Top Master's Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

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A master's in clinical psychology can lead to a fulfilling career as a clinical psychologist. This guide goes over the best clinical psychology master's programs in the United States.

Psychology.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

Finding the best master's in clinical psychology depends on your career goals and learning preferences. Discover other important factors to consider, typical application requirements, and some of the top programs.

What to Look For in a Master's Degree Program in Clinical Psychology

The top master's degree program in clinical psychology depends on a mix of factors, such as your career interests, program format, and your background. Other important things to consider are a program's accreditation status, admission requirements, and cost.

Primary Factors to Consider

  • Accreditation

    Accreditation is the single most important factor in determining a program's value. An unaccredited degree may look like a bargain, but it will be a waste of your time and money, as most employers will not even consider a candidate from an unaccredited program. Similarly, most accredited programs will not accept unaccredited transfer credits.

    Master's in psychology programs are accredited by The Master in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) and the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This guide and website only include accredited programs.

  • Admission Requirements

    Admission requirements help you see a school's selectiveness and how likely you are to be accepted. For example, many schools require an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and recommendation letters.

  • Cost and Financial Aid

    Financial aid is a vital consideration, especially if you plan to go on to earn a Ph.D. Along with fees and tuition, consider any necessary travel expenses, books, and whether you can work while studying.

  • Hybrid and Online Options

    You may take some or all of your courses in an online or hybrid format. This means more access to programs across the country, less time spent commuting, and more choice on where to live. However, you need to ensure you can find a local clinical placement for field hour requirements. It can be harder to get to know and network with students and staff in an online program.

The Best Master's Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

#1 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

Northwestern University

  • Evanston, IL
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Northwestern University is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one of the largest and highest-rated hospital systems in the Chicagoland region. It is one of relatively few clinical psychology master's programs based in a school of psychiatry within an academic medical center (AMC). 

The program prepares students for a career in academic clinical psychology. It emphasizes research and theory and does not include clinical training or other fundamentals for clinical practice. Students must complete at least 10 hours per week of research lab experience and a capstone project, such as a grant proposal, authorship of an article in a peer-reviewed journal, or an oral/poster presentation at a conference.

The program is embedded within Northwestern's Ph.D. program, and students participate in lab work and other projects with Ph.D. students. However, the master's program is not a "gateway" to the doctoral program. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$58,227
Out-of-state
$58,227
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$56,067
Out-of-state
$56,067
Retention Rate
97%
Admission Rate
9%
Students Enrolled
22,603
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
1% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#2 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

University of Central Florida

  • Orlando, FL
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

The University of Central Florida's clinical psychology master's program offers two tracks. One is an applied pre-licensure non-thesis track that prepares graduates to meet Florida's licensing requirements for mental health counselors (after supervised postgraduate experience). This option takes two years and includes a practicum and an internship. 

The research/thesis track prepares students for careers in academia or research. The course load is lighter for this track because students spend more time conducting research, and this pathway does not lead to licensure. However, students can choose to complete a practicum. Please note this track only accepts five or six students per year. 

Tuition for in-state students is $370 per credit hour and $1,194 per credit hour for out-of-state students. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,478
Out-of-state
$19,810
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,916
Out-of-state
$25,759
Retention Rate
92%
Admission Rate
45%
Students Enrolled
71,881
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
96% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#3 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

New York University

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

New York University's master's program in clinical psychology is an informal track within the master of psychology program, and it does not receive special designation on student transcripts. Applicants should apply to the psychology program and specify their interest in clinical psychology.

The program does not lead directly to licensing. Most graduates either pursue a Ph.D. track that emphasizes research or a Psy.D. that prepares them for clinical practice. 

The school recommends a specific group of core courses for the clinical psychology track, but students are allowed to take other core courses. It also recommends specific electives.

Students in the clinical psychology master's program are encouraged to take advantage of NYU's other schools and take cross-disciplinary courses, but an advisor must approve cross registrations. All students must complete either a thesis or a comprehensive examination.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$52,204
Out-of-state
$52,204
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$34,704
Out-of-state
$34,704
Retention Rate
90%
Admission Rate
21%
Students Enrolled
52,775
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
89% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#4 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

Harvard University

  • Cambridge, MA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Harvard University's master's program in clinical psychology is integrated into its Ph.D. program. At the end of their second year in the Ph.D. program, students may be recommended for the master's degree, but this is not automatic. 

While the doctoral program emphasizes research, it meets licensure requirements for the state of Massachusetts and is accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) and by the American Psychological Association (APA).

During each of the first two years of the program (the two years that may lead to a master's degree), students propose and carry out a major research project that must be completed by the end of the year. 

Tuition is $52,456 per year, but the standard financial aid for Ph.D. students includes tuition, health fees, an academic year stipend, and a summer research award. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$49,653
Out-of-state
$49,653
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$49,448
Out-of-state
$49,448
Retention Rate
76%
Admission Rate
5%
Students Enrolled
30,391
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
97% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

#5 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

Boston University

  • Boston, MA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Boston University's master's program in clinical psychology is one of the shorter courses on the list, taking just one year to complete. The school admits both psychology majors and students who have a basic undergraduate grounding in psychology. 

The degree program prepares students for a license, and clinical psychology is a potential informal specialization within the general master's in psychology rather than a specific degree. Most of the courses in the university's graduate school are open to master's-level students. Ph.D. program faculty are available for academic supervision. 

