phd in clinical psychology boston university

PhD Programs

Brain, Behavior, and Cognition

Clinical Psychology

Developmental Science

Boston University’s Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences offers great opportunities for conducting research alongside leading faculty.

The department offers doctoral degrees in a variety of research areas. For general information about the Graduate Program, please see the Graduate Handbook . To apply, visit the  Graduate School of Arts & Sciences  website. Boston University’s institution code for submitting GRE scores is 3087.

Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology

Doug Wintemute

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated August 14, 2024

Joey Morris

Reviewed by

Megan Pietrucha

Contributing Reviewer

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Are you ready to discover your college program?

Key Takeaways

• Boston University, Brigham Young University, and Columbia University in the City of New York make up the top online clinical psychology graduate programs.
• Application requirements include transcripts, references, a resume, an essay, and GRE scores for some schools.
• Median costs were $10,040 for master's and $13,440 for doctoral programs in 2023, with financial aid and part-time study options available.

As psychology degrees grow in demand and popularity, the country's graduate schools for clinical psychology look for ways to make the programs more accessible and accommodating. This has led to an explosion of new psychology degrees, program options and specializations, and delivery methods.

While this growth ensures more students find what they're looking for, it also makes the decision process more difficult. Thankfully, you'll find help in this guide. Read on to discover what factors you should consider and things to look for when searching, along with how you should go about applying.

Popular Online Psychology Master's Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Online Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology

Read about our methodology

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. 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. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

Boston University

• Online + Campus

Boston University's master of arts in psychology allows students to explore their interests in professional psychology and prepare for doctoral studies. The master's-level program does not qualify graduates for clinical licensure or practice.

The full-time campus-based degree, based on a scientific methodologies foundation, requires 36 credits. The curriculum emphasizes the areas of the brain, behavior, and cognition; clinical psychology; and developmental science. Enrollees participate in directed study and complete research projects. 

The department does not require applicants to have undergraduate psychology degrees but strongly recommends courses in research methods, statistics, and psychology content areas.

Brigham Young University

The Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, has maintained continuous accreditation by the American Psychological Association for over 50 years. The practitioner-oriented curriculum offers optional areas of study in clinical child, adolescent, and family psychology; clinical neuropsychology; and clinical health psychology. 

As part of the five-year program, students complete a master of science during the second year of study. In the final year, Ph.D. candidates finish their dissertation and internship requirements. Though the university is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it does not limit admission to members of this faith. However, the application review process is selective, admitting only 7-8 students per year.

Columbia University in the City of New York

• New York, NY

The Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University has held uninterrupted accreditation by the American Psychological Association since 1948. Based on a scientist-practitioner model, the 95-credit degree integrates rigorous training in contemporary clinical science and assessment. Most of the coursework and clinical experiences proceed from a broad-based psychodynamic orientation emphasizing a relational perspective.

Admission to the Ph.D. requires a bachelor's degree, GRE general test scores, and ten courses in statistics and psychology content areas, including at least one class with a laboratory component. Admitted students qualify for financial assistance to cover tuition for the first three years and stipends in the fourth year. 

Harvard University

• Cambridge, MA

Harvard University's Ph.D. in clinical psychology offers a research-focused curriculum that emphasizes severe psychopathology. This program holds accreditation from the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System and the American Psychological Association.

The psychology department employs a holistic approach to admissions. GRE scores are optional but recommended. Applicants with bachelor's degrees in other fields should take basic psychology courses to gain research experience.

Students accepted into the program receive financial support through tuition stipends, teaching fellowships, and research grants, beginning in their first year through years four and five, as needed.

New York University

New York University's master of arts in psychology provides an informal clinical psychology focus area for students preparing for doctoral study in clinical or counseling psychology. While this focus area does not include opportunities for supervised clinical practice experiences or lead to clinical licensure at the master's level, most graduates continue to doctoral studies in clinical Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs.

The MA in psychology is a campus-based program that offers mostly evening classes to accommodate working students. The 36-credit degree comprises 12 courses, including statistics and research methods. The curriculum also covers three core psychology courses, seven electives, and a thesis or comprehensive exam.

Northwestern University

• Evanston, IL

The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Northwestern University uses a scientist-practitioner model to prepare students for psychology careers and research roles in academic medical centers and other healthcare settings. This full-time, in-person program offers all classes and labs at Northwestern's downtown Chicago campus. Each student works closely with a faculty mentor throughout the program, which typically takes five or six years to complete.

This selective program admits up to seven new learners each year. Most students admitted to the Ph.D. program have acquired at least one year of post-baccalaureate research experience — very few students enter the program directly after earning their undergraduate degrees.

