BA to Psychiatry

Quick question-

I have a BA in Psychology. I want to get a degree in Psychiatry, preferable with a emphasis in men/boys problems. ( Sounds strange I know- but I see the need.) I had rather be schooled in Jung/Freud with some extra pharmacology to boot. Here'e the problem-

I have a BA in general psychology from B&M state accredited.

What do I do?

If I am not mistaken, I need a M.D. However, I have been watching and like the D.O. thing.

I hate to even pose this but- can I do it cheaper/ quicker from a non - US school ( read that Caribbean or other)? Especially if I plan on going into Psychiatry instead of the more ..... 'scientific' disciplines?

Much thanks from all who can help, with an extra request for Dr. Gulick to respond.

CCBapt

 

Hmm. The MD is (if I understand correctly), by and large, a generalist degree in which you study all fields of medicine and then develop your specialty (psychiatry) in a residency which you do post-MD. Therefore, if you wanted to be a psychiatrist, you would eventually specialize (men's/boys' problems) after you start your practice. On the other hand, if you wanted to start specializing earlier, you could become a psychologist, which would involve getting an MA/PhD in Psychology or a PsyD degree. Apparently, from somewhere in the deep recesses of my memory, I seem to recall having read/heard that there is a movement afoot in some states to allow psychologists limited prescription-writing priviliges for psychiatric meds, though I would check the laws in the state wherein you intend to practice before you take that leap. Northcentral University www.ncu.edu has a post-doctoral MA in Psychopharmocology that might be of interest, if you went that route, upon checking your state's laws. Yes, it is possible to get a Caribbean MD and then take the United States Medical Licensure Exam, or USMLE. A few Caribbean med schools for you.

American University of the Caribbean www.aucmed.edu
International University for the Health Sciences www.iuhs.edu
Ross University www.rossmed.edu
Saba University School of Medicine www.saba.org
Saint George's University www.stgeorgesuniv.edu
Spartan Health Sciences University www.spartanmed.org
University of Health Sciences Antigua www.uhsa.ag
University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine www.eustatiusmed.edu
Windsor University School of Medicine www.windsor.edu

 

BA to Psychologist ??

Interesting. I always assumed that the M.D. would be earned and then another round of course work for Psychiatry. I did not know it would be a special focus in a residency.

That would mean that wherever I went to get the M.D. or D.O. would need faculty in that area as well as a reputation for doing mens/boys issues.


Thanks.

Any idea what a Psychologist - say a Psy.D. - makes in comparison to the M.D. ?

CCBapt

 

Re: BA to Psychologist ??

You might check out www.salary.com .

 

Puerto Rico MD

HUGE Thanks!!

I am doing some research on Psychologists prescribing medication. It seems my state - Georgia, has allowed for some of this.

Also, in my area Psychologists make an average of $ 63,000.
Psychiatrists- however- make about $173,000 nationally.

While searching- what about med schools listed in Puerto Rico?

CCBapt

 

Re: Puerto Rico MD

PUERTO RICAN MED SCHOOLS

Ponce School of Medicine www.psm.edu
Universidad Central de Caribe School of Medicine www.uccaribe.edu
University of Puerto Rico www.rcm.upr.edu

 

Re: Puerto Rico MD

No doubt. But the psychiatrists are probably not making that by conducting therapy. More likely they are making that by conducting 4+ 'med consults' per hour all day long.

Regards,
GME

 

Psychiatry 137,000

GME -

Would that be in a private practice as a consultant or would that be as a staff member on a hospital?

CCBapt

 

Re: Psychiatry 137,000

That could be either. Which is fine with most of them (although there seem to be a few who either wish they could afford to conduct therapy or who do therapy and take the resulting financial hit).


-- GME

 

HI,

You may have some difficulties gaining admission to a U.S. Med school with a state accredited BA. If your school is RA, then you would have a better chance. Also, your chances of admission will depend on your GPA, MCAT scores and interview. Keep in mind too, that Med schools have certain prerequisite courses that need to be completed at the undergraduate level before applying to Med School.

English Comp. - 1 year
Biology - 1 year (w/ labs)
Organic Chemistry - 1 year (w/ labs)
Inorganic Chemistry - 1 year (w/ labs)
Physics - 1 year (w/ labs)
Calculus (not all med schools require this, but some do).

Your chances will be much better at an overseas med school. Just be sure that you do your homework on the school first!

Good luck!

- Tom

 

Thanks japhy4529.

That is one of the reasons I am looking outside the US. The others are: cost, time, and easy entrance. There seems to be much discussion about which med schools are more 'rigorous' with US schools usually winning.

That suits me fine since I am considering Psychiatry. Which seems to be less technical than say vascular surgery.

One thing I have been tossing around is the time factor. I have a friend who is a retired surgeon. Total time in school? 10 Years!!!!!! 4 for undergrad. 4 for med school. 2 for residency specialty in surgery.

That is a LOT of time.