Students must complete a research paper and deliver a presentation at the level of a professional conference presentation.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$56,854
Out-of-state
$56,854
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$56,854
Out-of-state
$56,854
Retention Rate
92%
Admission Rate
20%
Students Enrolled
32,718
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
12% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

#6 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

Divine Mercy University

  • Sterling, VA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Divine Mercy University offers a master's program in clinical psychology that centers around "a Catholic-Christian vision of the person." The program does not lead to licensing but provides clinical psychology education to professional ministers or others working within a religious framework. 

Students can specialize in marriage and family studies (based on "perspective of the Catholic-Christian teaching on marriage and family," leadership, human services counseling, a pre-Ph.D. track that emphasizes research, and a self-designed program in which students pick their own electives. 

Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, though a 2.75 or higher is considered competitive. The program can be completed in 16-24 months. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$15,890
Out-of-state
$15,890
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
392
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
82% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#7 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  • Edinburg, TX
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's master's program in clinical psychology has both a thesis and a non-thesis option. The thesis option benefits students who plan on earning a doctorate. The non-thesis option meets the educational requirements for licensing as a psychological associate or a licensed professional counselor (with three additional courses) for the state of Texas. Both programs require practicums and internships. The capstone for the thesis option is the thesis itself and a comprehensive examination for the non-thesis option. 

Unlike many programs, applicants must submit GRE scores from within the last five years. The preferred minimum verbal score is 153 and the preferred quantitative score is 144.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,233
Out-of-state
$17,049
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,458
Out-of-state
$13,820
Retention Rate
81%
Admission Rate
82%
Students Enrolled
32,441
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
97% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#8 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

CUNY City College

  • New York, NY
  • 4 years
  • Campus

CUNY City College's master's program in general psychology offers a 40-credit non-thesis program or a 31-credit thesis program. All programs have a capstone project. The program does not lead to counseling licensing, though the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) 40-credit track does meet New York state requirements to become a substance abuse counselor. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. 

Applicants do not need an undergraduate major in psychology, but must have had some psychology coursework, such as introductory psychology, statistics, and psychological research methods/experimental psychology courses. Performance in statistics and psychological research methods is an important factor for admission. Students whose curriculum did not include a course in research methodology must complete an undergraduate-level course during the first year of their master's program. All applicants must provide GRE scores. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$6,930
Out-of-state
$14,880
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,090
Out-of-state
$20,520
Retention Rate
80%
Admission Rate
51%
Students Enrolled
15,227
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
98% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#9 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

DePaul University

  • Chicago, IL
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

DePaul University offers two tracks in its master's program in clinical psychology, a clinical-child and a clinical-community track. Please note that the master's program is part of the Ph.D. track, and students must complete the Ph.D. track. 

DePaul uses a quarter hours system. The master's program requires 76 quarter hours, while the Ph.D. requires at least 28 more quarter hours and a dissertation. The clinical psychology master's program has held American Psychological Association accreditation since 1976.

Students must complete three term-long practicums, which do not count for course credit. The master's program also requires a thesis and a defense. The minimum grade for every course is a B+.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$40,551
Out-of-state
$40,551
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$19,370
Out-of-state
$19,370
Retention Rate
83%
Admission Rate
70%
Students Enrolled
21,922
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
99% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#10 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology

University of Houston-Clear Lake

  • Houston, TX
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

The University of Houston-Clear Lake's master's program in psychology can lead to licensing as a professional counselor or as a psychological associate in Texas. Students focus on specialties, such as behavioral medicine, anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, or behavioral parent training for childhood externalizing behaviors.

Students participate in a two-semester practicum onsite at the university's Psychological Services Clinic and then complete a 500-hour internship at designated sites within the Houston area. 

To apply, students must submit GRE scores from within the last five years, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a CV.  Learners must also participate in on-campus interviews, typically in March. 

Students must complete at least 15 hours in undergraduate psychology, with courses in introductory psychology and abnormal psychology and at least three upper-level psychology courses. Applicants who have already completed these courses will receive preference in admissions.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$5,856
Out-of-state
$19,104
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,920
Out-of-state
$17,568
Retention Rate
77%
Admission Rate
81%
Students Enrolled
9,053
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
94% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Featured Online Psychology Programs

How to Apply to a Master's Program in Clinical Psychology

Give yourself plenty of time when applying to your top master's in clinical psychology programs. Ask a trusted teacher or mentor to review your application to make sure that it reflects your strengths and abilities.

Most schools require or prefer a 3.0 or higher GPA and a bachelor's degree. An undergraduate degree in psychology is not typically required. You may need to submit GRE scores, though some schools require it only for students below a certain GPA level.

You must include your undergraduate transcript, though many schools accept an unofficial transcript for application and require the official copy only after acceptance, and at least two references. Schools have different procedures for sending reference letters, so be sure to contact the program's admissions office for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Master's Programs in Clinical Psychology

Where do mental health counselors work?

Mental health counselors may work in independent practices, counseling centers, hospitals or health systems, government agencies, or in community-based organizations.

What's the difference between an MS or MS in clinical psychology?

A master of arts (MA) in clinical psychology typically has a broader focus and emphasizes skills required for practicing psychology, while a master of science (MS) is more focused on research and methodology. If you want to teach or conduct research, an MS may be more valuable, while if you want to practice, an MA may be better.

How much do you make with a master's degree in psychology?

Your salary will depend on how you use your degree. If you go on to earn a doctorate and become a clinical psychologist, the median salary is $81,040 annually. If you become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor, the median annual salary is $48,520, though salaries vary considerably.

What can I do with a master's degree in clinical psychology?

While many who earn a master's degree in clinical psychology go on to earn a doctorate and licensure become a clinical psychologist, you can also work as a therapist or counselor, mental health coach, in public health, or in the justice system.


Page last reviewed on October 21, 2022. This page's information — not including school descriptions — was reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Psychology.org.

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