Clinical Psychology involves the study of the human experience, specifically with respect to the human brain, memory, consciousness, language, personality, mental health, and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 13,000 openings each year on average over the decade.
As a result, psychology is often segmented to focus on different areas—such as developmental psychology, educational psychology, cognitive psychology, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, and others.
Within the broader field of psychology, clinical psychology is the largest specialty. Clinical psychologists held about 71,730 jobs nationally as of May 2023, with the largest concentrations in offices of mental health practitioners, hospitals, and outpatient care centers.
Most clinical psychologists hold a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) or a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. The Chicago School offers an APA-accredited Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with campuses in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Online, preparing students through coursework, supervised practicum, internship, and dissertation.
What is clinical psychology?
Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology focused on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Clinical psychologists assess clients through interviews, psychological testing, and observation, and they deliver treatment using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Common approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and integrative methods. Clinical psychologists may also specialize in areas such as clinical neuropsychology, clinical health psychology, forensic psychology, or child and adolescent psychology.
Unlike psychiatrists, clinical psychologists do not prescribe medication in most states. They work in hospitals, private practice, community mental health centers, schools, government agencies, and academic settings.
Learn more about what clinical psychology entails.
How long does it take to become a clinical psychologist?
Becoming a licensed clinical psychologist typically takes eight to 13 years after high school. This includes four years of undergraduate study, four to seven years of doctoral work (Psy.D. or Ph.D.), one year of supervised internship, and a postdoctoral year of supervised practice in most states.
The exact timeline depends on whether the doctoral program is full time or part time and on state-specific licensure requirements.,
How to become a clinical psychologist
To be a professional in the field of clinical psychology, there are some clear steps you need to follow.
Step 1: Complete a doctoral degree in clinical psychology
The first step in becoming a clinical psychologist is to complete a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. This level of education—either Ph.D. or Psy.D.—is often a necessary requirement to become a licensed clinical psychologist in all 50 states.
It is vital to research which schools are offering this course of study as well as other necessary program and application information. Then you can apply for the clinical psychology program that is best suited to your needs and interests. This could mean choosing a program based on location, length of the program, or offered specialties.
It’s important to note that you must have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree prior to pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. While these precursor degree programs do not necessarily need to be in psychology-specific fields, there should be demonstrated interest in the field before applying for a doctorate.
Some doctorate programs in clinical psychology will accept students with a bachelor’s degree; others may require a master’s degree in psychology or a related field.
Some schools offer master’s in clinical psychology programs; however, these may not necessarily qualify you to become a practicing clinical psychologist upon graduation. For licensure, a doctorate is required.
The Chicago School’s Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and at least 18 credit hours of psychology coursework. This doctoral program is APA-accredited. For state-specific licensure eligibility, refer to our licensure disclosures page.Â
Step 2: Complete clinical fieldwork and training
Practicums, internships, and other field training is an integral part of becoming a certified clinical psychologist. State licensures typically require between 1,500 and 6,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including both practicum hours during the doctoral program and a 1,500 to 2,000-hour predoctoral internship. APA-accredited programs structure these hours to meet most state board requirements as a clinical psychologist.
To achieve this, you’ll work closely with a clinical psychology professional, learn how they work directly with counseling patients, and create appropriate treatment plans. You’ll also collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Before you graduate from your master’s program, you may have already been required to complete some hours of clinical fieldwork. But depending on your area, these hours may or may not be counted toward a person’s requirement for practicum hours in your state.
Step 3: Apply for clinical psychology licensure in your practicing state
A degree does not qualify you as an official clinical psychologist. In order to practice, you must first achieve licensure and certifications depending on the requirements of the state in which you wish to practice.
Research the requirements to become certified in the state you live in and get the necessary documents in order. The requirements for most states include:
- Completion of a doctoral program (Ph.D. or Psy.D.)
- Complete a state-approved field internship and given number of fieldwork experience hours
- Pass a licensure Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Some states also require a jurisprudence exam covering state-specific psychology laws and ethics.
A state certification acts as proof that you have gone through the training and fieldwork required to practice counseling in your state. Be sure to check any local requirements, as they may vary.
Step 4: Pursue continuing education and maintain licensure
After obtaining licensure, it is a necessary requirement for psychologists in most states to complete continuing education (CE) courses to maintain their license.
Apart from maintaining certification, continuing education courses also expand a clinical psychologist’s knowledge base and offers increased awareness of current trends in the field.
Continuing education can also help advance a clinical psychologist’s career or lead them to pursue a different concentration.
How much do clinical psychologists earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical and counseling psychologists earned a median annual wage of $96,100 as of May 2023. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,820, and the highest 10% earned more than $168,870. Salary varies by setting, geographic location, years of experience, and specialization.
Top-paying industries for clinical and counseling psychologists include scientific research and development services, hospitals, and ambulatory healthcare services. Top-paying states include California, Alaska, Oregon, Hawaii, and Connecticut.
Becoming a licensed clinical psychologist requires doctoral education, supervised clinical training, and state licensure. The Chicago School offers an APA-accredited Psy.D. Clinical Psychology with campus options in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Dallas.
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