Kiana
Should I go into Psychology or Psychiatry?
I want to major in Psychology, but I want to get my Ph.D. Should I switch to Psychiatry? #psychology #psychiatry
5 answers
Jared Chung
CareerVillage.org TeamJared’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hi Kiana. If your goal is to get a Ph.D., you can get one in Psychology, so you don't need to change your undergraduate major at all. In fact, you can get a PhD in a huge variety of fields, with a great number of undergraduate majors. I have to say, it's an interesting goal to say that you'd like to get a PhD, while still in High School. Why are you interested in a PhD? Maybe you should edit your question a little bit to add in a little explanation of why you're interested in getting a PhD. That might help other professionals here on CareerVillage with PhDs give you advice about that piece of your question.
I'm interested in getting a PhD because I eventually want to have my own office and be my own boss. I think someone told me you needed a PhD to be a self employed.
Kiana
Well Kiana, I think I've got good news for you: in order to be self-employed, you do not need a PhD! Having a PhD is an advanced degree meaning that you've studied for many years. You can be self-employed in many fields, and don't need to have a PhD to do that! Having a boss isn't so bad though. You can learn a lot from a boss! Why don't you want one?
Jared Chung, Admin
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Psychology vs. Psychiatry:
When deciding between pursuing a career in psychology or psychiatry, it is essential to understand the key differences between the two fields. Psychology and psychiatry are related disciplines but have distinct roles and educational paths.
Psychology:
Definition: Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It encompasses various subfields such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, and more.
Education: To become a psychologist, you typically need a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. This involves several years of graduate study, research, and clinical training.
Practice: Psychologists focus on assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders through therapy and counseling. They often work in private practice, hospitals, schools, or research institutions.
Licensing: Psychologists must be licensed to practice independently and provide therapy services. Licensing requirements vary by state but generally involve completing supervised clinical hours and passing a licensing exam.
Psychiatry:
Definition: Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health.
Education: To become a psychiatrist, you need to complete medical school followed by a residency in psychiatry. This path typically takes around 12 years after high school.
Practice: Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, conduct medical tests, and provide psychotherapy for mental health conditions. They often work in hospitals, clinics, or private practice settings.
Licensing: Psychiatrists are licensed physicians who can diagnose mental health disorders, prescribe medications, and offer comprehensive treatment plans to their patients.
Decision Making:
If your goal is to pursue a Ph.D., then psychology would be the more suitable path as it leads to a doctoral degree specifically focused on psychological research and practice. However, if you are interested in prescribing medication or taking a more medical approach to mental health care, then psychiatry would be the better choice.
Ultimately, the decision between psychology and psychiatry should align with your interests, career goals, and preferred approach to helping individuals with mental health concerns.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. It provides valuable information on education requirements for psychologists and career paths within the field of psychology.
American Psychiatric Association (APA): The APA is a professional organization representing psychiatrists in the United States. It offers insights into the educational journey to become a psychiatrist and outlines the roles and responsibilities of psychiatrists in mental healthcare.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): NIMH is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is dedicated to research on mental disorders. Their resources provide information on different mental health professions like psychology and psychiatry, helping individuals make informed decisions about their career paths in mental health care.
GOD BLESS YOU KIANA!
JC.
Kat Hsueh
Kat’s Answer
Hi! As the previous two people answered, yes, you can open your own business regardless of a Ph.D. The primary difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that the latter has a degree in medicine and can prescribe medication.
Psychologists with Ph.D. degrees usually pursue a career in clinical or counseling.
Psychiatrists are physicians that can help in diagnosing and treating and preventing medical illnesses.
Either career would require extensive schooling after your undergraduate degree.
William Hervey, M.D., M.B.A.
William’s Answer
I chose Psychiatry. Psychology is a noble profession and helps quite a few people, but psychologists lack a fundamental the understanding of the medical issues that affect patients. An example, a patient comes to your office because they are depressed and anxious. As a physician, a Psychiatrist knows that a low functioning thyroid is one of many medical conditions that cause depression. I have cured depression and anxiety in hundreds of people simply by ordering some lab tests, identifying the medical condition causing their symptoms and -- after appropriately treating the medical condition -- cured their psychological symptoms. Psychiatrists are also trained in psychotherapy.
You can major in psychology as an undergraduate student and -- by taking the necessary science requirements -- apply to medical school.
William recommends the following next steps:
Mia Shipman
Mia’s Answer
Hi Kiana . You can get a doctorate (PhD) in Psychology or as a Psychiatry; you just need to decided which one you want to do. As Jared said you do not need a PhD to establish your own business. Once again you need to decide what type of business you want to go into; that will be the driving force on what type of business and what level of education you might need.
Hope this helps!!