7 Best Master’s Degrees in Clinical Psychology

Multiple researchers have reported positive effects of Clinical psychology on people with mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. Many of their patients may have serious illnesses. Clinical psychologists can provide psychotherapeutic services to diagnose and treat problems.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that there are roughly 192,300 psychologists employed in the country. According to BLS estimates, between 2019 and ‘29, there might be a rise of approximately 5,700 jobs or about 3%.

Candidates require a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology to become licensed Clinical psychologists. The theoretical information and practical abilities necessary to become a psychologist are provided to students who complete a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. These degrees usually take two years, while different programs have variable durations.

Check out the best Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology below if a career in Clinical Psychology interests you.

Here are some factors we have considered for selecting the best Master’s degree programs in Clinical Psychology.

• Institute’s prestige
• Comprehension of the topics covered
• Affiliation with education and medical bodies

After careful consideration and focus on tuition fees, graduation rate, and student-to-faculty ratio, here are our top selected MS degree programs in Clinical Psychology.

1. Clinical Psychology Program by Harvard University

As one of those institutions that “requires no introduction,” Harvard has been recognized as one of the best colleges in the world since its founding in 1636. It is ranked No. 2 among national universities by U.S. News and World Report and No. 3 for graduate Psychology programs.

The master’s in the Psychology program at Harvard, a combination of online and on-campus study, is surprisingly affordable given the institution’s prestige. How affable are you? It is substantially less expensive than the average item on our list at $17,030.

There is no need for you to apply (at first). You enroll in and complete three graduate-level courses in:

• Statistics
• Psychology
• Writing in the Social Sciences
• Introduction to Graduate Studies

Once you finish all of them with a B or above and a cumulative 3.0, apply to one of the best master’s programs in Psychology in the United States.

The master of liberal arts in Psychology at Harvard is composed of 12 courses totaling 48 credits; however, the electives allow for customization of the concentration. Either a thesis or capstone track is your choice.

While many courses can be taken online, the university requires that at least four (12 credits) be taken on the Cambridge, Massachusetts campus. Various selections are available in the course catalog, ranging from more particular (Dopamine) to more generic (Introduction to Psychopharmacology).

2. Pepperdine University’s Clinical Psychology Master’s Program

Graduates of Pepperdine’s online master’s degree program in Clinical Psychology are prepared to practice as licensed professional counselors (LPCs) or licensed marital and family therapists (LMFTs).

The 27-month master’s in Clinical Psychology program has 62 credits. Substance addiction therapy, ethnic counseling, and socioeconomically framed Psychology are all included in core courses.

The LPC program gives degree candidates the knowledge and abilities required to identify and treat various mental health conditions. The LMFT concentration area, in contrast, trains students to deal with problems arising from family dynamics, such as marriage and parent-child interactions.

The program is designed for online learning and includes synchronous, interactive course components. Students attend live classrooms to participate in discussions and listen to lecturers in real time.

Prospective students should hold a bachelor’s degree from an approved university. Pepperdine does not request candidates’ GRE scores or a history of majoring in Psychology.

3. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program by LeTourneau University

66 online education credits make up LETU’s master of arts in Clinical mental health counseling.

A combination of core courses, elective courses, a practicum, and two internships are required for the curriculum—candidates for degrees complete 100 hours of practicum and 300 hours of internship.

Family evaluation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and human sexuality and sex therapy are some examples of specialization courses. In addition, students are taught how to perform intake interviews and treatment plans in a compulsory lab course.

Four Clinical theology courses from the Christian-affiliated university are also required as part of this curriculum, including integrative theology for counselors, trauma, and theology in the developmental environment.

According to LETU, graduates have a 95% National Counseling Exam pass rate and a 93% employment rate in the counseling field.

If interested candidates hold a bachelor’s degree and have completed at least 12 hours of Psychology curriculum at the undergraduate level, they may apply to this Clinical Psychology master’s program. Additionally, they need to have a minimum college GPA of 2.5.

4. Master’s in Psychology by Regent University

With two residencies lasting a week each, Regent’s online MA in Clinical mental health counseling is available from its Virginia Beach location.

