Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology that provides mental health services to individuals, families, and communities. It is an amalgamation of social science and clinical practices for understanding and solving mental health issues.
Although both psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are mental health professionals, there are slight differences between the two professions regarding education, training, and scope of practice.
The United States will require 24,800 clinical psychologists over the next ten years. This prediction is based on adding 21,000 new clinical psychologists and retiring 3,800 senior psychologists.
Graduates in clinical psychology can currently expect to earn between 25,000 USD and 100,000 USD, or around 18 to 73 lakhs, in the United States.
A clinical psychologist generally gets a bachelor’s degree in the biological field and then pursues a doctoral program in clinical psychology.
Why Study Clinical Psychology in the USA?
Students who earn a degree in clinical psychology learn how to identify mental illnesses, administer cutting-edge research, and treat and prevent mental health diseases.
In addition to having some of the most prominent institutions and colleges in the world, the United States offers a wide variety of master's degrees. The average yearly pay for psychologists was USD 82,180. You should be aware of the following fascinating facts:
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Talk to an Expert- In the United States, there are currently 147,500 clinical psychologists.
- The job market for clinical psychologists is anticipated to expand by 14.2% between 2016 and 2026.
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of psychologists will increase by 14% between 2018 and 28.
Top Clinical Psychology University in the USA: Global Ranking
The top clinical psychology universities in the US are listed below with Global Ranking.
|
Rank |
University |
|
1 |
Harvard University |
|
2 |
Stanford University |
|
5 |
University of California, Berkeley |
|
6 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
|
8 |
Yale University |
|
10 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|
11 |
University of Pennsylvania |
|
12 |
Columbia University |
|
13 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
|
14 |
Princeton University |
Top Clinical Psychology University in the USA: Bachelor of Clinical Psychology
A bachelor's degree in psychology is generally intended to provide broader acquaintance with different fields of psychology instead of a specialization in a particular field. This program also makes graduates eligible for professional programs such as Juris Doctor, Public Accountant, and MBA. Students who wish to specialize in a particular domain of psychology are required to take graduate-level programs.
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Programs are offered in both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science streams. The course duration, in either case, is 4 years, and the tuition fee for the program ranges from $24,000 to $56,000 per year.
|
University |
Program |
Course Duration |
|
University of California – Los Angeles |
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology |
4 years |
|
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill |
Bachelor of Science in Psychology |
4 years |
|
Stony Brook University - SUNY |
BA/BS in Psychology |
4 years |
|
University of California – Berkeley |
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology |
4 years |
|
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities |
Bachelor of Science in Psychology |
4 years |
|
University of Washington |
BA/BS in Psychology |
4 years |
|
The University of Wisconsin – Madison |
Bachelor of Science in Psychology |
4 years |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology |
4 years |
|
Indiana University – Bloomington |
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychological Science |
4 years |
|
Pennsylvania State University – University Park |
BA/BS in Psychology |
4 years |
Academic Requirement
- Completion of a high school degree
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or more
English Language Requirement
- A TOEFL score of 80 to 100 overall
- An IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.5 overall
- A DUOLINGO score of 105 to 115
Documents Required
- Transcript
- English Language Test Scores
- SAT or ACT scores
- Essay
- Letter of Recommendations
Top Clinical Psychology University in the USA: Bachelor of Clinical Psychology (Tuition fees)
|
University |
Tuition Fee |
|
University of California – Los Angeles |
$42,217 |
|
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill |
$36,158 |
|
Stony Brook University - SUNY |
$24,990 |
|
University of California – Berkeley |
$44,008 |
|
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities |
$28,262 |
|
University of Washington |
$51,982 |
|
University of Wisconsin – Madison |
$39,608 |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
$56,212 |
|
Indiana University – Bloomington |
$39,118 |
|
Pennsylvania State University – University Park |
$$36,476 |
Top Clinical Psychology University in the USA: Master of Clinical Psychology
Very few universities in the USA offer a Master's degree in psychology. The MS in Psychology offered by the University of Wisconsin is only offered as an add-on program for PhD students and is not a standalone program.
Here is a sample for Statement of purpose (SOP) sample for Psychology
The course duration is 1 to 2 years for a master’s program.
|
University |
Program |
Course Duration |
|
Stony Brook University - SUNY |
MA in Psychology |
1-year |
|
University of Wisconsin – Madison |
Master of Science in Psychology |
1 year |
|
Pennsylvania State University – University Park |
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology |
2 years |
Academic Requirement
- A 4-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.5
English Language Requirement
- A minimum TOEFL score of 85 to 100 overall
- An IELTS score of 7.0 to 7.5 overall
Documents Required
- Transcript
- English Language Test Scores
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Curriculum Vitae
Top Clinical Psychology University in the USA: Master of Clinical Psychology (Tuition fees)
|
University |
Tuition Fee |
|
Stony Brook University - SUNY |
$25,626 |
|
University of Wisconsin – Madison |
$25,504 |
|
Pennsylvania State University – University Park |
$23,018 |
Top Clinical University in the USA: PhD in Clinical Psychology
A doctoral program in clinical psychology covers all the essential courses and field practicals to become a licensed clinical psychologist in the United States.
