Child psychiatry (question about college requirements.)?

Question

So I am thinking about going into a psychiatry field (NOT psychology)

I was doing some research and am trying to get some facts straight.

According to the article I found, this is the required education for a child psychiatrist :

Career in Child Psychiatry

Upon completion of a bachelor's degree, usually in one of the biological sciences, psychiatrists must complete a 4 year medical program. Then, psychiatrists must complete a 4 year residency program in child psychiatry before applying for board certification in Child Psychiatry. The residency program may include such courses as inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, outpatient child, adolescent, and family treatment, and community consultation psychiatry, among other courses.

So my question focuses around schooling.

Does this mean you aren't required to have a Ph.D or masters degree?

After a 4 year degree, you go straight to med school?

Mehhhh, can someone explain?

Answer 1

Yes, psychiatry is a medical specialization. You take pre-med requirements (biology, chemistry, physics) as an undergrad, then go to medical school - no masters or PhD required. You will be an MD, a doctor, a physician.

You can also get a PhD if you want, but there is no PhD in psychiatry. The PhD would be in psychology.

As an undergrad, you can major in anything you want. You can also take electives outside your major. If you want to go into child psychiatry, I strongly suggest several courses in psychology. You could major in it,  but you don't have to.

Recommended psych courses for your bachelor's degree:

Child Psychology or Developmental Psychology

Cognitive Psychology

Neuropsychology

Physiological Psychology

and any others that interest you, such as mental health, social psych, research methods, etc.

Realize that the main difference between psychiatrists and psychologists is that psychiatrists prescribe drugs. These days, they do this more than therapy sessions. Both psychiatrists and psychologists test/assess, diagnose, prescribe therapy and both can do research. Both can conduct therapeutic counseling, but psychologists do more of this, at least on an outpatient basis.

Answer 2

That is correct.

Psychiatrist are permitted to prescribe drugs to patients and thus need to attend medical school and obtain an MD.

A Psychologist do not prescribe drugs and so they only need a PhD to practice,    

Answer 3

You're the one confusing psychology with psychiatry. Psychiatry is a medical doctor degree--because you focus more on treating the body with prescriptions. You do not need a masters, just your med school education and your residency, but be warned that your residency will be the hardest thing to get.

Good luck!