The 60-credit program’s core courses, one practicum, and one internship are all included. Courses that are needed include:

Treatments for addiction for both individuals and families

• Diagnosis for psychopathy
• Christian doctrine and counseling

Students may enroll in classes, take advantage of networking and mentorship opportunities, and get to know their classmates and teachers – thanks to the two on-campus residences.

Candidates for the MA degree may enroll either full-time or part-time. Many students choose a three-year progression because it allows them to work while earning their degree.

A CV, official MAT or GRE results, and a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA are required for admission. Regent encourages candidates with degrees in Psychology, counseling, or a closely related field but also considers other degree types. Additionally, applicants must take part in an admissions interview.

5. Southern New Hampshire University’s Masters in Psychology Program

SNHU offers an online MA in counseling program for students interested in pursuing careers as Clinical mental health counselors. Except for Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin, the degree qualifies its holders for licensing in most states.

The program comprises 60 academic credits, including two 5-day residencies, an internship, and a practicum. The on-campus residencies allow remote students to hone their counseling abilities in a hands-on, intense learning setting.

Human development, counseling theories, and individual and group client assessment are all included in the core courses. Many specialties are available to those pursuing degrees, including:

• Families
• Families and psychopharmacology
• Families and psychopathology
• Psychopathology
• Families and sexuality
• Human sexuality
• Psychopharmacology

Candidates for the MA degree may additionally do a different internship, the number of which will depend on the state’s licensing requirements.

Candidates for this Clinical Psychology master’s program should include their undergraduate transcripts, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation with their application. SNHU specifies neither a minimum GPA nor required exam results.

6. Masters of Science in Psychology by Kansas State University

K State is more specialized than other schools that provide a generic Master’s in Psychology that offers a broad educational basis for employment or other academic interests.

Industrial and Organizational Psychology (abbreviated MIOP) is emphasized in its Master of Scientific in Psychology program. The curriculum emphasizes applying principles and behavioral science approaches to challenges facing the human resource professional today.

The hybrid MIOP program is divided into the following sections:

• Online education
• Directed research
• An internship

Courses are offered for two weeks each summer on campus, including basic classes in research methodologies, ethics, and organizational/industrial Psychology. The four online courses rotate every two years and include topics like:

• Personnel Picking
• Performance Evaluation
• Industrial Psychology
• Personnel Development

During this master’s program, students do the practicum (Research in I/O Psychology) in the fall and spring.

It takes around 2.5 years to get the 38 credits required for graduation. Additionally, it costs around $22,000 each academic year, which is virtually precisely the median cost of the Psychology master’s programs on our list.

7. Master’s in Psychology Program by National Louis University

In 1886, National Louis University was founded in Chicago with the rather unconventional goal of training women to teach kindergarten.

In 1982, Psychology entered the educational arena. NLU thinks a master’s in Psychology may be helpful in various fields, including business, teaching, and therapy, in contrast to other schools that view it as a stepping stone to a Ph.D. In this curriculum, students select one of four concentrations:

• Broader Psychology
• Public Psychology
• Psychological evaluation
• Instruction in Psychology

A comprehensive exam or a thesis is required to complete the 36-credit hour Psychology master’s degree. Though each focus offers particular courses, all of them include:

• Gateway courses lasting six hours
• Essential classes for 15 hours
• Three elective hours
• A three-hour capstone (either the thesis or exam)
• 9 credits are added by the focus courses

The online and Chicago campus options for NLU’s degree cost $12,096, which is much less than the average cost for our top 20 schools.

How to Apply To a Master’s Program in Clinical Psychology?

The master’s Psychology programs offered by universities differ significantly. Some people consider a master’s degree the first step toward a PhD. Some universities offer it as a final degree.

Some graduate schools demand that students select a psychological focus. This means that the application criteria depend on the specific Psychology master’s program’s specialization.

A Psychology undergraduate degree may be necessary for several graduate programs. Even those that don’t will often require some Psychology education at the undergraduate level; however, they may also include foundational courses in their program.

Generally speaking, the application procedure includes taking the GRE, obtaining letters of reference, and writing a personal statement. Although several of the finest master’s programs listed here also provide part-time alternatives, and others are offered online, many are full-time. In addition, nearly all demand practicums or internships to get practical experience.