Clinical psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health and emotional difficulties. Clinical psychologists work with individuals, families, and groups to help them understand and overcome mental health problems.

Obtaining a psychology degree is required if you want to work in this field, and a clinical psychology degree will set you up to be more competitive when applying for jobs. Whether you’re looking to work in private practice, hospitals, schools, or other settings, a degree in clinical psychology is the foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career.

Find out what online degree programs are available in this rewarding field by reading the guide below.

Choosing the Right Online Clinical Psychology Degree Program

Clinical psychologists need at least a master’s degree and a doctorate would give you an edge in the job market. Either degree first requires that you complete an undergraduate bachelor’s. Both degrees can be completed online.

Bachelor’s Degree

Although colleges rarely have an online bachelor’s degree program in clinical psychology, a bachelor’s in psychology provides the foundation for clinical work. You could alternatively pursue a bachelor’s in counseling or something similar.

Earning a bachelor’s degree should take four years. The first half will consist mostly of basic psychology courses and core requirements, with the last two years being more focused on intermediate psychology classes.

Master’s Degree

You’ll need a master’s degree to practice clinical psychology, as all states require this level of degree for licensure.

Master’s degrees in psychology are widely available, and sufficient for practicing clinical psychology. You can pursue a more specialized master’s in clinical psychology, but it’s not actually necessary.

Most master’s degrees in psychology involve one to two years of study, which is mostly coursework but has an internship component, which as an online student will likely be performed in your own community.

Graduate Certificate

A graduate certificate allows you to specialize further, and there are many clinical psychology certificates available. Completing a certificate in clinical psychology could help you transition to this field if your master’s is in a different type of psychology. You could alternatively complete a certificate that focuses on clinical work with a specific demographic.

Online graduate certificates take six months to one year to complete. They’ll either cover general clinical psychology topics, or the classes will be more specialized within a subfield.

Doctorate Degree

Earning a doctorate degree can give you access to high-level leadership positions, and you could also teach with a doctorate. It’s not necessary to earn a doctorate in order to work as a clinical psychologist, though.

The most common doctorate for clinical psychologists is a Psy.D. degree. This is a clinically focused degree program that has a heavy emphasis on practical work. You’ll spend time studying clinical subjects at advanced levels, but you’ll also spend significant time working directly with people. Psy.D. degrees usually require three years to complete.

Some clinical psychologists earn a Ph.D. degree instead, which is a doctorate that’s more research-heavy. You’ll spend much time working with people in this type of program, and much more time running studies and analyzing data. Ph.D. programs in the U.S. usually require two years of coursework and another two to four years of researching for and writing a dissertation.

Either doctorate will allow you to study clinical psychology at the most advanced levels, and either can prepare you for licensure if you decide to skip the master’s level.

Which Clinical Psychology Degree is Right for Me?

Bachelor’s DegreeMaster’s DegreeGraduate CertificatePh.D. or PsyD
I am interested in gaining entry-level experience in clinical psychologyx
I want to get started in my clinical psychology career before I pursue more educationx
I want to pursue a non-patient-facing role in clinical psychologyxx
I want to pursue or switch to a niche psychology specialtyxx
I already have a psychology degree and want to gain specialized knowledgexx
I want to conduct research in clinical psychologyxx
I want to become a licensed clinical psychologist and treat patientsx
I want to work in academiax

Clinical Psychology Degree Program Curriculum

Coursework becomes more specialized as you progress through degree programs, but you’ll study psychology and clinical work at every level.

  • Bachelor’s: ~120 credits; Intro to Psychology, Social Influences, Human Development
  • Master’s: ~30-60 credits; Science of Psychopathology, Psychotherapy, Group Therapy
  • Graduate Certificate: ~12-20 credits; Psychotherapy, Group Therapy, Child Psychology
  • Doctorate: ~80-120 credits; Developmental Psychology Across Lifespan, Cognition and Emotion

Clinical Psychology Degree Program Clinical Requirements

Most master’s and Psy.D. students in clinical psychology are required to complete clinical placements or internships as part of their degree program. The clinical component is referred to as a “practicum.”

Accredited master’s programs typically require at least 600 hours of clinical work, while Psy.D. programs typically require 1,500 hours. Programs that are specifically in clinical psychology may have more practical experience.

Faculty members can assist students in finding suitable clinical placements in mental health settings. Because you’ll be enrolled in an online program, you may need to rely on job postings and personal networking to find appropriate clinical experiences. There’s usually no shortage of supervised clinical opportunities, however.

