Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA: Top Universities, Admission Procedure, Cost, Scholarships, and Scope

Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA: Top Universities, Admission Procedure, Cost, Scholarships, and Scope

Highlights -

  • MS in clinical psychology requires you to counsel patients, create treatment plans, and collaborate with healthcare professionals.
  • The ROI of Northwestern University is the lowest (67%) as the annual tuition fee is the highest among all colleges $1,29,300, and the salary received after graduation is comparatively low ($87,000).
  • Accommodation rents are the highest in terms of cost of living, with monthly expenses of about INR 67,582.
  • Most of the scholarships available need exceptional academic performance with a GPA score between 3.35-3.75 on a 4-point scale.
  • Based on a comparison between the three universities, the University of Central Florida, and University of Tulsa, and Northwestern University, the average salary of UCF is the lowest which is $68000 (INR 56.70Lakhs).

A Master’s in Clinical Psychology in the USA prepares you for certification to practice psychology as a licensed mental health professional. You will receive training that will allow you to work in a variety of settings like community mental health centers and schools. Ms in Clinical Psychology in USA is for 2–3 years and acts as a stand-alone degree. The most important eligibility criteria for pursuing an MA in clinical psychology in the USA is to have a bachelor's degree in psychology-related fields from an accredited university. An IELTS score of 6.5 and a TOEFL iBT score of 80-90 is needed for admission to masters in Clinical Psychology in USA

Coursework for clinical psychology master’s degrees varies depending on the program and institution. Courses cover clinical research methodology, theory, and practice, along with specialized knowledge. Listed below are the common topics for an MA in Clinical Psychology in the USA-

  • Psychopathology
  • Behavioral Principles and Theories of Learning
  • Techniques of Counseling

Most of the universities offering an MA Clinical Psychology USA require you to complete a certain hour of clinical work as a part of their curriculum.

  • In addition to completing the coursework for both Bachelors and Masters, it is mandatory to complete the number of clinical hours required by the state through state-approved practicals, internships, and other field training.
  • You must work under the supervision of a clinical psychologist for your final dissertation, focusing on a specific area of interest.
  • Skills required for becoming a clinical psychologist are critical thinking and problem-solving, close observation in detail, and active listening.

Popular job opportunities after completing your master's in clinical psychology are Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Coordinator, Mental Health Clinician, Clinical Therapist, Clinical Professional Counselor, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

The average cost of studying in the USA for Indian students is approximately 25,000 USD- 60,000 USD (20.88 lakhs - 50.11 lakhs INR). Becoming a clinical psychologist can take 8 to 12 years. This time frame includes undergraduate and graduate studies, up to two years of postdoctoral supervised clinical experience, and the time it takes to obtain your licensure.

Top Colleges for Masters in Clinical Psychology in the USA

Tabulated below are the top universities offering Masters in Clinical Psychology united states with details of programs, deadlines, and total course fees

College/University Program Deadlines Total Program Fees (USD)
Northwestern University MA in Clinical Psychology May 1, 2023 107,750
University of Central Florida MA in Clinical Psychology December 1, 2023 $85, 416
University of Tulsa MA in Clinical Psychology December 1, 2022 (Closed) $1474 tuition credits per hour
Wheaton College MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling January 2, 2024 46,030
Pepperdine University MA in Clinical Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy) June 11, 2024 $118, 680
Vanguard University of Southern California MS in Clinical Psychology Priority deadline January 15, 2024 $840 per unit major $420 audit per unit
Clayton State University MS in Clinical Psychology March 15, 2024 70,272
University of Northern Iowa MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling April 15, 2024 44,148
Eastern Illinois University MA in Clinical Psychology February 15, 2024 56,892

Why Study Master in Clinical Psychology in the USA?

The master's degree in clinical psychology teaches students how to diagnose mental diseases, treat and prevent mental health disorders, and conduct cutting-edge research. Apart from being home to some of the world's most prestigious universities and colleges, the United States provides a diverse range of master's degrees. Psychologists earned a median yearly salary of USD 82,180 (67.97 lakhs INR). Mentioned below are some interesting facts that you must know:

  • There are currently an estimated 147,500 clinical psychologists in the United States.
  • The clinical psychologist job market is expected to grow by 14.2% between 2016 and 2026.
  • According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment projection of psychologists is 14% from 2018-28.

Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA: Admission Procedure

Clinical psychology master's programs integrate graduate-level coursework with clinical research and research methodologies. Clinical Psychology programs may grant either a Master of Science (MS) or a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Clinical Psychology.

