Please help----education question!?

Question

I'm wanting to go to school to become a psychologist or even a psychiatrist. I know the difference between the 2 but how much schooling must I have to actually become one. 6-8 years???? Help me please! Oh..and would I want my undergrad degree to be a BA or BS in Psychology? Thanks so much!

Answer 1

A psychiatrist must hold an MD degree. I psychologist does not need the extra 4 years. A psychiatrist may prescribe medicine (being an MD). A psychologist may not. In some states it used to be possible for anybody to proclaim them self to be a psychologist as there was no formal definition of the requirements. I believe that most of those states have tightened up the situation.