During their clinical placements, students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of clinical psychology in a supervised setting. Most of the time is spent working directly with patients.

List of Clinical Psychology Degree Programs

Looking for an online or campus-based clinical psychology degree program near you? Browse our state-by-state school listings below.

Jump to Your State Listings

Alabama

7440 East Drive
Montgomery, AL 36117-3596
(334) 244-3000

5345 Atlanta Hwy
Montgomery, AL 36109-3390
(334) 272-5820

739 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0100
(205) 348-6010

Administration Bldg Suite 1070
Birmingham, AL 35294-0110
(205) 934-4011

307 N University Blvd
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
(251) 460-6101

Alaska

3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1800

Arizona

1900 S Knoles Dr, Babbitt Administrative Center, Room 200
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4092
(928) 523-9011

PhD Programs
1401 E University
Tucson, AZ 85721-0066
(520) 621-2211

California

10455 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 635-4000

PsyD ProgramsMaster's Programs
60 W Olsen Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2787
(805) 492-2411

Master's Programs
18111 Nordhoff St
Northridge, CA 91330
(818) 677-1200

5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407-2393
(909) 537-5000

PsyD ProgramsPhD Programs
135 N Oakland Ave
Pasadena, CA 91182
(626) 584-5200

PhD ProgramsPsyD Programs
11139 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-1000

Master's Programs
249 Lambert Rd
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 969-3626 x101

9500 Gilman Dr
La Jolla, CA 92093
(858) 534-2230

5221 Cheadle Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
(805) 893-8000

1950 Third St
La Verne, CA 91750-4401
(909) 593-3511

Colorado

102 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523-0100
(970) 491-1101

PhD Programs
Regent Drive at Broadway
Boulder, CO 80309-0017
(303) 492-1411

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 255-3000

1380 Lawrence Street, Lawrence Street Center, Suite 1400
Denver, CO 80217-3364
(303) 556-5600

2199 S. University Blvd
Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-2000

Connecticut

PhD Programs
352 Mansfield Road
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-2000

Florida

PhD Programs
222 S. Copeland Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1037
(850) 644-2525

3301 College Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796
(954) 262-7300

33701 State Road 52
Saint Leo, FL 33574-6665
(352) 588-8200

Master's ProgramsPhD ProgramsBachelor's Programs
4000 Central Florida Blvd
Orlando, FL 32816
(407) 823-2000

Tigert Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-3261

Master's ProgramsPhD Programs
341 Tigert Hall 300 SW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-1202

University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(305) 284-2211

4202 East Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33620-9951
(813) 974-2011

Georgia

Master's Programs
2000 Clayton State Boulevard
Morrow, GA 30260-0285
(678) 466-4000

201 Dowman Drive
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-6123

1000 University Center Lane
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(678) 407-5000

33 gilmer st
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
(404) 413-2000

Hawaii

3140 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816-1578
(808) 735-4711

1 Aloha Tower Drive
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 544-0200

PhD Programs
2500 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822-2217
(808) 956-8111

Idaho

921 S 8th Ave
Pocatello, ID 83209
(208) 282-2700

Illinois

PhD Programs
1 E Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 362-8000

600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 581-5000

North and School Streets
Normal, IL 61790-1000
(309) 438-2111

Master's ProgramsPsyD ProgramsCertificate Programs
430 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605-1394
(312) 341-3500

Il State Rte 157
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1259
(888) 328-5168

PhD Programs
601 S Morgan
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 996-7000

One University Plaza
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
(217) 206-6600

Indiana

210 N 7th St
Terre Haute, IN 47809
(812) 237-6311

Bachelor's ProgramsCertificate Programs
107 South Indiana Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
(812) 855-4848

420 University Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5143
(317) 274-5555

PsyD Programs
1400 E Hanna Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46227-3697
(317) 788-3368

PhD Programs
400 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 631-5000

Kansas

Master's Programs
1 Kellogg Circle
Emporia, KS 66801-5415
(620) 341-1200

600 Park St
Hays, KS 67601-4099
(785) 628-4000

Master's Programs
1701 S Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620) 231-7000

