Online and Distance Learning

If you are a graduate interested in a career as a clinical psychologist, then you probably need to start by taking a masters in clinical psychology program. This page will help you to find out more about clinical psychology study at masters level, where to locate suitable university degree programs, the prospects after completion, and more ...  

Clinical and counseling psychology 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 with everyday stresses, including career planning, learning difficulties, marriage guidance and family difficulties.

Most of the links are to clinical psychology master online programs. If you wish to find on campus psychology programs available, go to the on campus programs page.  After completing a masters degree, you should consider taking a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Which schools offer clinical psychology programs?

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

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

• University of the Rockies
  • Master of Arts in Psychology - Evaluation, Research & Measurement

• Browse more schools and programs at the foot of the page.

• Search for masters in clinical 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), and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Other specializations relevant to a 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 clinical psychology programs at masters level?

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 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 clinical psychology masters (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).

For more schools and programs