Virgin Islands Clinical Psychology Master's & PhD Programs

Do You Need a Graduate Degree in Psychology?

Most psychology career paths call for at least a Master’s degree. And, career paths like Clinical Psychologist require a PhD or Psy.D.

The education you’ll need also depends on your state’s licensure requirements. You’ll generally need to earn a Master’s degree for Mental Health Counselor licensure and a doctorate for Clinical Psychologist licensure. You may also need to complete an internship and/or supervised clinical experience. Many clinical psychology graduate programs include these kinds of preparation.

What Does A Clinical Psychologist Do?

Clinical Psychologists assess and treat disorders related to mental and behavioral health. They may give diagnostic tests, provide psychotherapy, and devise behavior modification programs.

Some Clinical Psychologists treat specific populations – like children or the elderly. They could work in places like:

• Schools
• Ambulatory healthcare services
• Government
• Hospitals
• Private practice

Graduates with a degree in clinical psychology could also pursue counseling career paths. Mental Health Counselors provide some of the same services as Clinical Psychologists. For instance, they help treat issues like anxiety, depression, and stress.

Top Metro Areas for Employment: Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists work in many industries. These range from home health services to private businesses. Industries that employ the most professionals in this field include:

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Offices of Health Practitioners
• Individual and Family Services
• Outpatient Care Centers
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

Masters in Clinical Psychology vs Ph.D in Clinical Psychology?

A Master’s in Clinical Psychology program could help you prepare for certain psychology career paths. Or, it could serve as a stepping stone to doctoral study. This program delves into the theory of psychology, plus techniques for clinical practice. You could also choose a concentration, like counseling, addiction, or gerontology.

Clinical psychology Master’s programs may emphasize research, supervised clinical experience, or both. You’ll often need to complete a Master’s thesis, along with practicums and/or internships.

Clinical psychology PhD programs dive deeper into the field. These doctoral programs are research-intensive but usually include both theory and applied practice. Expect to study skill areas like assessment, intervention, and psychotherapy. Practicums and internships may help candidates prepare for practitioner roles.

Some students earn a Master’s and then pursue a PhD later – or never. In dual Master’s/PhD programs, candidates enroll with a Bachelor’s degree. In these programs, you could pursue a Master’s on the way to earning your PhD in Clinical Psychology.

What Courses Are Needed for a Psychology Graduate Degree?

Coursework in clinical psychology graduate programs covers human behavior, personality, intervention, and more. Some courses focus on typical behavior and development. Others cover psychopathology and how to treat patients with mental health challenges.

You could also take courses in professional ethics, standards, and laws. And, students who choose a concentration pursue specific courses in that area. For example, you could delve into neuroscience or forensic psychology.

Some common courses in Clinical Psychology programs include:

• Social Psychology
• Personality Disorders
• Research Methods
• Child Psychopathology & Treatment
• Health Psychology
• Human Sexuality
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Problem Solving & Creativity

What Classes Will I Take?

Your classes may consist of core courses in psychology, plus electives and coursework within your concentration. You could take classes like:

• Multicultural Perspectives in Psychology. Cultural identity influences beliefs, behavior, and mental health. This course could help you prepare to work with patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Health Psychology. This course explores the role of psychologists in medical settings. For example, you could study sleep disorders, behavioral medicine, and biofeedback.
• Professional Ethics and Law. Mental health professionals often deal with sensitive situations. This course covers topics like patient confidentiality, reporting of abuse, and professional behavior.
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. This course discusses the theory and practice of psychotherapy. You could take a look at Freudian and Jungian models, among others. And, you’ll study contemporary, evidence-based techniques.
• Personality Theory. This course delves into what makes individuals unique. You could explore motivations, emotions, self-concept, and how personality changes over time.

What Should I Know About Accreditation in Clinical Psychology?

You may need to graduate from an accredited clinical psychology program to pursue licensure in your state. (Check with your Virgin Islands state board to learn more.)

Most accrediting organizations evaluate a program’s curriculum, adherence to industry standards, and improvement over time. So, accreditation can help you make sure you are pursuing a high-quality program.

Several organizations accredit programs in clinical psychology or clinical mental health counseling. These include:

• American Psychological Association (APA). APA accredits doctoral psychology programs in Clinical Psychology and other areas. They also accredit doctoral internships and residencies.
• Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). MPCAC accredits Master’s programs in counseling and psychology.
• Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). PCSAS accredits PhD programs that use a clinical science training model.
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accredits certain graduate counseling programs. These include Master’s programs in clinical mental health counseling.

How Much Does Graduate School Cost for Clinical Psychology?

The average cost of earning a graduate degree from a public institution is $11,617 per year. So, you might find programs both more affordable and more expensive than the average. Below, note the graduate tuition costs of four institutions with Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs as reported by NCES. We compared those costs to the typically most affordable and most expensive college options, also reported by NCES.

Find 1 Top Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs in Virgin Islands Here