2025’s Top Clinical Psychology Master’s Programs
Thinking about a career in psychology? Explore our ranking of top clinical psychology master’s programs.
A master’s in clinical psychology can pave the way to a career helping others. This guide ranks the top master’s degree programs and provides tips on selecting the right degree for your career goals. Learn about accreditation, admission requirements, program format, and tuition costs.
Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
New York University offers a master's in psychology with a clinical psychology focus. The clinical focus area prepares graduates for doctoral study or positions in clinical psychology labs or human services. We like that students have opportunities to conduct research and that outcome data shows that most graduates enter Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs.
Coursework covers normal and abnormal psychology, biological and social factors influencing psychological disorders, psychological testing, and treatment approaches. The 36-credit program culminates with a thesis or written comprehensive exam.
Highlights:
- Most classes offered in the evening
- More than 16 electives to choose from
- Full or part-time enrollment options
Considerations:
- No supervised clinical practice hours
- Does not lead to master's-level licensure
- No online study options
31%
$37,332
96%
$37,332
- Acceptance Rate
- 9%
- Students Enrolled
- 57,335
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
The master's in clinical psychology at the University of Central Florida is a full-time, terminal master's program offered at the school's Sanford/Lake Mary campus. We like the program's choice of two tracks: an applied pre-licensure non-thesis track and a research/thesis track.
The applied pre-licensure, non-thesis track trains students to deliver clinical psychology services in community agencies or private practice. After completing two years of postgraduate supervised training, program graduates can apply to become licensed mental health counselors in Florida. The research/thesis track prepares enrollees for doctoral study and clinical research. This track does not qualify graduates for licensure.
Highlights:
- Pre-licensure, non-thesis track is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)
- Classes scheduled two days a week to allow for practicums/internships
- Over 95% graduation rate in the past five years
Considerations:
- No part-time or online study options
- Admission requires GRE General Test scores
- Students are discouraged from working while enrolled
9%
$ 6,916
92%
$25,759
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Students Enrolled
- 68,842
- Institution Type
- Public
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
Northwestern offers the master's in clinical psychology program at its Feinberg School of Medicine. The curriculum prepares students to become licensed professional counselors and clinical professional counselors in Illinois. We like this program's focus on science-based mental health care delivery for couples, individuals, families, and groups.
The two-year, full-time program includes practicums and internships, along with coursework in family therapy and systems theory, individual and cultural diversity, lifespan development psychology, and transdiagnostic psychotherapy. All students join a research lab for two or more quarters and take a clinical competency exam.
Highlights:
- Rolling admissions until the cohort is full
- No GRE scores required
- All students receive a 45% tuition scholarship
Considerations:
- No transfer credits accepted
- No part-time or online study options
- Program accreditation application in process
12%
$51,869
97%
$51,869
- Acceptance Rate
- 7%
- Students Enrolled
- 22,801
- Institution Type
- Private
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
DePaul University’s clinical psychology program culminates in dual master's and Ph.D. degrees. We like that the program provides training in both research and practice and has two tracks: clinical-child and clinical-community. The curriculum emphasizes understanding the forces contributing to unequal access to mental health services among ethnically diverse, economically disadvantaged, and urban populations.
The master's program requires 76 quarter credits, and the Ph.D. requires 16 quarter credits. In addition to coursework, students complete practicums, a master's thesis, a doctoral candidacy exam, a doctoral internship, and a dissertation.
Highlights:
- All entering students receive full-tuition waivers and stipends
- Choice of five or six-year timelines
- Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)
Considerations:
- No online study options
- Highly competitive admission process
- Rigorous curriculum
60%
$21,719
87%
$21,719
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Students Enrolled
- 21,348
- Institution Type
- Private
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Edinburg, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
The master's in clinical psychology at the University of Texas Rio Grande offers graduates career flexibility. Graduates can become licensed professional associates or licensed professional counselors or continue their education in a psychology doctorate program. The 60-credit curriculum includes thesis and non-thesis tracks to accommodate different student goals.
