List of Top Online Clinical Psychopharmacology Degrees

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Clinical psychopharmacology is a branch of neuroscience that studies how to use medications to treat mental health disorders. Earning a master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology allows practicing psychologists to provide patients with a broader spectrum of care.

With this post-doctoral degree, the practicing clinical psychologist may be able to prescribe psychotropic medications to some patients who need them to treat their mental health disorder. Not all states allow psychologists to prescribe drugs, so it is critical to check with your state regulatory board before earning this degree.

Below are the available online master’s programs available in clinical psychopharmacology.

Schools On This Page

  • The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  • Alliant International University
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University
  • University of Hawaii

#1 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers a Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology that educates students who want to understand psychopharmacology and medical conditions that affect mental health

You will learn how to enhance your current competencies in diagnosis, assessment, and intervention. Further, you will participate in case-based learning that will improve your collaborative practice skills.

This accredited program uses online teaching techniques and applied case-based learning to train you to integrate modern medical approaches into client care. The MS program has 31 course credit hours and a research project.

  • Institution type: Private, non-profit
  • Delivery method: Online
  • Headquarters: Chicago
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Degrees offered: Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology
  • Expected total tuition: Inquire
  • Prerequisites: Doctoral degree in clinical psychology preferred; or submit a transcript of any doctoral coursework completed.
  • Visit school: Click Here

#2 Alliant International University

Alliant International University offers an online Master of Science in Psychopharmacology. It was the first of its kind in the US and has been a leader of preparing students for prescriptive authority for 20 years.

This program will prepare licensed psychologists to safely and effectively prescribe psychotropic medications in the states where this activity is allowed. Students may want to consider earning this degree if they want to make a major impact on people suffering from serious mental illnesses.

This program is fully online and can be completed in three years. Required courses include Clinical Biochemistry, Neuroscientific Basis of Psychopharmacology, Clinical Medicine: Pathophysiology, and Clinical Pharmacology.

  • Institution type: Private, for-profit
  • Delivery method: Online
  • Headquarters: San Diego
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Degrees offered: Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology
  • Expected total tuition: $970 per credit hour
  • Prerequisites: Doctoral degree in psychology.
  • Visit school: Click here

#3 Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology. The program features 10 classes that are designed for licensed psychologists who want to expand their knowledge of the field.

The core courses offer the foundational science needed to understand pathophysiology, neuroscience, and pharmacology for clinical psychology applications. The academic courses conclude with several treatment classes that address certain types of mental disorders and relevant psychopharmacological issues.

There also is a clinical practicum elective for psychologists who want to practice managing psychopharmacology under clinical supervision.

  • Institution type: Private, non-profit
  • Delivery method: Online
  • Headquarters: Teaneck, New Jersey
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Degrees offered: Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology
  • Expected total tuition: $16,350
  • Prerequisites: Doctoral degree in psychology.
  • Visit school: Click here

#4 University of Hawaii

The University of Hawaii offers a Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology that provides training for clinical psychologists to safely and effectively prescribe psychotropics as part of their clinical practice.

All didactic classes are offered online at the University of Hawaii. Some courses, such as the biochemical basis of therapeutics and human physiology, are provided to students as pre-recorded lectures that can be viewed online. There also are some onsite workshops required to complete the program.

There is a practicum component conducted at a clinical site on the island of Oahu.

  • Delivery method: Hybrid
  • Headquarters: Honolulu
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Degrees offered: Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology
  • Expected total tuition: $23,472 resident, $53,136 non-resident
  • Prerequisites: Doctoral degree in psychology.
  • Visit school: Click here

Benefits of Earning Your Clinical Psychopharmacology Online

When you already are a practicing clinical psychologist, earning your master’s in clinical psychopharmacology online has many benefits. Consider:

  • You can attend your master’s program from any location. No matter where you reside in the country or world, you can get your degree from your office or from your home.
  • Seldom visit a classroom. With an online master’s program, you may not have even to visit a classroom during the entire program.
  • Get your post-doctoral degree while you work. Most clinical psychologists are busy professionals and do not want to stop working while earning their clinical psychopharmacology degree.
  • Some recorded and live classes. Depending on the master’s program you choose, you may have some live and recorded classes. Live classes can be beneficial for some subjects and allow more interaction with students and professors. But the convenience of recorded classes enables you to view them on your own time.
  • Smartphone access. Whichever master’s program you select, you can access both live and recorded class sessions with your smartphone. You can really get your education anywhere. If you lack Internet access at some point, you usually can download classes to your phone and watch them locally.
  • Multiple channels to communicate with professors. Most professors in these programs can be accessed by chat, email, and message board.

Accreditation

Accreditation is an important part of your master’s program in clinical psychopharmacology. Accreditation tells you that the school has met high standards of quality. As a clinical psychologist, you want to be certain that your master’s program is up to date with the most current pharmacological knowledge.

As you consider which university to attend, it is important to check that the educational institution is accredited regionally by the US Department of Education. The regional accreditation agencies that are recognized by the Department of Education are:

  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Higher Learning Commission
  • Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities, Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

Conclusion

Earning your master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology is important for clinical psychologists who want to provide the best and most expansive care to their patients. When you are able to prescribe drugs to your patients, you offer every avenue in your office for your patients to improve their mental health conditions.

*Indicates school is a Featured Partner. Click here for disclosure on Featured Partners.