1700 SW College Avenue
Topeka, KS 66621-0001
(785) 670-1010

PhD Programs
1845 N. Fairmount
Wichita, KS 67260-0124
(316) 978-3456

Kentucky

PsyD Programs
521 Lancaster Ave
Richmond, KY 40475-3102
(859) 622-1000

Master's Programs
University Blvd
Morehead, KY 40351
(606) 783-2000

Master's Programs
218 Wells Hall
Murray, KY 42071-3318
(270) 809-3011

901 S Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40203-2188
(502) 585-9911

PhD Programs
South Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506-0032
(859) 257-9000

PhD Programs
2301 S 3rd St
Louisville, KY 40292-0001
(502) 852-5555

1906 College Heights Blvd
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1000
(270) 745-0111

Louisiana

8100 Hwy 71 South
Alexandria, LA 71302-9121
(318) 445-3672

175 Sam Sibley Drive
Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002
(318) 357-6011

Maine

168 College Avenue
Orono, ME 04469
(207) 581-1865

Maryland

4501 N Charles St
Baltimore, MD 21210-2699
(410) 617-2000

1525 Greenspring Valley Rd
Stevenson, MD 21153-0641
(410) 486-7000

Massachusetts

One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-2000

PhD Programs
950 Main St
Worcester, MA 01610-1477
(508) 793-7711

PhD Programs
Massachusetts Hall
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-1000

PhD Programs
73 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02108-3901
(617) 573-8754

285 Old Westport Rd
North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
(508) 999-8000

1 University Ave
Lowell, MA 01854-5104
(978) 934-4000

PsyD Programs
One Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
(617) 327-6777

Michigan

Bachelor's Programs
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855-5301
(906) 227-2650

Master's Programs
4901 Evergreen Rd
Dearborn, MI 48128-1491
(313) 593-5000

42 W. Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-2424

PhD Programs
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5200
(269) 387-1000

Minnesota

225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55402-3389
(866) 808-4080

Master's Programs
South Rd and Ellis Ave
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-1866

Master's Programs
515 Darland Administration Bldg
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 726-8000

Mississippi

PhD Programs
Lee Boulevard
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662) 325-2323

Oxford, Mississippi
University, MS 38677-1848
(662) 915-7211

PhD Programs
118 College Drive # 0001
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
(601) 266-1000

Missouri

Certificate Programs
3950 E. Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801-1595
(866) 818-6778

PhD Programs
One North Grand Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2097
(314) 977-2222

5000 Holmes St.
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 235-1000

One University Boulevard
Saint Louis, MO 63121-4400
(314) 516-5000

Master's Programs
One Brookings Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63130-4899
(314) 935-5000

Montana

PhD Programs
Missoula, Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-0211

Nevada

4505 S Maryland Pky
Las Vegas, NV 89154
(702) 895-3011

PhD Programs
North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 784-1110

New Jersey

PhD ProgramsMaster's Programs
1000 River Rd
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 692-2000

1000 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
(908) 737-5326

PhD Programs
201 Mullica Hill Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028
(856) 256-4000

PsyD Programs
83 Somerset St
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281
(848) 445-4636

2000 Pennington Road
Ewing, NJ 08628-7718
(609) 771-1855

PsyD Programs
300 Pompton Rd
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 720-2000

New Mexico

2850 Weddell Street
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
(575) 646-0111

PhD Programs
1700 Lomas Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 277-0111

New York

Graduate Certificate Programs
South Ave
Garden City, NY 11530-0701
(516) 877-3000

PhD Programs
4400 Vestal Parkway East
Vestal, NY 13850-6000
(607) 777-2000

160 Convent Ave
New York, NY 10031
(212) 650-7000

65-30 Kissena Blvd
Queens, NY 11367
(718) 997-5000

West 116 St and Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-1754

PhD Programs
441 E Fordham Rd
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 817-1000

100 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549
(516) 463-6600

8000 Utopia Pky
Queens, NY 11439
(718) 990-6161

PhD Programs
310 Administration Building
Stony Brook, NY 11794-0701
(631) 632-6000

50 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
(646) 565-6000

500 W 185th St
New York, NY 10033-3299
(212) 960-5400

North Carolina

287 Rivers St
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2000

PhD Programs
East 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
(252) 328-6131

601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5963
(910) 962-3000

PhD Programs
1400 Spring Garden St
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
(336) 334-5000

Master's Programs
Highway 107
Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646
(828) 227-7100

North Dakota

PhD Programs
264 Centennial Drive, Stop 8193
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8193
(800) 225-5863

Ohio

PhD Programs
220 McFall Ctr
Bowling Green, OH 43403
(418) 372-5526

PhD Programs
10900 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 368-2000

