MS in Psychopharmacology Overview
If you are a licensed clinical psychologist and want to expand your toolbox, improve the mental health of your community, and make a difference for individuals suffering from a mental illness, it’s a smart move to earn your master’s of science in clinical psychopharmacology (MSCP). Clinical pharmacology interjects pharmaceutical science with behavioral science to address and manage mental health disorders. This online program will prepare you to add another dimension to your clinical practice by giving you the ability to prescribe psychotropic medications safely and effectively in states and federal jurisdictions with prescriptive authority. Your knowledge and clinical practice experience in psychopharmacological treatment, psychotropic medication, clinical trials and more contribute significantly to the development of mental health science.
In 1998, the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant established the nation's first postdoctoral MSCP program and has been on the forefront of preparing students for consulting practice and prescriptive authority (where permitted by law) in psychopharmacology ever since. The MSCP program is designated by the American Psychological Association (APA) as an Education and Training Program in Psychopharmacology for Prescriptive Authority.
The integration of pharmaceutical science in psychiatry paves the way for the development of targeted treatments for such as anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders among many others. Medical school students from the clinical pharmacology program are trained to enter clinical psychiatry and responsibly prescribe psychiatric medication. Students will feel sufficiently knowledgeable to engage in collaborative assessment and treatment planning with prescribing psychologists.
Program Highlights
Join an Innovative Program
CSPP is an incubator for clinical psychopharmacology. With the integration of medication, management, and biopsychosocial treatment, the MS in clinical psychopharmacology program is designed to help psychologists across the country become even better mental health professionals and health care providers.
Earn Your Master’s Online
The MSCP program is offered online in ten eight-week terms, with a schedule designed for the working professional. As well as online courses, you'll participate in community-based practicum where you will dive deeper into the issues central to the clinical demands, engage in collaborative assessment, and use resources to obtain evidence-based information on medications and treatment guidelines.
Do More for Your Patients
Clinical psychopharmacology is now recognized as a specialty by the APA. As a licensed psychologist with an MS in clinical psychopharmacology, or MSCP, you will be prepared to reach practical conclusions, make clinical decisions, oversee the mental health treatment for your patients, and ensure that they are receiving the correct medicine, if authorized.
Admissions
Learn About Admissions Requirements
Faculty
Get to Know Our Diverse Faculty
Degree Information
Links and Downloads
APA Model Legislation for Prescriptive Authority
APA Practice Guidelines Regarding Psychologists’ Involvement in Pharmacological Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What scholarship and financial aid options are available?
Private and public scholarships can help you meet the cost of your education, and Alliant offers institutional scholarships for many of our students. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work study, and military aid. Learn more in our Financial Options Guide.
Does this program lead to licensure for psychotropic prescription?
The overall goals of the program are to educate practicing psychologists to work collaboratively with other health care professionals who prescribe medication, to integrate psychotropic medication and its management in treatment of behavioral and mental disorders, and to prescribe safely and effectively in states and federal agencies that allow psychologists to prescribe. California does not currently grant prescriptive authority to psychologists through a psychopharmacology program, while other states have granted prescriptive authority to psychologists as part of their licensure process. Students interested in gaining prescriptive authority in a specific state should contact the MSCP program director to discuss any additional requirements that may need to be completed to become eligible for licensure as a prescribing/medical psychologist.
When does the clinical psychopharmacology postdoctoral MS degree program start?
The program is offered in ten eight-week terms and is open for enrollment during each of those enrollment periods. You can find a copy of our eight-week term academic calendar here.
How long does it take to complete the clinical psychopharmacology MS degree program?
The clinical psychopharmacology postdoctoral MS online degree is a 30-credit program and requires a minimum of ten eight-week terms to complete. Apply for the master’s in psychopharmacology today.
Can I enroll in individual courses at Alliant?
Alliant only offers full academic programs. If you're interested in taking individual courses, or specific courses for licensure, we recommend exploring our Lifelong Learning and Professional Development program, which may offer what you need. You can contact them directly at ce@vbj4.com for more information.
Why Alliant
At Alliant, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve lives. We offer an education that is accredited, focused on practical knowledge and skills, connected with diverse faculty and alumni, and aimed at the student experience.
Why CSPP
Founded in 1969, CSPP was one of the nation’s first independent schools of professional psychology. Today, CSPP continues its commitment to preparing the next generation of mental health professionals through graduate-level degree programs in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, clinical counseling, organizational psychology, psychopharmacology, and more.
