Psychologist vs Psychiatrist has been discussed in this article including, definitions, degree, salary, job outlook and more.
When entering into the level of higher studies, it is of high importance that you sit down and analyze your interests in order to make the best choice of degree. Do you understand the difficulties of others and Do you try to understand and discuss their problems? Or are you just interested in how the human mind works? If a yes was your answer regarding any of these questions, you might want o to consider pursuing a degree in psychology.
The difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is easy to misunderstand at first, but once you do, you’re well on your way to a successful career.
The difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is not as complicated as it may seem. Let’s go a little deeper.
What is a Psychologist?
When you hear the word “psychologist”, talk therapy is probably the first thing that comes to mind. But the true definition of a psychologist is someone who studies the complexities of thought and behaviour.
A psychologist is not limited to working as a mental health professional, but a graduate in psychology, which can be applied in many different ways. This includes work in applied psychology that deals with common problems in the world, as well as human and animal experiments and research.
What is a psychiatrist?
We have mentioned that psychology deals with the study of mind and behaviour, but psychiatry in itself is the branch of medicine responsible for diagnosing and treating more complex mental disorders.
One of the main differences between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that a psychiatrist is a doctor who has the right to prescribe medication, while a psychologist cannot.
To become a psychiatrist, you must study various sciences and eventually earn a doctorate. The road to becoming a psychiatrist is long. After completing your bachelor’s degree, you must attend medical school for four more years and then complete four years of residency training after graduation.
Also Read: 15 Best Schools for Psychology in the World
Psychology vs Psychiatry: Which one should you go for?
We believe that with what we have already discussed so about Psychologist vs Psychiatrist, we have helped you to understand the difference between psychiatry and psychology, we will now use this section of this article to discover the field that will be best for you. In fact, there is no straightforward way to answer this question as to which field is the best, as it is a personal decision about which degree you want.
If you don’t want to commit to medical school and study for several years, psychiatry may not be the best choice for your goals. If you the kind of person who is interested in the field of mental health, but you’re not yet sure which field is the best fit for you, the great thing about getting a psychology degree is that you can apply for many specialities, such forensic psychology, health psychology and child psychology.
Can I become a psychiatrist with a degree in psychology?
Well, the choice is made. Even though you have made up your mind to become a psychologist, you still doubt whether you have made the right decision. Is impossible for one to become a psychiatrist if they have already acquired a degree in psychology?
If you have been reading this article sequentially you will have read the part where we mentioned that a psychiatry degree requires 4-5 years of medical studies. This means that while it is extremely rewarding to earn a BA in Psychology, it is not the limit of what can be achieved.
To become a psychiatrist, you must enter medical school and meet several requirements in chemistry, physics, biology, and organic chemistry.
So, when it comes to the question of becoming a psychiatrist with a psychology degree, the answer is Yes, but you must attend medical school and meet all the necessary requirements to become a psychiatrist.
Also Read: 10 Psychology Scholarships For International Students in Canada
Psychologist VS Psychiatrist: What is the Salary Outlook?
Another this you need to really consider before deciding whether or not you want to pursue a career in psychiatry or psychology is the expected salary. What are the salary expectations for psychologists and psychiatrists?
Since psychiatrists are medical doctors, it makes sense that they are paid significantly more than psychologists. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average annual salary for psychiatrists is $249,760 and the estimated annual salary for psychologists is $81,040.
Although the pay gap supports psychiatry quite differently, it all depends on what kind of training you want to pursue and what interests you have when deciding whether you want to go into psychiatry or psychology.
Psychologists vs Psychiatrists Job Growth and Demands
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment outlook for psychologists is estimated at 6%, which is slightly higher than average. That translates to “an average of about 14,100 job openings for psychologists every year for the next 10 years.
When comparing the Psychologist vs Psychiatrist, the Bureau of Labour Statistics expects the employment of psychiatrists to grow by 8.7% between now and the next decade. The higher percentage indicates that psychiatry is a rapidly growing field, so if you are interested in medicine, it is wise to join it.
Best places suitable for studying Psychology
Psychology is a very important degree because psychologists are very influential. Therefore, choosing the right school and country to study psychology is very important. Some of the best countries to study psychology are the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
The United States is famous for its famous universities, and psychology students have the opportunity to apply to top universities such as Harvard and Stanford. If you want to study in Great Britain, check out Cambridge or Oxford. Finally, Canada is home to top universities such as the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia.
Conclusion
After consuming this article, it is let for you to take action. Now that you have all the information you need to choose psychiatry or psychology, it’s time to make your choice. Whether you’re graduating from high school or planning to change careers, the first step is to know what degree you want to pursue and make efforts to meet the requirements.
We hope this article on Psychologist vs Psychiatrist provided you with the information you need. We wish you the best on your academic journey