I am keeping the option open for a Psy.D. with a special post- doctoral certificate in pharmacology. This is in hopes - as Ted Heiks informs me- that psychologists may earn the right to prescribe psychotrophic medication.

Still - I LIKE the sound of "Psychiatrist" knowing it is a MEDICAL degree! AND the income sure is a lot better.

CCBapt

 

GME $ 137,000 Psychiatry

GME-

Does that mean that a Psychiatrist who only does therapy make about the same as a Psychologist ( Ph.D. or Psy.D.) that usually do therapy?


CCBapt

 

japhy4529 BA Psychology

japhy4529/ Tom-

Are you planning on doing gradute work after you get your BA in Psychology?

CCBapt

 

Re: GME $ 137,000 Psychiatry

Hello CCBapt,

I am a licensed Psychologist in NY and my brother is a Psychiatrist (in the same area). I know that he makes more money prescribing/consulting medications versus conducting therapy. In fact, in the area of NY that we live, we both make the exact per hour rate conducting therapy. Where HE makes the big bucks is on medical consults and medicinal management. He went into it wanting to conduct therapy; however, he is a "pill monger" -- my lovely term for him that he hates -- after all he is my BIG brother! BTW, my hourly billable rate is 128 per hour (same as his doing therapy. I know (by what he has told me) that he can crank out 225-260 per hour doing med consults. I like my job more !!

On the off shore deal, you need (at least in NY) to be an MD. An OD is only for eyes and they are not allowed to specialize in psychiatry. However. in NY Nurse Practictioners and Physician Assistants are allowed to have a psychiatric bent to them. They can practice on their own BUT are not able to collect the major insurance carriers ... it is rough for them (here anyways). I have had two friends become MDs through Ross (as mentioned in an earlier post). It was reasonable and fairly fast tracked. It is also accepted here in the states.

I hope this helps you - if not - sorry !

peACE,
ACE

 

aceman Psychologist

aceman-

Yes, that is REALLY helpful! Until now, I did not realize Psychiatrists made thier money from medical consults/ management. I supposed - wrongly - they were paid more per hour in therapy.

It is also nice to see you making $ 128 per hour, in case I do want to go the Psychology route.

I have picked up on the Physician Assistant aspect of it all. This is a viable option for me, but not if insurance will not carry it. I am checking this as I live in the state of Georgia.

I guess - other than my inflated ego and the $$$ - I would want to prescride medication to those I am treating. But in true counselor fashion- this would be for a limited time. Still the MD thing sound GOOOOD to me.

BTW - What is your specialty/ mode of counseling? How many hours do you typically bill per week? Did you get any of your training from distance education?

Much thanks for the Ross tip.

CCBapt

 

aceman Psychologist

aceman-

Yes, that is REALLY helpful! Until now, I did not realize Psychiatrists made thier money from medical consults/ management. I supposed - wrongly - they were paid more per hour in therapy.

It is also nice to see you making $ 128 per hour, in case I do want to go the Psychology route.

I have picked up on the Physician Assistant aspect of it all. This is a viable option for me, but not if insurance will not carry it. I am checking this as I live in the state of Georgia.

I guess - other than my inflated ego and the $$$ - I would want to prescride medication to those I am treating. But in true counselor fashion- this would be for a limited time. Still the MD thing sound GOOOOD to me.

BTW - What is your specialty/ mode of counseling? How many hours do you typically bill per week? Did you get any of your training from distance education?

Much thanks for the Ross tip.

CCBapt

 

Re: Re: GME $ 137,000 Psychiatry

I forget which is OD and which is DO, but one is Doctor of Optometry (only for the eyes) and the other is Doctor of Osteopathy. Osteopaths are allowed to specialize in psychiatry.

 

Re: GME $ 137,000 Psychiatry

On the other hand would a PsyD/PhD (psychologist) with a post-doctoral MA Psychopharmacology who lives in a state where psychologists are allowed limited prescription-writing priviliges for psychiatric drugs be able to make a salary more like that of a psychiatrist if he did mass quantities of med consults?

 

post BA getting into medical school

Take a look at this article

http://career.berkeley.edu/Article/050211b-hh.stm

Even to get into offshore medical schools you will need to have the science courses. There are some fast ways to do that if you are not afraid of heavy courses.


Osteopathic medicine is a good option in the US see

http://www.aacom.org/home-applicants/

Be careful of offshore medical schools. Some promise much and you end up not being able to license in all states. The only schools accepted widely are SGU, AUC, SGU, and Saba (go to www.valuemd.com to read more about offshore med schools on their forum)

 

Re: Re: GME $ 137,000 Psychiatry

Too early to know....only states that are doing it much yet are New Mexico and Louisiana and it is in its infancy. But psychologists won't be doing med consults much. They will be working under an MD's supervision for the first year or two. But it would make you suitable to practice in rural areas...otherwise you aren't needed. In most areas psychiatrists are the lowest paid physicians..that is why many immigrants end up in the profession