Key Takeaways
A master's in clinical psychology can prepare you for mental health careers with average salaries above $60,000, including behavioral health specialist and licensed professional counselor roles.
A master's alone does not qualify you for clinical psychologist licensure, which requires a doctorate, but some programs can prepare you for master's-level counseling licensure.
Online and part-time programs offer flexible paths to a master's, while scholarships, grants, and other financial aid can help lower the cost.
Some master's in clinical psychology emphasize research and preparation for Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs, making them useful for students who need additional psychology coursework, research experience, or stronger academic credentials before applying to a doctorate.
Other master's programs include counseling coursework and supervised clinical training that may help graduates qualify for master's-level mental health licensure, such as licensed professional counselor credentials. Discover this degree's admission requirements, relevant careers, and financial aid opportunities.
Master's in Clinical Psychology Program Overview
| Length | 2-3 years, full time |
| Credits | ~36-60 graduate credits |
| Fieldwork | 0-600 supervised hours (varies by focus) |
| Tuition Range | ~$500-$1,500+ per credit |
An online master's in clinical psychology combines virtual coursework with research, a capstone, or supervised fieldwork, depending on the program's focus. Consider attending an in-state public university to save money on your education.
Master's in Clinical Psychology Salary and Job Outlook
A master's in clinical psychology degree can prepare you for doctoral study or workforce entry into mental health careers. As you explore the jobs below, keep in mind that many factors impact your salary potential. Professionals working in large cities with a high cost of living may earn significantly more than their peers living in suburban or rural areas.
As you research careers during your master's in clinical psychology program, work with university career advisors to learn more about the best ways to raise your salary potential.
How to Choose the Right Clinical Psychology Program
Choosing the right clinical psychology program starts with defining your career goals. A master's in clinical psychology may suit career switchers and students who want to strengthen their psychology background before applying to a doctoral program. Some master's programs can also prepare you for master's-level counseling licensure.
A Ph.D. or Psy.D. is the right choice if you ultimately want to become a licensed clinical psychologist. Although doctoral programs typically take longer than master's programs, they provide the advanced clinical training required for psychologist licensure and can also prepare graduates for research, teaching, and other specialized roles.
| Criteria | Master's Degree | Doctoral Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible for APA-CoA Accreditation? | Yes | Yes (excluding fully online programs) |
| Qualifies for Psychologist Licensure? | No | Yes |
| Supervised Fieldwork | 0-600 hours (depending on research or applied focus) | ~2,500-6,000 hours (licensure-track requirements) |
| Flexibility and Scheduling | Flexible options, including online and part time | Primarily in-person with structured clinical training; limited flexibility |
| Average Time to Completion | 2-3 years, full time | 5-7 years, full time |
| Average Annual Tuition and Fees* | $17,220 | $22,299 (varies widely; Ph.D.s often provide funding) |
| Best Fit For | Career switchers; students needing more experience before doctoral study | Those seeking the most direct path to clinical licensure |
*Source: NCES DataLab: 2020 Postsecondary Student Aid Study (Data Adjusted to 2026 Dollars)
Selecting the Right Path
A master's degree does not make a graduate eligible for licensure as a clinical psychologist. If you want to practice clinical psychology professionally, you must earn a doctoral degree. However, if you want to switch careers into clinical psychology, or if you need more experience before you apply to a doctoral program, then a master's degree in clinical psychology may be the right fit for you.
If you want to work directly with clients without committing to doctoral study, you may also want to consider a master's degree in adjacent fields like mental health counseling or social work.
Admission Requirements for a Master's in Clinical Psychology
Typical application requirements include official transcripts, recommendation letters, and a personal statement. You may also need to complete undergraduate prerequisites in general psychology, statistics, and other subjects. Majoring or minoring in psychology as an undergraduate can help you meet this requirement.
Many competitive master's programs use a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA cutoff to attract only the best applicants. Although some schools no longer require GRE scores, good scores may help your application stand out.
Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology Curriculum
Common Coursework
Although universities may offer different specializations or tracks, their master's in clinical psychology programs share a similar core curriculum. Core courses may include:
Professional ethics and law
Research methods
Psychological assessment
Intermediate statistics
Diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders
Theories of counseling and psychotherapy
These courses provide the academic foundation you need to tackle clinical rotations and other fieldwork.
As you compare programs, focus on those offering the electives or specializations that align with your career goals. Contact admission advisors and research program websites to learn more about how academic requirements promote positive graduate outcomes.
Fieldwork, Internship, or Research Requirements
Fieldwork requirements vary widely in clinical psychology master's programs. Non-licensure or doctoral preparation programs, especially fully online options, often include a thesis, capstone, or final research project instead of experiential requirements. Programs with clinical, counseling, or licensure-aligned tracks may require you to complete a practicum, internship, or other supervised placement.
Clinical Psychology Accreditation
The American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation began accrediting master's in psychology programs only in 2024. As a result, many outstanding master's in clinical psychology programs have yet to complete the accreditation process. This situation means current applicants must look beyond programmatic accreditation to find the best degree.
As you compare master's in clinical psychology programs, disregard those lacking institutional accreditation. State licensing boards and employers may not recognize degrees from these schools.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid can significantly lower your cost of attendance. Start by researching psychology scholarships for master's degree-seekers. Don't forget to submit the FAFSA every year, as you may qualify for federal grants.
Focusing on scholarships and grants can reduce your reliance on high-interest student loans. If you need loans, work with a financial aid advisor to choose those with the lowest interest rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you need a doctorate to work as a licensed clinical psychologist. In some cases, a master's in clinical psychology may qualify you to pursue licensed professional counselor credentials, but only if your degree meets state education and training requirements.