San Diego State University

• San Diego, CA

The Ph.D. in clinical psychology at San Diego State University , offered jointly with the University of California San Diego, admits students with bachelor's degrees in psychology or related fields — so long as they have GPAs of at least 3.0. Although a psychology major is not required for admission, successful applicants must have strong backgrounds in upper-division psychology coursework. 

This full-time, in-person program offers specializations in behavioral medicine, experimental psychology, and neuropsychology. Students complete core coursework in the first two years and specialized courses to earn their master's during the third year. Fourth-year students conduct dissertation research. In the fifth and sixth years, Ph.D. candidates defend their dissertations and complete full-time clinical internships.

University of California-San Diego

• La Jolla, CA

The Ph.D. in clinical psychology, administered jointly by the University of California San Diego and San Diego State University , integrates research and practice throughout its five-year curriculum. Accredited by the American Psychological Association, the Ph.D. offers concentrations in behavioral medicine, neuropsychology, and experimental psychopathology.

With four or five years of intensive research experience working with a faculty mentor, the admission process evaluates how well each applicant's research background and interests align with their intended faculty mentors.

Each applicant must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The doctoral program does not consider GRE scores.

University of Central Florida

• Orlando, FL

The master of arts in clinical psychology at the University of Central Florida is an in-person, full-time program available at the school's Sanford/Lake Mary campus.

The program offers two tracks. The applied pre-licensure/non-thesis path, which admits a cohort of 15-16 learners each year, requires 61 credits. This track prepares graduates to become licensed mental health counselors in Florida. The 38-credit research/thesis track admits up to six students each year and prepares them to pursue careers in research or doctoral studies in clinical psychology.

The MA program requires a bachelor's degree with an overall 3.0 GPA. A psychology degree is strongly recommended but not required for admission. Applicants must submit GRE scores. Most admitted students have a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 295.

University of Virginia-Main Campus

• Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia's Ph.D. in clinical psychology integrates training in clinical and school psychology based on the scientist-practitioner model. As one of only 14 combined clinical and school psychology programs accredited by the American Psychological Association, the degree prepares graduates for licensure/certification in clinical psychology alone or in combination with school psychology. This program has also received full approval as a doctoral-level school psychology program by the National Association of School Psychologists.  

This full-time, in-person program takes five years to complete, including a one-year internship. Students who maintain satisfactory academic advancement receive financial support, including tuition, medical insurance, and an additional $20,000 stipend throughout their four-year residency. For the fifth year, the program provides financial support for enrollees completing APA-approved internships.

What to Look for in a Clinical Psychology Graduate Degree

The right master's in clinical psychology or doctorate in clinical psychology for you depends on your preferred specialty and goals, as well as finances, academic background, and whether you want a hybrid, on-campus, or online program. Consider these factors when weighing options for a clinical psychology graduate degree.

Primary Factors to Consider

Accreditation.

Accreditation is so important to your goals that this page only lists accredited programs. Your clinical psychology graduate degree must be from an accredited program for licensed psychology careers, and most employers will not even consider graduates from an unaccredited program.

If you want to check a program's status, the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation both offer searchable directories of accredited clinical psychology master's and doctoral programs.

The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits in-person doctoral programs only.

Admission Requirements

Before applying to a clinical psychology graduate degree, review the admission requirements. These not only tell you how likely you are to be admitted, but what the school values.

If you do not match all the criteria exactly, talk to an admissions counselor, since you may have other qualifications that might override a borderline GPA.

Cost and Financial Aid

Even with financial aid , a clinical psychology graduate degree is a major investment of time and money. In addition to tuition and fees, consider factors, such as travel to clinicals, whether you can work while studying, and what kinds of loans, scholarships, and grants you may qualify for.

You may be eligible for loan forgiveness if you work in an underserved area after you graduate, through programs like the National Health Service Corps .

Hybrid and Online Options

In addition to the traditional on-campus program, some clinical psychology master's programs are available in hybrid or online formats. These options give you more flexibility, but it may be more difficult to network and have discussions in these formats.

You must complete your clinical fieldwork in person, and some online graduate degrees in clinical psychology have certain on-campus requirements. Hybrid programs vary in the proportion of online to on-campus classes, but you may be able to finish between one-third to two-thirds of your classes online.

Practical Experience Requirements

Practicums and internships are vital components of graduate degrees in clinical psychology. Early in your clinical psychology master's program, you will participate in practicums, which include shadowing and direct client contact with supervision by a licensed psychologist. Most practicum training is completed part time in tandem with coursework.

You will also complete several years of practicum experience and one internship during your doctoral program. Internships are usually completed in the final year of the doctoral program and are typically full-time experiences that last at least one year. During the internship, you will work with clients and conduct psychological assessments under supervision.

In general, clinical psychology graduate programs either arrange for practicum and placement or assist in finding a placement.