We like that the 36 hours of required courses include clinical practicums and an internship. License preparation requires 18 additional credits. Non-thesis track students complete six more hours of coursework and a written comprehensive exam, and the thesis track requires six hours of research and writing.
Highlights:
- No GRE scores required for admission
- Scholarships available for eligible new students pursuing first master's degree
- Career opportunities in the Texas border/Rio Grande Valley area
Considerations:
- No online study options
- Limited research and teaching assistantships
68%
$ 7,002
76%
$14,562
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Students Enrolled
- 31,559
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Houston-Clear Lake
- Houston, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
UHCL offers a master's in clinical psychology with applied practice opportunities at the school's onsite psychology clinic. Students complete a two-semester practicum at the clinic, which serves clients in the greater Houston area. The program also helps enrollees find and secure a 500-hour internship at off-campus sites.
We like the program's focus on psychological assessment and intervention that prepares graduates to become licensed professional counselors or licensed psychological associates. The 63-credit curriculum includes on-campus coursework covering core topics and assessment and therapy requirements. Full-time learners can finish the program in seven semesters.
Highlights:
- 100% graduation and licensure rate
- GRE optional for 2025-26
- 15+ sociocultural, counseling, and therapy electives
Considerations:
- Competitive admissions
- No online study options
50%
$ 7,920
75%
$17,316
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,876
- Institution Type
- Public
California State University-San Bernardino
- San Bernardino, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
CSUSB offers a master's in clinical/counseling psychology. We like the program's focus on providing practical skills through supervised training and experience, along with licensure-focused coursework. Students can complete the full-time, on-campus program in two years, including a culminating thesis or comprehensive exam.
Applicants do not need a bachelor's degree in psychology but must hold a bachelor's with a satisfactory preparatory curriculum. The 60-68 master's curriculum includes coursework in community and public mental health, multicultural counseling, family processes, and community disaster, trauma, and resilience. The thesis option requires an additional course in the analysis of variance or regression and nonparametric statistics.
Highlights:
- Graduates qualify for California marriage and family therapist licensure
- No GRE scores required
- One of the more affordable programs on this list
Considerations:
- No evening or online classes
- No part-time study option
72%
$ 7,176
78%
$16,680
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Students Enrolled
- 18,510
- Institution Type
- Public
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Columbia, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
The MA in psychology at the University of South Carolina is offered exclusively to students concurrently enrolled in the psychology Ph.D. program. We like that the MA program formalizes course and research requirements for Ph.D. students in their first years of study without increasing the total number of credits required to complete the Ph.D.
USC's clinical-community psychology concentration requires 57 credits, including 13 credits of practicum courses. The program emphasizes high-quality, federally funded research, prevention science, community-based research, and diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Students can receive funding support through graduate teaching and research assistantships.
Highlights:
- American Psychological Association (APA) programmatic accreditation
- 100% student internship placement rate for APA-certified facilities
- Hands-on training at on-campus research facilities
Considerations:
- Just 6-8 Ph.D. students admitted out of 200+ applications
- Admittees typically hold 3.4-4.0 undergraduate GPAs
- No online study options
61%
$13,374
91%
$29,760
- Acceptance Rate
- 61%
- Students Enrolled
- 36,579
- Institution Type
- Public
Murray State University
- Murray, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
Kentucky's Murray State University trains clinical psychologists at the master's level. We like that the curriculum includes a yearlong clinical practicum that gives students real-world experience in the psychological assessment and treatment of adults, children, and families. Graduates qualify for certification to practice psychology as a licensed mental health professional.
The curriculum emphasizes cognitive-behavioral techniques. Coursework covers couples and family therapy, intellectual and personality assessment, and psychotherapy for individual adults and children. Instruction also includes psychodiagnostics and teaches administration of intelligence and personality tests. Enrollees receive hands-on training in the department's Psychology Center and work with faculty on research projects.