To study in the United States, students must take standardized exams such as the GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and others. Aside from these, there are some masters in Clinical Psychology USA requirements-

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 (83-86%) or above

  • English language Proficiency
    -  IELTS: 6.0 - 6.5
    -  TOEFL-iBT: 80 - 90
  • Statement of Purpose
  • 2 to 3 Letter of Recommendation
  • Resume

Eligibility Requirements

The table below contains information on the qualifications and documentation required for admission to the best universities in USA for Master in Clinical Psycholog.

College/University GPA Required ELP Scores Other Requirements
Northwestern University 3.2 IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 90 2 LOR | SOP | Resume
University of Central Florida 3.0 IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL-iBT: 80 3 LOR | SOP
University of Tulsa 3.75 IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 70 2 LOR | SOP
Wheaton College 2.8 IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 95 4 LOR
Pepperdine University 3.69 IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL-iBT: 85 2 LOR | SOP
Vanguard University of Southern California 2.0 IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 80 2 LOR | SOP | Resume
Clayton State University 2.0 IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL-iBT: 75 3 LOR | SOP | Resume
University of Northern Iowa 3.0 IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 79 LOR | SOP | Resume
Eastern Illinois University 2.75 IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL-iBT: 79 2 LOR | SOP | Resume

US Students VISA

An international student must apply for an F-1 visa to study in the United States. After receiving a confirmation letter from the university, students must complete the I-20 form and submit it with their application.

  • The passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
  • Form DS-160 (Non-immigrant visa application confirmation page)
  • Application fee payment Receipt
  • Acceptance Letter from the University
  • Form I-20
  • English Language Proficiency score
  • Proof of financial support

Masters in Clinical Psychology in the USA: Cost of Studying

The details of pursuing a Masters in Clinical Psychology degree in the USA include annual tuition fees and cost of living for international students.

Cost of Living in the USA

Different factors in the United States, such as city, transport, and student housing, all have an impact on total living costs. The average monthly living expenses in the USA for international students is seen to be around 1,767 USD (1.46 lakhs INR). The following is an estimate of the cost of living in the United States:

Categories Cost per month (USD) Cost per month (INR)
Accommodations 816 67,582
Food 677 56,070
Transportation 50 - 100 4,141 - 8,282
Personal Expenses 98 8,116

Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA: Scholarships

Studying in the United States can be rather expensive. Thus, in order to keep costs to a minimum while in the United States, students should plan ahead of time. There are a variety of international scholarships available in the United States, which individual colleges offer.

Some of the popular scholarships offered by universities offering MA/MS in Psychology in the USA:

Awarding Institute Scholarship Eligibility Criteria Award
American Psychological Association American Psychological Foundation Scott and Paul Pearsall Scholarship Strong academic standings 10,000 USD
Wheaton College Graduate School A. Donald MacLeod/Doris Bruns Honorary Scholarship Strong academic standings 1,000 USD to 3,000 USD per year
Stenzel Clinical Mental Health Counseling Scholarship Strong academic standings 5,000 USD per year
Frances J. White Scholarship for Mental Health and Ministry Strong academic standings 750 USD to 1,800 USD per year
Janice Harrison, Psychology Scholarship Strong academic standings 8,000 USD to 12,000 USD per year
Vanguard University Graduate Academic Scholarship A GPA between 3. 50 to 3.75 in bachelor’s Gold: 15% Discount Silver: 10% Discount
University of Northern Iowa Robert L. Frank Scholarship - Counseling Scholarship 3.35 GPA in bachelor’s Students enrolled in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program
Other requirements:
-2 letter of recommendation
-Statement of purpose
-Demonstrate financial need
Varies
Norene A. Smith - School Counseling Scholarship Students enrolled in the School of Counseling are eligible Other requirements: -FAFSA Form -Essay -transcript copy Varies

Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA: Salaries

Clinical psychology jobs are most typically seen in the healthcare field, where they provide counseling services in hospitals, private clinics, psychotherapy centers, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities. Some Clinical Psychologists work as professors and researchers in academic environments. They may also work in specialized fields, the military, government agencies, private business groupings, and consulting firms.

It is expected that the United States will require 24,800 clinical psychologists over the next ten years. This estimate is based on the addition of 21,000 new clinical psychologists and the retirement of 3,800 old clinical psychologists.

The graduates of MA in Clinical Psychology in the USA have an average annual salary of 57,000 USD (47.21 lakhs INR) while those with an MS in Clinical Psychology may earn an average annual salary of 60,000 USD (49.69 lakhs INR). With years of experience, the salary may go beyond 100,000 USD (82.83 lakhs INR) per annum. Given below is the trend of annual salaries based on years of experience.