Bachelor's Programs
1 John Carroll Boulevard
University Heights, OH 44118-4538
(888) 388-2977

PhD Programs
Executive Office, 2nd Floor Library
Kent, OH 44242-0001
(330) 672-3000

PhD Programs
501 East High St
Oxford, OH 45056
(513) 529-1809

PhD Programs
190 N. Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-6446

PhD Programs
020 Chubb Hall
Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1000

PhD Programs
2624 Clifton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0063
(513) 556-6000

Master's Programs
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469
(937) 229-1000

Bachelor's Programs
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, OH 45435-0001
(937) 775-1000

PsyD Programs
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-1092
(513) 745-3000

Oklahoma

800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104-3189
(918) 631-2000

Oregon

PhD ProgramsPsyD Programs
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(877) 722-8648

Pennsylvania

2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, PA 18034-9568
(610) 282-1100

3141 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 895-2000

PhD Programs
Administration Bldg 600 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
(412) 396-6000

PhD Programs
1011 South Dr 201 Sutton Hall
Indiana, PA 15705-1098
(724) 357-2100

1900 W Olney Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199
(215) 951-1000

1 South George Street, Lyle Hall
Millersville, PA 17551-0302
(717) 871-4636

1200 Main St
Bethlehem, PA 18018-6650
(610) 861-1360

Bachelor's Programs
6001 University Boulevard
Moon Township, PA 15108-1189
(412) 397-3000

PhD Programs
1801 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6096
(215) 204-7000

PhD Programs
201 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802-1503
(814) 865-4700

PhD Programs
4200 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-4141

University Avenue and High Street
West Chester, PA 19383
(610) 436-1000

Rhode Island

One Old Ferry Road
Bristol, RI 02809-2921
(401) 253-1040

Green Hall, 35 Campus Avenue
Kingston, RI 02881
(401) 874-1000

South Carolina

Columbia-Campus
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7000

Tennessee

1276 Gilbreath Drive
Johnson City, TN 37614
(423) 439-1000

527 Andy Holt Tower
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 974-1000

PhD Programs
Southern Avenue
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-2000

Texas

Bachelor's Programs

Waco, TX 76798
(254) 710-1011

FM 1098 Road & University Drive
Prairie View, TX 77446
(936) 261-3311

6425 Boaz St
Dallas, TX 75275-0221
(214) 768-2000

PhD Programs
JKW Administration Building, Suite 200
College Station, TX 77843-1248
(979) 845-3211

PhD Programs
Broadway and University Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79409-5005
(806) 742-2011

Master's ProgramsPhD Programs
1201 W University Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
(956) 665-2011

Master's Programs
500 W. University Ave
El Paso, TX 79968-0691
(915) 747-5000

3900 University Blvd
Tyler, TX 75799-6699
(903) 566-7000

Master's Programs
2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058-1002
(281) 283-7600

Utah

Accelerated Masters Programs
Main Campus
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 422-4636

351 West University Blvd
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-7700

PhD Programs
201 Presidents Circle, ROOM 201
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9008
(801) 581-7200

Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-1400
(435) 797-1000

Vermont

One Winooski Park
Colchester, VT 05439
(802) 654-2000

85 S Prospect St
Burlington, VT 05405-0160
(802) 656-3131

Virginia

PhD Programs
4400 University Dr
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
(703) 993-1000

1971 University Blvd
Lynchburg, VA 24515
(434) 582-2000

700 Park Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23504-8000
(757) 823-8600

5115 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-3000

801 East Main St.
Radford, VA 24142
(540) 831-5000

1000 Regent University Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 352-4127

1827 University Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22903-2628
(434) 924-0311

PhD Programs
910 W Franklin St
Richmond, VA 23284-2512
(804) 828-0100

PhD Programs
210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr.
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0131
(540) 231-6994

Master's ProgramsPhD Programs
1 Hayden Drive
Petersburg, VA 23806
(804) 524-5000

Washington

PsyD Programs
2326 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1814
(206) 441-5352

3307 3rd Ave W
Seattle, WA 98119-1997
(206) 281-2000

French Administration Building
Pullman, WA 99164-5910
(509) 335-3564

Master's Programs
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225-9008
(360) 650-3000

West Virginia

One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
(304) 696-3170

Wisconsin

PhD Programs
1250 W Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 288-7710

Wyoming

PhD Programs
Corner of Ninth and Ivinson
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-1121

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

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