Choosing Between Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology
There are a few factors to keep in mind when deciding between the best clinical psychology graduate programs for you. Before beginning your search, you may want to consider the below.
- Your career goals
- Whether you are more interested in academic research or clinical practice
- Location and program format
Your preferred career outcome is important as psychology is a regulated field and licensing laws vary by state and the type of position.i While no degree or career is guaranteed, you may wish to research these requirements to find a program to fill your needs.
This often goes hand in hand with whether you prefer research to practice. Clinical psychology programs can take either path, depending on degree type and program focus. Read program curricula and follow up with schools directly to find a perfect match for you.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most clinical psychologists need a doctorate in psychology, an internship, at least 1 to 2 years of supervised professional experience, and to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychologyi
Choosing Clinical Psychology Degree Programs
Types of Clinical Psychology Programs |
Program Type | Certificate in Clinical Psychology | Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology | Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology |
Format | Online, on-campus, or hybrid | Online, on-campus, or hybrid | Online, on-campus, or hybrid |
Degree | No (some have options to transfer to a master’s degree program) | Yes M.A. or M.S. Concentration in clinical psychology | Yes Ph.D. or Psy.D. Concentration in clinical psychology |
Duration | 1 year of fulltime study | 2 years of fulltime study | 5-6 years of fulltime study |
Additional Requirements | Students might be able to select a focus within clinical psychology | Potentially: prerequisites, thesis, exam, specialization, residency | Potentially: dissertation, exam, specialization, residency |
Clinical Psychology schools primarily offer masters and doctoral degrees, though graduate certificates may also be available. While each may cover relevant topics in clinical psychology, the requirements, depth of study and goals may vary.
For example, some masters clinical psychology programs require applicants to have earned a Bachelor of Psychology degree, while others may be suitable for students from diverse backgrounds. These students however may be required to take prerequisite courses before enrollment. This may include introductory psychology, experimental psych and statistics.i
Similarly, certain clinical psychology PhD programs accept applicants with a bachelors degree and a major in psychology. Others may require students to have a masters degree.i
Make sure to find out specific details directly from clinical psychology programs that interest you.
Clinical Psychology Masters Programs
Clinical Psychology Masters Programs may offer Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) degrees with thesis or non-thesis options. Both programs typically involve a combination of coursework, field work and research.
Some learners use a Clinical Psychology masters degree as a platform to continued education. Others may seek potential career paths other than licensed clinical psychologists.i Usually the thesis option is for those who are planning to earn a doctorate degree. The non-thesis option, on the other hand, could be a great choice for students interested in working in the following careers.
- Industrial-organizational psychologistsi
- Psychological assistant under the supervision of a doctoral psychologisti
- Mental health counselors (requires post degree supervised clinical work and state licensure)iii
- Marriage and family therapists (requires post degree supervised clinical work and state licensure)iii
Typically a Masters in Clinical Psychology degree may be earned with two years of full time study. Applicants often have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, or have taken classes in psychology and statistics. Many schools also request GRE and GPA scores, letters of recommendation and related clinical experience.
However, Clinical Psychology Masters programs each have different requirements and goals. Contact schools directly to learn more.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs may be offered as research-oriented Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or clinical practice-oriented Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degrees. These differences may be reflected in both the program curriculum and approach to course materials
Aside from a doctorate degree, prospective practicing psychologists must have pre-or post-doctoral supervised experience and internship before they can qualify for state licensure.i Therefore, some programs are designed to help meet this requirement and include practicums and internships.
Clinical Psychology PhD programs may also include a research and dissertation component. Every school is different.
Once all the educational and state criteria for licensure have been met, graduates might pursue the following careers as practicing clinical psychologists.
- Forensic Psychologistsv
- Pediatric Psychologistsv
- Health Psychologistsi
- Neuropsychologistsi
What Might I Study in Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs?
At the masters level, you might expect more variance in curriculum than at the doctoral level. This is because the APA accredits clinical psychology graduate programs at the doctoral and postdoctoral level and therefore articulates some course guidelines.ii
That said, a clinical psychology major might expect to study some of a wide range of the following topics.
- Clinical assessment
- Personality appraisal
- Psychopathology (suicide, violence)
- Clinical psychopharmacology
- Behavior modification
- Therapeutic intervention techniques
- Patient interviewing
- Personalized and group therapy
- Child and adolescent therapy
- Cognitive and behavioral therapy
- Supervised clinical practice
- Ethics, regulations
- Mental illness
- Scientific researchii
Programs vary.
On-Campus or Online Clinical Psychology Programs?
Accredited institutions may offer residential (campus), distance-learning (online) and partially online (hybrid) clinical psychology graduate programs. Each has their own potential benefits.
On campus programs may be great for those who prefer to learn in a classroom with other students. This may be especially beneficial in clinical psychology programs, as it is a field based heavily on interpersonal interactions.
Clinical psychology schools may make it easier to participate in simulations and practice various techniques. Plus students may have access to labs for research, libraries and other support services.
Online learning, on the other hand, could provide unparalleled flexibilty. Courses might be accessed when and where is easiest for you, making it a great option for busy adult learners. Some online clinical psychology programs even integrate on campus benefits like digital databases and interactive message boards and chat rooms.
It is important to note, that while coursework may be completely online, some of these programs may require students to perform internships or research in a nearby location. Often clinical psychology schools will either arrange or support students in finding these opportunities. Every school is different, so follow up to learn more.
Hybrid programs may provide a combination of both of the above options, allowing students to access the best of both worlds. Some hybrid programs allow students to mix online and campus classes. Others may rely heavily on online learning, with students visiting campuses for short intensives each semester. Look for the program format that fits your learning style and needs.
Accreditation For Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs
Accreditation for clinical psychology programs is worth understanding. That's because it not only may help you judge the quality of a program, but could be a requirement for pursuing licensure or qualifying for federal loans.
In the United States, accreditation occurs at the institutional and programmatic level. For psychology programs, the APA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the national authority on professional education and training in psychology.vi Their scope is doctoral graduate programs, internship programs, and postdoctoral residency programs.
That said, universities and psychology schools offering masters programs in clinical psychology tend to be regionally accredited. As with anything, stay informed and in tune with your academic and career requirements.
Find Clinical Psychology Programs
Enjoy the study of behavior and brain function? Then your next step is to find a clinical psychology program in line with your ambitions. Review our sponsored program listings to find options that could include Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology; Master of Science in Clinical Psychology; PsyD Doctor of Psychology; PhD Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, and more.
You can also sort the list using the menu bar by degree type, learning format or location.
Programs may sound similar. This is why we recommend using the ‘request info’ setting to contact prospective clinical psychology schools. This may help you learn about their unique qualities, location and above all, deadlines for application.
Fill out the simple on page form to contact schools directly and get one step closer to finding a perfect clinical psychology graduate program today!
sources: [i] bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm | [ii] apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/clinical.aspx |[iii] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm |[iv] bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm | [v] onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3031.02 |[vi] apa.org/ed/accreditation/about/index.aspx