Highlights:
- Holds Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council accreditation
- One-to-one supervision by licensed psychologists in the department
- Offers graduate assistantships
Considerations:
- No online study options
- Both master's thesis and comprehensive exam required
49%
$9,144
76%
$9,144
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,857
- Institution Type
- Public
Ball State University
- Muncie, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
Ball State University's master's in clinical psychology prepares students for future doctoral study or research-focused careers. The 36-credit program trains students using a clinical science model and emphasizes flexibility. Students may pursue a double master's or certificate in quantitative psychology, counseling, or related fields of interest.
We like that the program's small class sizes ensure students receive opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects. Faculty areas of research are diverse, including moral attitudes, gambling, work-family conflict and balance, information processing and goals, and diversity and ethnic minority issues.
Highlights:
- GRE scores not required
- Small class sizes
- Graduate assistantships available
Considerations:
- Competitive admission (10-12 students admitted annually)
- Does not lead to licensure at the master's level
- Undergraduate courses in experimental design, research methodology, and statistics required
59%
$ 9,884
77%
$21,222
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Students Enrolled
- 20,440
- Institution Type
- Public
How To Choose a Clinical Psychology Master’s Program
Consider several factors as you explore clinical psychology master’s programs. Your career aspirations will help determine your education and training needs. Other factors to consider include admission requirements, program format, and the cost of your education.
Accreditation
The top clinical psychology master’s programs hold programmatic accreditation from the Master’s in Psychology Accreditation Council, the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation, or equivalent. Choosing a degree with specialized accreditation ensures your education meets current best practices and adequately prepares you for a doctoral degree, clinical licensure, and the workforce.
Admission Requirements
Every application you submit takes time and costs money, so take a closer look at each program’s admission requirements to help narrow down your options. Consider factors including minimum GPA, test score requirements, and letters of recommendation. Consider when you want to begin classes and look for programs with corresponding admission deadlines and start dates.
Career Relevance
If you plan to pursue counseling licensure following graduation, make sure the clinical psychology master’s program you choose includes the coursework and clinical hours required for your desired career.
If you plan to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, all states require a license and doctorate in clinical psychology. Make sure the master’s program you select adequately prepares you for doctoral study.
Flexibility
Choose a program format that is right for you. Psychology departments offer master’s programs on campus, online, and/or in hybrid format. You may also want to pursue a degree with classes offered during the day or in the evenings, depending on your schedule. Part-time and full-time enrollment options add additional flexibility.
Cost and Financial Aid
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate tuition and fees were $20,513 on average for the 2021-22 academic year. The majority of students may need help paying for their education. First fill out the Free Application For Financial Student Aid. Submitting this form helps you qualify for financial aid such as federal loans, grants, and work-study.
While you research clinical psychology master’s programs, also explore what financial aid is available. Colleges and psychology departments often list institutional aid that can help pay for your degree.
How To Apply to a Clinical Psychology Master’s Program
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a closely related field. Some programs may have no preference for undergraduate majors. Many programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA. Make sure your qualifications match admission requirements.
- Step 1: Fill Out the Application
Follow the admission department’s guidelines for filling out the application. Make sure to include all of your supporting documents, like a resume, CV, or personal statement, and upload them online as requested.
- Step 2: Official Transcripts
Some schools will accept unofficial transcripts during the initial admissions review. Applicants send these academic records electronically or by mail. You will eventually need to have official transcripts sent directly from the undergraduate college to the designated graduate school.
- Step 3: Letters of Recommendation
Most programs require at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic or professional competencies. Typical recommenders include professors, academic advisors, and work supervisors. Many schools have online recommendation forms that each recommender fills out and sends directly to the institution.
- Step 4: GRE scores
Many graduate schools no longer require the Graduate Record Examination or similar standardized test scores unless your undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0. Follow the directives of each institution on whether you need the test and how to submit the results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Clinical Psychologist
A master’s in clinical psychology can be worth the time and expense if you are passionate about helping others and interested in entering a high demand profession. Master’s program graduates can pursue careers as licensed counselors or progress to doctoral studies and earn clinical psychologist licensure.