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Top Paying Job Profiles for graduates with Masters in Clinical Psychology degree in the USA:

Job Role Average Salary (USD) Average Salary (INR)
Clinical Psychologist 68,378 57.09 lakhs
Clinical Coordinator 56,320 47.02 lakhs
Mental Health Clinician 53,334 44.53 lakhs
Clinical Therapist 50,985 42.57 lakhs
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor 50,368 42.05 lakhs
Psychotherapist 44,249 36.94 lakhs
Mental Health Counselor 43,580 36.38 lakhs
Mental Health Therapist 43,450 36.27 lakhs
Marriage/Family Therapist 42,733 35.68 lakhs

Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA: Return on Investment

The below table shows the return of return for universities offering MA or MS in Clinical Psychology in the USA:

University Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Annual Salary (USD)
Northwestern University 1,29,300 87,000
Pepperdine University 64,185 80,000
University of Tulsa 52,947 76,000
University of Central Florida 71,640 68,000
Wheaton College 38,880 67,000
Vanguard University of Southern California 54,120 64,000
Clayton State University 44,136 64,000
Eastern Illinois University 28,446 64,000
University of Northern Iowa 29,432 63,000

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The above line graph shows that the University of Northwestern, Iowa bears the highest percentage of ROI of 214% after completing an MA in Clinical Psychology in the USA which points to the fact that the annual tuition fee is lower as compared to other universities, which is $29, 432 (INR 24.54 Lakhs) and the salary the students are receiving after the masters is much higher when compared to the amount they had invested.

Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA: University Comparison

Comparison of top 3 universities for masters of MA Clinical Psychology USA based on course duration, total fees, application fees, admission requirements, and average salary:

Basis Northwestern University University of Central Florida University of Tulsa
Program Duration 15 months 2 years 3 years
Total Tuition Fees 1,29,300 (INR 1,07, 83,295) 71,640 (INR 59,74,252) 1,58,841 (1,32,46,177 INR)
Application Fees 95 USD (INR 7922) 30 USD (INR 2501) 60 USD (INR 5003)
GPA Required 3.2 3.0 3.75
GMAT/GRE Scores Not Required Not Required Not Required
ELP Scores IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 90 IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL-iBT: 80 IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 70
Scholarships International Scholarships available International Scholarships available International Scholarships available
Average Salary 87,000 USD 68,000 USD 76,000

Entry-level Clinical Psychologists may expect to earn USD 65,000 per year, with mid-level earners making USD 80,000 per year on average. Psychologists with 10-20 years of experience may expect to earn USD 89,000 per year, while those in their late careers can expect to earn USD 98,000 per year.

FAQS

Ques. How do I get a Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA?

Ans. To be eligible for admission for Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA, the candidates must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 or 3.5 in bachelor’s and submit 2 to 3 letters of recommendation with SOPs. GRE scores are not considered for the session 2023.

Ques. How do I become a Clinical Psychologist in the US?

Ans. To become a clinical psychologist in USA, one must have a masters or doctoral degree in clinical psychology along with demonstrating completion or relevant training in the same field. After completion of training, the applicant may apply for a license to be able to practise as a clinical psychologist in USA.

Ques. Is GRE required for Masters in Psychology in USA?

Ans. Majority of the graduate schools in USA are not accepting GRE for admission to Masters in Clinical Psychology in USA. However, some universities may ask for GRE scores as an optional requirement that would improve a candidate’s chances of admission.

Ques. How much does it cost to study Masters in Psychology in USA?

Ans. The Masters in Clinical Psychology program in USA may cost somewhere between 25,000 USD- 60,000 USD (20.70 lakhs - 49.69 lakhs INR) for international students.

Ques. What Can You Do With a Master's in Psychology?

Ans. The graduates of Masters in Psychology may either look for high paying job roles in USA or pursue doctorate degrees in public health, education, anthropology, etc.

Ques. How long is Masters in Psychology in USA?

Ans. The Masters in Psychology generally lasts from 2 to 3 years in USA as a full-time degree. Some universities in USA may also offer part-time masters in Psychology with a duration of 3 to 4 years.

Ques. Is it worth it to study Psychology in USA?

Ans. A psychology masters in USA is worth going for as it is one of the highest paying degrees with annual salaries ranging from 183,000 USD to 422,000 USD (1.51 lakhs to 3.48 lakhs INR) based on years of experience.

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