Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs

Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs and Curriculum

Obtaining a master’s degree in clinical psychology will allow you to study subjects you enjoy in more depth than an undergraduate degree did. To work at the highest level possible, you may find that you need a doctoral degree, but a master’s degree in clinical psychology is the next stepping stone toward obtaining your career goals.

The American Psychological Association recommends asking yourself the following questions when trying to narrow down the abundant choices for a clinical psychology master’s program:

What would your fellow students be like? What students does the program typically admit, in terms of test scores and academic background? Are they highly competitive or do they take a more balanced approach to academics?

• What percentage of admitted students graduate and how long does it take them?
• What are the goals of the program? Do the clinical psychology master’s program objectives match your career goals and your capabilities as a graduate student?
• If you are interested in an academic or research career, you may want to look at graduates’ success rate in obtaining postdoctoral research fellowships, academic appointments, or applied research positions in an outside facility within the first five years after graduation.
• If you’d prefer a clinical psychology graduate program that emphasizes professional practice, you will definitely want to find out how many of the program’s graduates obtain licensure and where graduates of the program are employed after graduation.

Most clinical psychology graduate degree programs prepare you to think critically and analytically rather than train for a specific job or position. Depending upon which clinical psychology graduate degree program you choose, you may not need to have an undergraduate degree in psychology. Some programs will require a GRE and/or MAT standardized test score. Some may not. However, admission into any clinical psychology graduate degree program may be difficult, as the number of applicants is usually far more than the number of available slots in a semester.

A master’s degree in clinical psychology typically takes anywhere from one to two years to complete, unless you choose to specialize in a topic such as educational or school psychology, which often requires three years for completion. To obtain a doctorate degree in clinical psychology, add on another three to four years, depending on how much time it takes for your dissertation and clinical practicum or internship.

Be aware: the APA does not currently accredit master’s degree programs in clinical psychology; they do however accredit doctoral clinical psychology level programs and the institutions offering those programs.

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Degrees come in both Psy.D. and Ph.D. variations. The Ph.D. is the oldest and most widely regarded of the doctoral level degrees and is generally considered a research degree. Students in a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program can generally expect to enter a research or academic based professional field, possibly with a hospital or drug company.

First awarded in the late 1970’s, the Psy.D. has been increasing in popularity among universities and graduate students alike. Similar to the M.D. awarded to doctors, a clinical psychology Psy.D. signifies that the student has placed an emphasis on preparing for professional practice rather than extensive research training. While Psy.D.’s are gaining popularity, it’s important to note that according to the APA, 75% of clinical psychology graduate degrees are a Ph.D.

Clinical Psychology Career Paths

Once you have obtained your graduate degree in clinical psychology, you are capable of working in many sectors from elementary, middle and high schools to mental health outpatient facilities and high-risk youth centers or in private practices.

Data according to

The American Psychological Association, Figure 3 Primary Employment Settings

Clinical Psychology Future Job Outlook

Based on the Occupational Employment Statistics Survey done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a clinical psychologist was approximately $61,140 in May, 2008. Pay levels vary with the industry of employment.

Data according to

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

Career opportunities for clinical psychologists are expected to grow at an average rate of about 13 percent by 2018. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts more than 190,000 people will be employed as psychologists, with more than 168,000 as clinical psychologists. As lifestyle factors continue to be a challenge for many people and healthcare organizations seek to prevent and treat issues such as smoking and obesity, clinical psychology will be at the forefront of the diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of these diseases.