Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology programs teach students about the theory and practice of psychology. Here are the best clinical psychology graduate programs.
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Published August 14, 2024

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Key Takeaways

  • Boston University, Brigham Young University, and Columbia University in the City of New York make up the top online clinical psychology graduate programs.
  • Application requirements include transcripts, references, a resume, an essay, and GRE scores for some schools.
  • Median costs were $10,040 for master’s and $13,440 for doctoral programs in 2023, with financial aid and part-time study options available.

As psychology degrees grow in demand and popularity, the country’s graduate schools for clinical psychology look for ways to make the programs more accessible and accommodating. This has led to an explosion of new psychology degrees, program options and specializations, and delivery methods.

While this growth ensures more students find what they’re looking for, it also makes the decision process more difficult. Thankfully, you’ll find help in this guide. Read on to discover what factors you should consider and things to look for when searching, along with how you should go about applying.

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Online Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

Boston University

  • Boston, MA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

15%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

14%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$58,560

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$58,560

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

36,718

Institution Type

Private

Brigham Young University

  • Provo, UT
  • 4 year
  • Campus

37%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

67%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,700

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

34,454

Institution Type

Private

Columbia University in the City of New York

  • New York, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

23%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

4%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$50,496

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,016

Retention Rate

98%

Students Enrolled

32,543

Institution Type

Private

Harvard University

  • Cambridge, MA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

38%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

3%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$50,928

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,456

Retention Rate

98%

Students Enrolled

21,609

Institution Type

Private

New York University

  • New York, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

45%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

13%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$35,982

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,982

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

58,226

Institution Type

Private

Northwestern University

  • Evanston, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

7%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

7%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$56,067

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,067

Retention Rate

99%

Students Enrolled

23,409

Institution Type

Private

San Diego State University

  • San Diego, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

64%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

39%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,140

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

36,591

Institution Type

Public

University of California-San Diego

  • La Jolla, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus

53%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

24%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,802

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

41,048

Institution Type

Public

University of Central Florida

  • Orlando, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

9%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

41%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,916

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,759

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

68,010

Institution Type

Public

University of Virginia-Main Campus

  • Charlottesville, VA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

24%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

21%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,674

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,606

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

26,005

Institution Type

Public

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How We Rank Schools

What to Look for in a Clinical Psychology Graduate Degree

The right master’s in clinical psychology or doctorate in clinical psychology for you depends on your preferred specialty and goals, as well as finances, academic background, and whether you want a hybrid, on-campus, or online program. Consider these factors when weighing options for a clinical psychology graduate degree.

Primary Factors to Consider

  • chevron-right

    Accreditation

    Accreditation is so important to your goals that this page only lists accredited programs. Your clinical psychology graduate degree must be from an accredited program for licensed psychology careers, and most employers will not even consider graduates from an unaccredited program.

    If you want to check a program’s status, the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation both offer searchable directories of accredited clinical psychology master’s and doctoral programs.

    The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits in-person doctoral programs only.

  • chevron-right

    Admission Requirements

    Before applying to a clinical psychology graduate degree, review the admission requirements. These not only tell you how likely you are to be admitted, but what the school values.

    If you do not match all the criteria exactly, talk to an admissions counselor, since you may have other qualifications that might override a borderline GPA.

  • chevron-right

    Cost and Financial Aid

    Even with financial aid, a clinical psychology graduate degree is a major investment of time and money. In addition to tuition and fees, consider factors, such as travel to clinicals, whether you can work while studying, and what kinds of loans, scholarships, and grants you may qualify for.

    You may be eligible for loan forgiveness if you work in an underserved area after you graduate, through programs like the National Health Service Corps.

  • chevron-right

    Hybrid and Online Options

    In addition to the traditional on-campus program, some clinical psychology master’s programs are available in hybrid or online formats. These options give you more flexibility, but it may be more difficult to network and have discussions in these formats.

    You must complete your clinical fieldwork in person, and some online graduate degrees in clinical psychology have certain on-campus requirements. Hybrid programs vary in the proportion of online to on-campus classes, but you may be able to finish between one-third to two-thirds of your classes online.

  • chevron-right

    Practical Experience Requirements

    Practicums and internships are vital components of graduate degrees in clinical psychology. Early in your clinical psychology master’s program, you will participate in practicums, which include shadowing and direct client contact with supervision by a licensed psychologist. Most practicum training is completed part time in tandem with coursework.

    You will also complete several years of practicum experience and one internship during your doctoral program. Internships are usually completed in the final year of the doctoral program and are typically full-time experiences that last at least one year. During the internship, you will work with clients and conduct psychological assessments under supervision.

    In general, clinical psychology graduate programs either arrange for practicum and placement or assist in finding a placement.

How to Apply to a Graduate Degree Program in Clinical Psychology

Once you identify the clinical psychology graduate programs that interest you, get ready to apply. You will need your undergraduate transcript, at least two references, a resume or CV, and an application that includes an essay or personal statement. Some schools may require GSE scores from students below a certain GPA threshold.

If your undergraduate degree is in a field other than psychology, you need to satisfy prerequisites to demonstrate academic readiness for a clinical psychology master’s program. The specifics vary by program.

Popular Online Psychology Doctoral Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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How Much Does a Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology Cost?

The costs of a graduate program in clinical psychology can add up. According to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), the median annual cost for tuition and fees was $10,040 for master’s programs and $13,440 for doctoral programs in 2023. After including personal student expenses, the median annual cost increases to $26,580 for master’s students and $34,580 for doctoral students.

While the costs can be burdensome, you have options to make your education more affordable. For example, you may be able to study part time, asynchronously online, or during evenings and weekends, which could help you maintain employment. You also have financial aid options, such as federal loans and grants and scholarships for psychology students.

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology

To become a clinical psychologist, you need a Psy.D. or a Ph.D. in psychology. In some states, you may earn licensure as an industrial-organizational psychologist or school psychologist with a master’s degree.

Page last reviewed on March 30, 2024. This page’s information — not including school descriptions — was reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Psychology.org.