Although psychologists and psychiatrists seem like the same job, they are not.

Although they work

together, the job scope and the process to become a psychologist and a psychiatrist vary.

To become a psychologist, one has to earn a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Art in psychology.
After that, he or she will attend a graduate program and continue to a doctorate degree in psychology.
Including undergraduate studies, a psychologist spends nine to eleven years in school to earn a
doctorate degree. One can either earn a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Doctor od Psychology (Psy.D.).
To get licensed as a psychologist, he or she must undergo to years of internship or supervised practice.
After that, he or she needs to pass the EPPP (The Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology).
Psychologists are not licensed to prescribe drugs in most states except New Mexico and Louisiana. They
use scientific methods and psychological testing to interpret patients emotions and mental health
disorders. They have the proper training to interpret and analyze tests such as Wechsler Adult
Intelligence Scale and Rorschach Inkblot Test. Psychologists are more like consultants, for example, they
are consulted for depression and eating disorders. The average salary for a psychologist is $73,225 per
year.

Being a psychiatrist requires a medical degree (M.D.) after an undergraduate degree in science. Just like
any other doctors, psychiatrists are expected to learn about the functions of the human body and
physical examination skills. After finishing medical school, psychiatrists need to complete four years of
residency, where he or she gets specializes in psychiatry. After the residency, psychiatrists can choose a
sub-specialization such as geriatric psychiatry and biological psychiatry. After graduating from and MD
program, psychiatrists need to sit for the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination and American Board of
Psychiatry and Neurology certification exam. This process may take anywhere from twelve to fifteen
years. Psychiatrists perform medical laboratory tests and psychological tests. They can also prescribe
drugs such as psychotropic drugs because they have an MD license. They normally work in a team of
nurses, social workers, psychologists, and occupational therapists. The average salary for a psychiatrist is
$194,000 a year.

In conclusion, a psychologist and psychiatrist are different jobs with different scopes and requirements.
A psychologist practices with a doctorate degree and cannot prescribe drugs, while a psychiatrist
practices with a medical doctor degree and is licensed to prescribe drugs.
Reference

Psychologist Salary. Retrieved June 17, 2017, from

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychologist/Salary

Psychiatrist Salary. Retrieved June 17, 2017, from

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychiatrist/Salary

Psychologist vs Psychiatrist - What's the Difference. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2017, from
http://www.efpa.be/psychologist-psychiatrist.htm

Dittmann, M. (2004, January). What you need to know to get licensed. Retrieved June 17, 2017, from
http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2004/01/get-licensed.aspx

Timms, D., & Yousif, D. (Eds.). (2015, June). What to expect of your psychiatrist in the UK? Retrieved
June 17, 2017, from
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/treatmentswellbeing/psychiatristswhattoexpect.aspx