Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology

Boston University's master of arts in psychology allows students to explore their interests in professional psychology and prepare for doctoral studies. The master's-level program does not qualify graduates for clinical licensure or practice.

The full-time campus-based degree, based on a scientific methodologies foundation, requires 36 credits. The curriculum emphasizes the areas of the brain, behavior, and cognition; clinical psychology; and developmental science. Enrollees participate in directed study and complete research projects. 

The department does not require applicants to have undergraduate psychology degrees but strongly recommends courses in research methods, statistics, and psychology content areas.

The Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, has maintained continuous accreditation by the American Psychological Association for over 50 years. The practitioner-oriented curriculum offers optional areas of study in clinical child, adolescent, and family psychology; clinical neuropsychology; and clinical health psychology. 

As part of the five-year program, students complete a master of science during the second year of study. In the final year, Ph.D. candidates finish their dissertation and internship requirements. Though the university is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it does not limit admission to members of this faith. However, the application review process is selective, admitting only 7-8 students per year.

The Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University has held uninterrupted accreditation by the American Psychological Association since 1948. Based on a scientist-practitioner model, the 95-credit degree integrates rigorous training in contemporary clinical science and assessment. Most of the coursework and clinical experiences proceed from a broad-based psychodynamic orientation emphasizing a relational perspective.

Admission to the Ph.D. requires a bachelor's degree, GRE general test scores, and ten courses in statistics and psychology content areas, including at least one class with a laboratory component. Admitted students qualify for financial assistance to cover tuition for the first three years and stipends in the fourth year. 

Harvard University's Ph.D. in clinical psychology offers a research-focused curriculum that emphasizes severe psychopathology. This program holds accreditation from the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System and the American Psychological Association.

The psychology department employs a holistic approach to admissions. GRE scores are optional but recommended. Applicants with bachelor's degrees in other fields should take basic psychology courses to gain research experience.

Students accepted into the program receive financial support through tuition stipends, teaching fellowships, and research grants, beginning in their first year through years four and five, as needed.

New York University's master of arts in psychology provides an informal clinical psychology focus area for students preparing for doctoral study in clinical or counseling psychology. While this focus area does not include opportunities for supervised clinical practice experiences or lead to clinical licensure at the master's level, most graduates continue to doctoral studies in clinical Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs.

The MA in psychology is a campus-based program that offers mostly evening classes to accommodate working students. The 36-credit degree comprises 12 courses, including statistics and research methods. The curriculum also covers three core psychology courses, seven electives, and a thesis or comprehensive exam.

The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Northwestern University uses a scientist-practitioner model to prepare students for psychology careers and research roles in academic medical centers and other healthcare settings. This full-time, in-person program offers all classes and labs at Northwestern's downtown Chicago campus. Each student works closely with a faculty mentor throughout the program, which typically takes five or six years to complete.

This selective program admits up to seven new learners each year. Most students admitted to the Ph.D. program have acquired at least one year of post-baccalaureate research experience — very few students enter the program directly after earning their undergraduate degrees.

The Ph.D. in clinical psychology at San Diego State University, offered jointly with the University of California San Diego, admits students with bachelor's degrees in psychology or related fields — so long as they have GPAs of at least 3.0. Although a psychology major is not required for admission, successful applicants must have strong backgrounds in upper-division psychology coursework. 

This full-time, in-person program offers specializations in behavioral medicine, experimental psychology, and neuropsychology. Students complete core coursework in the first two years and specialized courses to earn their master's during the third year. Fourth-year students conduct dissertation research. In the fifth and sixth years, Ph.D. candidates defend their dissertations and complete full-time clinical internships.

The Ph.D. in clinical psychology, administered jointly by the University of California San Diego and San Diego State University, integrates research and practice throughout its five-year curriculum. Accredited by the American Psychological Association, the Ph.D. offers concentrations in behavioral medicine, neuropsychology, and experimental psychopathology.

With four or five years of intensive research experience working with a faculty mentor, the admission process evaluates how well each applicant's research background and interests align with their intended faculty mentors.

Each applicant must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The doctoral program does not consider GRE scores.

The master of arts in clinical psychology at the University of Central Florida is an in-person, full-time program available at the school's Sanford/Lake Mary campus.

The program offers two tracks. The applied pre-licensure/non-thesis path, which admits a cohort of 15-16 learners each year, requires 61 credits. This track prepares graduates to become licensed mental health counselors in Florida. The 38-credit research/thesis track admits up to six students each year and prepares them to pursue careers in research or doctoral studies in clinical psychology.

The MA program requires a bachelor's degree with an overall 3.0 GPA. A psychology degree is strongly recommended but not required for admission. Applicants must submit GRE scores. Most admitted students have a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 295.

University of Virginia's Ph.D. in clinical psychology integrates training in clinical and school psychology based on the scientist-practitioner model. As one of only 14 combined clinical and school psychology programs accredited by the American Psychological Association, the degree prepares graduates for licensure/certification in clinical psychology alone or in combination with school psychology. This program has also received full approval as a doctoral-level school psychology program by the National Association of School Psychologists. 

This full-time, in-person program takes five years to complete, including a one-year internship. Students who maintain satisfactory academic advancement receive financial support, including tuition, medical insurance, and an additional $20,000 stipend throughout their four-year residency. For the fifth year, the program provides financial support for enrollees completing APA-approved internships.