Clinical psychology is the study of science, theory and clinical knowledge used to diagnose and prevent psychological diseases. The field relies on psychological assessment, psychotherapy, research, consultation, and forensics to provide life-saving therapies to patients. Clinical psychologists are considered experts in providing psychotherapy, psychological testing, and in diagnosing mental illness. The field is generally broken up into four tenants, including psychodynamic, humanistic, behavior therapy/cognitive behavioral, and family therapy.
Master’s programs in Clinical Psychology explore the ground-breaking theories and practices of assessing and treating dysfunctional behavior, including clinical interviewing and interventions, testing and assessment, research methods, psychopathology, and diagnosis. Programs usually include course work, residency, and field training practicums. Courses include Orientation to Graduate Learning in Psychology, Lifespan Development, Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology, Tests and Measurements, Inferential Statistics, Research Methods, and Introduction to Psychopathology. Perquisites include a minimum GPA, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and bachelor’s degree. Graduates of these programs work in private practice, mental health clinics, small and large hospitals, and as professors in psychology departments. As mental health issues continue to be an accepted condition that should be treated, clinical psychologists will be increasingly in demand.
