Best Master’s in Clinical, Applied, and Counseling Psychology Programs of 2024
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Reviewer & Writer
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Reviewer & Writer
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Curious about clinical, applied, and counseling psychology master’s programs? Our ranking breaks down the best programs to advance your psychology career.
With a master’s in clinical, counseling, or applied psychology, you can provide mental health support services as a mental health therapist, clinical counselor, or school counselor. If you want to become a licensed clinical psychologist, these master’s programs qualify you to apply to doctoral programs that will prepare you for licensure.
Popular Online Master's in Clinical, Applied, and Counseling Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Master’s in Clinical, Applied, and Counseling Psychology Programs
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and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Boston University
Boston, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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.
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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.
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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.
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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.
Auburn University
Auburn, AL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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.
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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.
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In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
What Can I Do With a Master's in Clinical, Applied, and Counseling Psychology?
After completing a master's in clinical, applied, and counseling psychology, you can go on to complete doctoral programs so that you can pursue a job as psychologists. You can work in various settings like schools, hospitals, and clinics.
The BLS notes that 28% of psychologists are self-employed. Private-practice psychologists may hire other professionals to assist them in client and administrative work. Psychologists who work in private practice set their own hours. Other psychologists may work nights and weekends to accommodate client schedules.
Still, others find pursuing a field with job growth three percentage points higher than the job growth for all occupations worth their hard work. The BLS projects the need for psychologists to increase by 6% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Job Title | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) |
---|---|
Psychologist | $92,740 |
Substance Use Counselors | $53,710 |
Marriage and Family Therapist | $58,510 |
Rehabilitation Counselor | $44,040 |
Social Worker | $58,380 |
Social and Community Service Manager | $77,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical, Applied, and Counseling Psychology Programs
Is a master's in clinical, applied, and counseling psychology worth it?
Each professional has different standards for whether their master's in clinical, applied, and counseling psychology is worth it. For some clinical psychologists, salary is the most important factor. According to the BLS, clinical, counseling, and school psychologists earned a median annual wage of $92,740 in May 2023.
For other psychologists, enjoying their day-to-day tasks makes this career worthwhile. These professionals get the chance to make a positive, lasting impact on the lives of others. They possess the knowledge to diagnose disorders and design treatment plans.
What continuing education is available for clinical, applied, and counseling psychology graduates?
After completing a master’s in psychology, graduates can pursue their doctorate in clinical, counseling, or applied psychology. You’ll need a doctorate in psychology to become a licensed psychologist in most states.
Most states require continuing education credits for licensure renewal. The American Psychological Association offers continuing education. Professionals can choose from topics like addiction, aging, gender and sexuality, and health disparities. Many continuing education courses take place online, but some employers may coordinate in-person continuing education opportunities.
How much money can I make with a master's in clinical, applied, and counseling psychology?
The earning potential for clinical psychologists varies depending on your location, years of experience, and employer type. On average, graduates of a master's in clinical, applied, and counseling psychology programs earn annual salaries between $59,000-$61,000.
With a master of arts in clinical psychology, professionals report an average salary of $60,000 per year based on Payscale data. Those with a master of science in clinical psychology earn an average of $69,000 based on 2024 data. Professionals with a master’s degree in counseling psychology earn an average of $61,000 per year.
What are the highest-paying jobs with a master's in clinical, applied, and counseling psychology?
The highest-paying role with a master’s in clinical, applied, and counseling psychology is board-certified behavior analyst. These professionals earn a median pay of $72,000, according to April 2024 data from Payscale.
Graduates with master’s degrees in clinical, applied, and counseling psychology make the most money in private practice. Counselors with their own practice can choose how much to charge their clients and can earn about $100 to $150 per hour.
You can boost your earning potential with a doctorate, skills in program management and team leadership, and five or more years of experience.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed January 19, 2024.