Clinical Psychology Online and On Campus Programs
This page provides information on clinical psychology online and on campus programs. It tackles the questions - "what is clinical psychology?" and "what is the difference between clinical and counseling psychology?" and provides advice on programs to take in order to qualify in this field.
Clinical psychology is the application of psychology to the analysis, research and treatment of severe mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This can be contrasted with counseling psychology, which deals wih everyday stresses, including career planning, learning difficulties, marriage guidance and family difficulties.
This page has links to schools that are mainly for students who wish to study clinical psychology online. If you wish to explore the on campus psychology programs available, go to the on campus programs page. Click here for more general psychology information.
Which schools offer clinical psychology?
Many schools offer psychology programs. Make sure the program you take is accredited by an appropriate accrediting body, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), or the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
The following list shows the recommended schools for clinical psychology online programs (plus other other closely related programs):
- BS in Psychology / Applied Behavioral Analysis
- BS in Psychology / Child Development
- MS - Clinical Psychology
- MS - Educational Psychology
- PhD - Educational Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology - Evaluation, Research & Measurement
- Master of Arts in Psychology - Evaluation, Research & Measurement
Check the other specializations on this site for schools and programs of possible interest. You can also find more clinical psychology online programs using the search box in the right-hand column.
Other specializations relevant to clinical psychology online
You may find it useful to consider the programs available in the following areas:
- counseling psychology;
- developmental psychology (infant, child, adolescent, adult and elderly);
- educational psychology (including school psychology);
- forensic psychology/criminal justice;
- general psychology;
Other schools and programs can be found by using the search box.
What do you study in clinical psychology programs?
Clinical psychology began in 1896 with the work of Lightner Witmer on learning disabilities. Witner established a clinic where learning disorders and other educational difficulties could be assessed and treated. Other psychologists followed with their own theories and treatments of educational and other psychological disturbances, e.g., Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and Alfred Adler.
There are now many theories and approaches to clinical psychology, and degree programs may vary slightly as to the content and specializations offered, depending on the research interests of the faculty.
Clinical psychology study is possible at the bachelor level, but is mainly taken at master's and doctoral levels. Clinical psychology graduate programs focus on the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders, abnormal behavior and psychiatric problem. A typical clinical psychology online masters program may include the following:
- Biological Basis of Behaviour
- Human Motivation
- Contemporary Issues in Psychology
- Statistics
- Research Design
- Tests and Measurement
- Psychological Testing
- Principles of Psychopathology
- The Cognitive Approach
- Clinical Psychology
- Theories of Psychotherapy
- The Developmental Approach
- Culture and Psychology
A thesis may be required in addition or in place of some of the courses.
What jobs do graduates of clinical psychology online degrees get?
Accredited online psychology degrees provide many career opportunities in private sector (e.g., marketing, personnel management), public sector (e.g., teaching, social/community work, mental health care in hospitals, clinics and schools). The American Psychological Association says that psychology is the third fastest-growing field in America requiring a college degree.
With a masters in clinical psychology (MA), you can become a guidance counselor, educator, clinical psychologist, social worker, research psychologist and more. With a suitable bachelors degree, but without a masters or a PhD, you would be qualified to work as a clinical psychology assistant. But for the best jobs you really need a PsyD or PhD in clinical psychology.
Salaries are high for top jobs clinical psychology. To a great extent your salary depends on your specialization in your clinical doctorate in psychology. In the US, in forensic clinical psychology the average salary is about US$71,000 (PayScales.com).
More information about clinical psychology online programs
Use this link to find programs and schools near you.
Use the search facility on this site to find more clinical psychology online programs.
Also try here for more information on psychology.
Remember to compare the admission requirements and course content of several schools before you choose a program.
Campus Programs
For those students who want to take clinical psychology but feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs.
You can also search for a program or a school near you.
