Possible for me to run a private podiatry practice while also teaching psychology at a university?

[Ranseurus]

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Hello. I am a senior in high school at the moment and am stuck between pursuing two entirely different fields of medicine, as odd as it sounds. I am currently interested in both podiatry as well as psychology. I happen to be attracted to podiatry because of the nature of the physical procedures I would be able to perform on my patients. However, I also happen to be very psychologically perceptive and inclined. I successfully finished AP Psychology during my Sophomore year in high school, and my teacher said I was one of the brightest she had ever had. I feel as though pursuing a Phd. in the field and teaching as a professor in a four year university would come very naturally to me. So, I am at a crossroads. Would it be practical or reasonable for me to pursue both a D.P.M degree and eventually open a private practice, and teach psychology during other times of the day? If so, what would be the most efficient path I could take in order to achieve this duality? Thanks.

*This is a duplicate thread of one that I posted under the Psy.D section of the forums as I wasn't sure to which one this belonged in.

 

[EK18]

I don't recommend this. Podiatry and psychology are about as different as you could get and both will require enormous amounts of time and energy. It's possible to do a dual DPM/PhD at some podiatry schools but I believe the research around that PhD is almost always podiatry related. You may have asked this in the Psy.D forums but Psy.D is a clinical degree. A PhD is not a clinical degree, it is a very lengthy research oriented program and it's not something someone picks up just to teach as a side hobby. I really wouldn't recommend it unless you loved research and were willing to focus your life on it. It's also very difficult to get a teaching job at a 4-year university even with a PhD, you would have to have some serious publications under your belt to even get a shot. And even then, many professors only teach so that the school will fund their research. Trying to get the psychology publications you need to get a teaching position at a university while simultaneously running a solo private practice is simply not realistic. If you want to teach but have no interest in research, then consider getting a Masters and maybe teaching Psych or AP Psych at high school (or CC if you can).

It sounds like you are at a crossroads because you are unable to make a decision between two very different paths, and so you are trying to have your cake and eat it too. It's nice that you did well in AP Psych in high school but that alone shouldn't be the deciding factor for what you want to do with the rest of your life. Read some psychology publications to figure out if research is something you are interested in, and then shadow a few podiatrists. Good luck in whatever path you choose.

 

[CapCrunch]

Begin college before even entertaining this. One AP Psych course does not a psychologist make. Entrench yourself in the rigors of university before contemplating these vastly different fields.