Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology
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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.
Online Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology
Boston University
Boston, MA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$58,560
- Out-of-state$58,560
- In-State$58,560
- Out-of-state$58,560
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate14%
- Students Enrolled36,718
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Brigham Young University
- Provo, UT
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$6,120
- Out-of-state$6,120
- In-State$7,700
- Out-of-state$7,700
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled34,454
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
Columbia University in the City of New York
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$59,450
- Out-of-state$59,450
- In-State$50,496
- Out-of-state$52,016
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate4%
- Students Enrolled32,543
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
Harvard University
- Cambridge, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$51,143
- Out-of-state$51,143
- In-State$50,928
- Out-of-state$52,456
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate3%
- Students Enrolled21,609
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- 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
San Diego State University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$19,140
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate39%
- Students Enrolled36,591
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
University of California-San Diego
- La Jolla, CA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$12,570
- Out-of-state$42,324
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$26,802
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate24%
- Students Enrolled41,048
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- 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 Enrolled68,010
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
University of Virginia-Main Campus
- Charlottesville, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$16,547
- Out-of-state$50,518
- In-State$17,674
- Out-of-state$29,606
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate21%
- Students Enrolled26,005
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment24%
- AccreditationYes
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
