The Best Graduate Schools for Clinical Psychology Programs of 2024
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2024Master’s in clinical psychology programs can lead you to various careers in counseling and therapy or a doctoral degree. Discover the best clinical psychology programs and what they offer.
Popular Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Graduate Schools for Clinical Psychology of 2024
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, VT- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$46,590
- Out-of-state$46,590
- In-State$11,160
- Out-of-state$11,160
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled1,573
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$53,770
- Out-of-state$53,770
- In-State$35,982
- Out-of-state$35,982
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled58,226
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$60,276
- Out-of-state$60,276
- In-State$56,067
- Out-of-state$56,067
- Retention Rate99%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled23,409
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment7%
- AccreditationYes
Teachers College at Columbia University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- In-State$34,078
- Out-of-state$34,078
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled4,805
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
California Lutheran University
- Thousand Oaks, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$45,500
- Out-of-state$45,500
- In-State$20,450
- Out-of-state$20,450
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled3,617
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,368
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled67,959
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Immaculata University
- Immaculata, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$26,900
- Out-of-state$26,900
- In-State$12,780
- Out-of-state$12,780
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled2,392
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
- North Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- In-State$36,390
- Out-of-state$36,390
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,051
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
Antioch University-Los Angeles
- Culver City, CA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$20,370
- Out-of-state$20,370
- In-State$17,976
- Out-of-state$17,976
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled815
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Montclair State University
- Montclair, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,755
- Out-of-state$21,465
- In-State$13,740
- Out-of-state$13,740
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled21,784
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
What Can I Do With a Graduate Degree in Clinical Psychology?
A clinical psychology master’s degree can set the foundation for a clinical psychology doctorate and psychologist licensure, or it may qualify you for state licensure as a counselor or therapist without any further training.
These graduate degrees can help position you for counseling, diagnosing, and developing treatments for diverse clients. They can also equip you with the skills and credentials to develop and manage clinics or community programs.
Your opportunities depend on your chosen program, specialization, state, and postgraduate license.
What Specialties Are Available With a Master’s in Clinical Psychology?
Mental Health Counseling
This specialty focuses on identifying and treating a variety of mental health conditions and disorders. You apply counseling and psychotherapy skills to help clients live healthier and more productive lives. In all states, mental health counselors need licensure, which requires an accredited master’s degree and supervised clinical experience.Marriage and Family Therapy
Marriage and family therapists provide therapeutic treatment to individuals, couples, and family groups. They help families understand and manage psychological disorders and address and work through challenges and issues. Marriage and family therapists need licensure in every state, which requires a master’s degree at minimum and supervised clinical experience.Clinical Management and Leadership
This specialty explores the business side of clinical psychology, such as organizational behavior, leadership strategies, and facilities management. You can apply this training and expertise to running your own clinic or offering consulting and coaching for others. Clinical managers don’t typically need licensure, but some organizations may prefer professionals with field experience.
How Much Can I Make With a Clinical Psychology Master’s Degree?
Your salary potential with a clinical psychology master’s degree depends on your license, role, location, employer, and experience, among other factors.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary is $58,510 for marriage and family therapists and $53,710 for mental health counselors. The top 10% of earners in these fields made more than $104,710 and $89,920, respectively.
Both fields have strong employment outlooks, with the BLS projecting 16% growth for marriage and family therapists and 19% for mental health counselors between 2023 and 2033.
What to Look for in a Clinical Psychology Master’s Program
Choosing the right clinical psychology master’s program requires evaluating several important factors, such as the program’s reputation, faculty, and cost.
Program Curriculum
The program’s courses and specializations significantly influence the skills and expertise you develop, as well as the licenses available to you. Seek out a program that covers the material that interests you most and meets the requirements for state licensure in your field.
Accreditation
In clinical psychology, both institutional and programmatic accreditation can impact you. Schools typically require institutional accreditation to offer federal financial aid and transfer credits. Depending on your state, your clinical psychology master’s program may require programmatic accreditation to lead to licensure. All the programs on this list hold accreditation.
Program Length
Consider how long you’ll need for the degree and if you can shave off some time with accelerated pathways, heavier course loads, or transfer credits. You should also explore the scheduling requirements, such as class times, delivery modes, and full-time vs. part-time schedules.
Clinical Experience or Practicum or Field Placement
Every master’s in clinical psychology program features an in-person practicum, but you might compare the intensity of these requirements, the available sites, and the support provided. Some practicums meet at least once per week, while others dedicate a chunk of time each year. Your program and state licensing requirements dictate the number of required practicum hours.
What Can I Expect From a Clinical Psychology Graduate Program
Your experience in a master’s in clinical psychology program can differ dramatically between schools. While these programs take about two years to complete with full-time study, many schools offer part-time or accelerated options. Most feature an evidence-based curriculum, with sections dedicated to core psychology theory, interventions, assessments, and professional ethics.
Depending on your school, you may have only one track available or several specializations such as addictions and recovery, clinical counseling, or child psychology. Some programs meet the requirements for state licensure, whereas others prepare you for a doctorate. Some schools even give you the choice between a pre-licensure track or a research/thesis track.
Practicum requirements vary, but programs may include a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. Some schools connect you with partnered mental health services organizations for these hours, some host the experiences at an affiliated community clinic, and others leave it up to you to find your placement.
What Are the Admission Requirements for Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs?
The admission requirements vary between programs, depending on how open or competitive they are. In all cases, you need a bachelor’s degree at minimum. Below, you can find some of the requirements you may need.
Admission Materials
Along with official transcripts, your application may require letters of recommendation, criminal background checks, and GRE scores. You may need to submit an admission essay, personal statement, or a video statement. In most cases, there’s an application fee between $50-$75.Education
Some programs on this list accept any bachelor’s degree, while others require a psychology-related degree or a minimum of 15 psychology credits. You may also need specific prerequisite courses, such as intro to psychotherapy or a statistics course. Whatever the requirements, you’ll need to submit your transcripts as proof.GPA
Most programs on this list do not have a minimum GPA, but you may encounter a minimum 3.0 GPA.
How Much Does a Clinical Psychology Master’s Degree Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average graduate program cost $20,513 in 2021-2022, or just over $41,000 for a two-year program. Tuition depends on school type and location, program length and credit cost, which can fluctuate greatly.
For example, the per-credit prices for the above programs range between $370 and $2,049, and total tuition prices fall between $13,000 and about $80,000. On top of tuition, you may pay for room and board, books and materials, and student fees.
Consider filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine your eligibility for federal loans, scholarships, and grants. You can also apply for psychology scholarships at your school.
Everything Else You Need to Know About Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs
An online master’s in clinical psychology leads to the same credentials and opportunities as campus programs. While you can complete many of the courses online, you must complete the clinical experience portion in person.
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