Best Master’s in Clinical, Applied, and Counseling Psychology Programs of 2024

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,994
Out-of-State | $1,994

Credits to Graduate: 32

Boston University's MA in psychology enrolls both psychology majors and students with a limited background in the field. The degree does not prepare students to work as psychologists, but it can provide the foundation for a doctoral program. The one-year MA requires courses such as statistical methods and contemporary trends in psychology. 

Enrollees must also take courses in at least two programmatic knowledge areas: clinical research; developmental science; and brain, behavior, and cognition. Instead of a thesis, participants engage in directed study as they work on a research project with faculty. 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $2,082 (0-6 units)
Out-of-State | $396 for each additional unit

Credits to Graduate: 30

The MA in psychological research at California State University, Long Beach prepares students for the workplace and doctoral programs. The two-year degree covers basic psychology areas like clinical, social, and developmental psychology. All students complete coursework in statistics and graduate research methodology.  

Faculty mentors work with enrollees on research that can result in co-authorships and conference presentations. Students culminate this degree with a research thesis. Graduate assistantships are competitive, but they give students paid work experience. 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $590
Out-of-State | $590

Credits to Graduate: 48-60

Lehigh University offers several master's in counseling psychology programs and a licensure track. Students can choose from the hybrid M.Ed. in international school counseling, or face-to-face M.Ed. in mental health counseling and M.Ed. in school counseling + PA state certification.

All three degrees require a common core of courses such as helping skills, counseling and therapeutic approaches, and assessment and appraisal in counseling. The M.Ed. in mental health counseling and M.Ed. in school counseling each require at least 100 hours of field experience and a two-semester internship of 15-20 hours a week. 

Students finish the school counseling program with a comprehensive portfolio.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,510
Out-of-State | $1,510

Credits to Graduate: 36-48 

Students can complete Pepperdine University's MA in psychology on campus in Irvine, West Los Angeles, or Calabasas. The degree features a convenient evening format and personalized small classes taught by scholar-practitioners.

Core classes cover topics such as personality assessment, theories and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy, and diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. 

Top-ranked among counseling psychology master’s programs, the MAP prepares enrollees for doctoral studies or for behavioral counselor and case manager careers. Degree-seekers can also complete the MA in psychology entirely online in 18 months.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,510
Out-of-State | $2,698

Credits to Graduate: 30-45

Located in Alabama, Auburn University offers a terminal MS in applied behavior analysis (ABA). The degree prepares graduates to provide clinical and educational services to various populations, including children with autism spectrum disorders. Students receive preparation to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Examination.

Required coursework includes clinical psychopharmacology, methods for studying individual behavior, and autism and intellectual disabilities. Participants complete a practicum in applied psychology and applied behavior analysis capstone project. Graduate assistantships may help students cover tuition.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $369
Out-of-State | $1,194

Credits to Graduate: 38-61

The MA in clinical psychology at the University of Central Florida offers research/thesis and applied pre-licensure/non-thesis tracks. Students complete the master's in counseling psychology program at the Sanford/Lake Mary campus.

The research thesis track emphasizes research experience and skills, but enrollees do not receive preparation for the licensed mental health counselor exam.

The applied pre-licensure/non-thesis track prepares practitioners to deliver clinical services. Once students complete this curriculum and two years of supervised clinical experience, they earn eligibility to sit for the licensed mental health counselor exam in Florida.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,072
Out-of-State | $1,072

Credits to Graduate: 60

Loyola University Maryland's MS in clinical professional counseling positions enrollees for professional counselor licensure in Maryland. Students develop expertise in areas such as assessment and appraisal, marriage and family therapy, and advanced counseling and psychotherapy techniques.

Participants develop their practical skills during 600 hours of supervised field experience. The MS program also requires externship training at sites in the Baltimore-Washington area. The program requires full-time attendance for over 28 months on the Baltimore campus.