Online and Distance Learning

Are you looking for masters in clinical psychology online programs? This page will help you to find out more about clinical psychology study and to locate suitable university online degree programs.

Online masters in clinical psychology programs give you flexibility in your study

Clinical and counseling psychology online programs are very popular amongst students. But what is the difference?

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 is for students who wish to study their clinical psychology master online. If you wish to explore the on campus psychology programs available, go to the on campus programs page

Which schools offer masters in clinical psychology programs?

The following list shows select schools for MS clinical psychology online programs and other closely related programs:

• Capella University Online
  • MS - Clinical Psychology
  • MS - Educational Psychology

• The University of the Rockies Online
  • 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 online masters clinical psychology programs using the search box in the right-hand column. 

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), and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Other specializations relevant to an online masters in clinical psychology

You may find it useful to look at the following areas:

• counseling psychology;
• developmental psychology (infant, child, adolescent, adult and elderly);
• educational psychology (including school psychology);
• forensic psychology/criminal justice;
• general psychology.

What do you study in masters in clinical psychology programs?

Clinical psychology began in 1896 with the work of Lightner Witmer, who 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 graduate programs focus on the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders, abnormal behavior and psychiatric problem.

A typical Masters program may include the following:

• Biological Basis of Behaviour
• Contemporary Issues in Psychology
• Principles of Psychopathology
• Statistics
• Human Motivation
• Research Design
• The Cognitive Approach
• Clinical Psychology
• Theories of Psychotherapy
• Tests and Measurement
• Psychological Testing
• 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 masters in clinical psychology 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, MS or MSc clinical psychology), you can become a guidance counselor, educator, clinical psychologist, social worker, research psychologist and more.  Without a masters or PhD you would only be qualified to work as a clinical psychology assistant.  But for the best jobs you really need a Clinical Doctorate in Psychology.

Salaries are high among for top jobs clinical psychology.  To a great extent it depends on your specialization in your clinical masters in psychology.  In the US, in forensic clinical psychology the average salary is about US$71,000 (PayScales.com).

More information about masters in 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.

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.