplies treatment for psychological issues. they could or could no longer be a qualified medical psychologist or psychiatrist.
2016-12-10 18:48:28 · answer #4 · answered by schebel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your country and state laws - it will vary. usually a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialised, so if you're not a medical doctor, you cannot become a psychiatrist. What's wrong with being a psychologist?
2007-05-04 01:37:24 · answer #5 · answered by shakespear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that psychiatrists also have a medical degree.
2007-05-03 15:37:29 · answer #6 · answered by Superfreaky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