The course duration is generally 6 years, and the tuition fee for the program ranges from $25,000 to $50,000 per year.
|
University |
Program |
Course Duration |
|
University of California – Los Angeles |
PhD in Clinical Psychology |
6 years |
|
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill |
PhD in Clinical Psychology |
6 years |
|
Stony Brook University - SUNY |
PhD in Clinical Psychology |
6 years |
|
University of California – Berkeley |
PhD in Psychology: Clinical Science |
4 – 6 years |
|
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities |
PhD in Psychology: Clinical Science and Psychopathology |
6 years |
|
University of Washington |
PhD in Psychology: Clinical Psychology |
6 years |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
PhD in Clinical Psychology |
6 years |
|
University of Pittsburgh |
PhD in Psychology: Clinical Psychology |
6 years |
|
Harvard University |
PhD in Psychology: Clinical Psychology |
6 years |
|
Indiana University – Bloomington |
PhD in Psychology: Clinical Science |
6 years |
Academic Requirement
- A 4-year bachelor’s or master's degree in a relevant field
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.5
English Language Requirement
- A minimum TOEFL score of 85 to 100 overall
- An IELTS score of 7.0 to 7.5 overall
Documents Required
- Transcript
- English Language Test Scores
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Writing Samples
- Curriculum Vitae
Top Clinical University in the USA: PhD in Clinical Psychology (Tuition fees)
|
University |
Tuition Fee |
|
University of California – Los Angeles |
$26,544 |
|
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill |
$30,240 |
|
Stony Brook University - SUNY |
$25,626 |
|
University of California – Berkeley |
$35,350 |
|
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities |
$27,612 |
|
University of Washington |
$30,912 |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
$39,838 |
|
University of Pittsburgh |
$40,894 |
|
Harvard University |
$50,928 |
|
Indiana University – Bloomington |
$26,098 |
Top Clinical Psychology University in the USA: Scholarships
It might be quite expensive to study in the US. Therefore, students should plan to reduce expenses as much as possible in the United States. Various international scholarships are available in the United States, provided by various universities.
Additional outside scholarships are also available to assist overseas students with their expenses. A few of the available scholarships are as follows:
|
The University Name |
Award |
Amount |
|
University of Colorado – Boulder |
CU Boulder Chancellor's Achievement Scholarship |
$6250 per year for four years |
|
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities |
Psychology Engagement Awards |
$500 |
|
Mortensen Travel & Research Awards |
$500 |
|
|
Donald G. Paterson Academic Scholarships in Psychology |
$1000 |
|
|
University of Pennsylvania |
The Christopher Peterson Memorial Fellowship |
50% of the tuition fee |
|
Indiana University – Bloomington |
Jesse H. and Beulah ChanleyCox Engagement, Research, and Legacy Scholarships |
100% of the total cost of attendance |
|
Hutton Honors College Scholarship |
$1000 to $4000 per year up to 4 year |
Top Clinical Psychologist University in the USA: Career and Job Scopes
Universities, government or industrial research and development labs, government or business training programs, industries such as industrial or organizational psychologists, mental health facilities, hospitals, clinics, or private practice hire graduates of an undergraduate or postgraduate program.
The average salary of a Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology in the USA is $60,000 per year.
Clinical psychologist pay ranges are very wide and depend on many different factors. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that clinical psychologists make an average yearly compensation of USD 76,000. Location, experience, and expertise all affect the actual salary.
Entry-level clinical psychologists can anticipate making USD 65,000 annually, with mid-level earners making an average of USD 80,000. Psychologists in their late careers should anticipate making USD 98,000 annually, while those with 10 to 20 years of experience can expect to make USD 89,000.
|
Roles |
Range of Salary |
Average Salary |
|
Clinical Psychologist |
$60,000 - $119,000 |
$87,335 |
|
Mental Health Therapist |
$34,000 - $66,000 |
$46,719 |
|
Psychotherapist |
$53,000 - $110,000 |
$71,174 |
|
Research Analyst |
$46,000 - $82,000 |
$62,086 |
|
School Counselor |
$31,000 - $52,000 |
$40,378 |
|
Mental Health Clinician |
$71,000 - $128,000 |
$95,264 |
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
$46,000 - $73,000 |
$58,039 |
Most clinical psychologists work in the healthcare industry, offering counselling services in hospitals, private practices, psychotherapy clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centres.
In academic settings, some clinical psychologists have positions as professors and researchers. They might also be employed by specialized industries, the government, commercial companies, and consulting firms.
