Medical Education US

to be a psychiatrist i know i want a degree in psychology first , but for the medical degree is there a SPECIFIC degree in medicine that would be helpful to me? and i f i get a degree as a psychiatric assistant will that help to be a psychiatrist please email me at robertadre_2002@yahoo.com

Hi there.

For clarification, in the U.S. there is no such thing as a "specific" degree in medicine. The medical school degree you earn is the same, no matter whether you want to become a surgeon, a family practitioner, a psychiatrist, or any other specialty.

It is the residency that you complete AFTER med school that trains you to become a certain kind of specialist. These vary in length, according to the medical specialty, and you get paid as a resident during these years (as opposed to paying tuition like you do during med school).

Also, to become a psychiatrist, you don't need a 4-year degree in psychology. You can study whatever you want for your undergraduate degree, as long as you successfully finish the pre-med requirements.

Training as a psychiatric assistant might help you to determine whether you want to become a psychiatrist (exposure to the field)... but unless it is getting you through your undergrad degree it could be more of a side journey than a direct path to medical school and a career in psychiatry.

I hope that helps!