How to Apply to a Graduate Degree Program in Clinical Psychology

Once you identify the clinical psychology graduate programs that interest you, get ready to apply . You will need your undergraduate transcript, at least two references, a resume or CV, and an application that includes an essay or personal statement. Some schools may require GSE scores from students below a certain GPA threshold.

If your undergraduate degree is in a field other than psychology, you need to satisfy prerequisites to demonstrate academic readiness for a clinical psychology master's program. The specifics vary by program.

Popular Online Psychology Doctoral Programs

How much does a graduate program in clinical psychology cost.

The costs of a graduate program in clinical psychology can add up. According to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), the median annual cost for tuition and fees was $10,040 for master's programs and $13,440 for doctoral programs in 2023. After including personal student expenses, the median annual cost increases to $26,580 for master's students and $34,580 for doctoral students.

While the costs can be burdensome, you have options to make your education more affordable. For example, you may be able to study part time, asynchronously online, or during evenings and weekends, which could help you maintain employment. You also have financial aid options, such as federal loans and grants and scholarships for psychology students .

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology

• Collapse All

Do you need a master's or Ph.D. to become a clinical psychologist?

To become a clinical psychologist , you need a Psy.D. or a Ph.D. in psychology . In some states, you may earn licensure as an industrial-organizational psychologist or school psychologist with a master's degree.

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

Many clinical master's in psychology graduates go on to earn a doctorate to pursue a career as a licensed psychologist. Depending on your state's requirements, graduates who elect to remain at the master's level may be eligible for other licenses, such as a counselor or therapist. You can also work in fields, such as education, management, law and corrections, youth and family programs, or public health.

Is a master's in clinical psychology worth it?

A graduate degree in clinical psychology is a major investment of time and money. Whether it is worth it to you depends on your career, personal, and financial goals. Licensed master's-level clinician earnings vary by location, workplace type, and experience.

How many field experience hours are required for a master's degree in clinical psychology?

Each program has its own clinical experience requirements, but most feature between 300-600 hours. Each state also sets unique clinical hour requirements for licensure as a professional counselor.

Page last reviewed on March 30, 2024. 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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Boston University Clinical Psychology PHD

Further information about the program is available in the menu at the right. Please note that the Graduate and Clinical Handbooks contain a great deal of information about the Clinical Program and should be read in full.

About the Program

Established in 1947 and accredited by the APA since 1948, the doctoral program in clinical psychology at BU has a long and distinguished history. The scientist practitioner model of the clinical psychologist has shaped our commitment to the pursuit of excellence in both theoretical and empirical knowledge. The graduate PhD program in clinical psychology is part of the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, which is nested in a University center housing the behavioral sciences. The clinical doctoral program is an exciting, dynamic academic training program!

Mission Statement

The Boston University PhD Program in Clinical Psychology was one of the first twelve programs approved by the American Psychological Association in 1948. The program has a long-standing commitment to the scientist-practitioner “Boulder” model of doctoral training. As such, graduates of the program are expected to be competent in clinical assessment and intervention skills as well as in general research skills and the ability to apply these skills to investigating problems of interest to clinical psychologists. This emphasis on integrating research and clinical skills produces a scientist-practitioner who is more than the sum of these two constituent roles.

Our goal is to help students develop strengths in research and clinical practice as well as the critical thinking skills and abilities necessary to integrate these domains. We expect that our graduates will become leaders and innovators in the field of psychology in clinical, research, or academic settings. Within this framework, we endorse nurturing and supportive models of learning and teaching that combine coursework, clinical research, and professional practice with heavy emphasis on traditional mentorship relationships.

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Boston University - Clinical Psychology

Streamlining the patient experience through design.

The Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology is one of three graduate programs in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences. The Clinical Psychology Program includes the child group, adult bio-psychology group, adult emotion group, adult addiction group, and adult narrative group. The department also houses the Boston University Center for Anxiety Related Disorders (“CARD”), a mental health counseling clinic, training site, and clinical research facility specializing in helping adults and children address a range of anxiety disorders and related challenges, such as difficulties with mood, sleep, concentration, and pain.

The relocation project moves Clinical Psychology from 648 Beacon Street in Boston, to 900 Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline, consolidating four floors of existing research and clinical activity onto a single floor. The new space streamlines the patient experience and improves research collaboration. The design features nature-inspired materials and colors for a calming, private, and reassuring experience.

Brookline, MA

Building Type

Clinical Research Space, Offices, Patient Waiting Area

Download Project

Designed for comfort, productivity & focus.

Boston University – Makechnie Study Center

Multi-Lab Module Chemistry Conversion

Boston University – TSMC Laboratory Renovations

Marine-Focused Research and Teaching

Boston University – Marine Program

Engineering at the Forefront of Campus

Boston University – Engineering Product Innovation Center