Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: What’s the Difference?

When diving into the world of higher education, it’s important to analyze your interests so that you can make the best degree choice. Do you appreciate the struggles of others and try your best to empathize and talk out their problems? Or are you simply interested in the workings of the human mind? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider pursuing a degree in psychology (or psychiatry). 

At the start, it’s easy to not understand the differences between a psychologist vs psychiatrist, but once you do you’ll be well on your way to pursuing a successful career. 

The difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is not as complicated as it seems. Let’s dive in. 

What is a Psychologist? 

What first comes into your mind when you hear the word psychologist is most likely talk therapy. Yet, the real definition of a psychologist is a person who studies the intricacies of the mind and behavior. Not at all limited to working as a mental health professional, a psychologist is someone who possesses an advanced degree in psychology which can be applied in various forms. This includes working in applied psychology to solve common world issues as well as in research which involves experimentation and the performance of studies on humans and animals. 

What is a Psychiatrist? 

Unlike psychology which emphasizes the study of the mind and behavior, psychiatry is a medical field that involves diagnosing and treating more complicated mental health conditions. One of the main distinctions between a psychiatrist vs psychologist is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has the ability to prescribe medicine while a psychologist may not do so. 

In order to become a psychiatrist, one must study various sciences and ultimately earn a doctorate. The path to becoming a psychiatrist is a long one. Once one gains a bachelor’s degree, one must then attend medical school for an additional four years and then complete four years of residency upon its completion. 

Which Field is Better: Psychology or Psychiatry?

Now that you understand the differences between psychiatry vs psychology, it’s time to analyze what field would be better suited for your interests. In truth, there’s no absolute answer for what field is better, because what degree appeals to you is a personal decision. 

If you don’t want to dedicate yourself to years of study and medical school, perhaps psychiatry isn’t the best match for your goals. If you know you want to enter the mental health field but still aren’t sure what area best suits you, a great positive towards pursuing a psychology degree is that there are many subspecialties you can enter. This includes child psychology, forensic psychology, and health psychology. 

Can I Become a Psychiatrist with a Psychology Degree?

Well, the choice was made. Although you have decided to become a psychologist, you have a lingering doubt if you made the right decision. Is it too late to become a psychiatrist if you already have a degree in Psychology? 

As mentioned above, 4-5 years of medical school are necessary in order to earn a degree in psychiatry. This means that although it is greatly beneficial to have a Bachelor’s in Psychology, there’s only so far it can take you. In order to become a psychiatrist you must enter medical school and have completed numerous prerequisites such as chemistry, physics, biology, and organic chemistry. 

So, can you become a psychiatrist with a Psychology degree? Yes, but you will have to go to med school and fulfill all the necessary requirements for becoming a psychiatrist. 

What’s the Expected Salary for Psychologists and Psychiatrists?

Another variable in deciding whether you want to pursue psychiatry vs psychology is the salary expectations. So, what are the psychologist vs psychiatrist salary expectations? 

As psychiatrists are medical doctors, it makes sense that their salary can be significantly higher than that of a psychologist. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, the mean annual wage of a psychiatrist is $ 249,760, while a psychologist’s estimated annual income is $81,040.

While the difference in salary can be a huge sway in favor of pursuing psychiatry, it all depends on how much schooling you want to have and where your interests lie when deciding if you would rather pursue psychiatry or psychology. 

Job Growth and demand: Psychologists vs. Psychiatrists 

According to the BLS, the estimated job outlook for psychologists is six percent,  just above average. This means that “about 14,100 openings for psychologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.” In contrast, US News reports that “The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.7% employment growth for psychiatrists between 2021 and 2031.” Such a large percentage reveals that psychiatry is a rapidly growing field, so if medicine interests you it’d be smart to jump on the bandwagon.  

Best Countries to Study Psychology 

Psychology is an incredibly important degree due to the amount of influence psychologists possess. Therefore, it’s imperative to choose the right school and the right country in which to study psychology. Some of the top countries in which to study psychology are the USA, UK, and Canada. Widely known for its prestigious universities, students who study psychology in the US have the opportunity of applying to incredible universities such as Harvard and Stanford. If studying in the UK appeals to you, look no further than the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford. Finally, Canada is home to fantastic universities such as University of Toronto and University of British Columbia. 

Catch! 

The ball’s in your court, now. Being that you are equipped with all the information you need in order to choose if psychiatry or psychology appeals to you, it’s time to make a choice. Whether you are fresh out of highschool or want to change careers, knowing which degree you want to pursue is the first step. So cheers to beginning your journey, and best of success along the way!