What is Clinical Psychology? Clinical psychology is psychology’s largest subspecialty. It stems from the groundbreaking work of Sigmund Freud, but modern clinical psychology extends far beyond Freudian dream interpretation and the psychoanalyst’s couch. Clinical psychology today is characterized by great diversity in philosophy and practice. Every clinical psychologist has a unique view of human thought and behavior. Many accept Freudian principles, but these principles are by no means dominant. For example, some clinical psychologists apply behaviorist treatments to symptoms of autism, and others use cognitive psychology to support an athlete’s performance. Eclectic treatments are common too; a struggling student might be helped with a blend of talk therapy, cognitive psychology, and behaviorist rewards and punishments. Clinicians today work not only in private offices but also in corporations, correctional institutions, hospitals, schools, and a wide range of other settings. They work with individuals, couples, small groups, and large organizations. What occupations are available to clinical psychologists? Clinical psychologists are trained to research, assess, and treat psychological problems. For example, a clinician who is interested in eating disorders could do any or all of the following: conduct a study of the most effective eating disorder therapies; assess whether a child has an eating disorder; and provide both individual and family therapy to help overcome the destructive behavior. Some other examples include counseling clients at smoking cessation clinics, determining the causes of a student’s poor performance, and studying refugees’ psychological adjustment to an American city. A minority of practitioners are especially focused upon problem prevention. They are engaged in activities such as designing character development curricula for schools, facilitating workshops in non-violent communication, and promoting healthy body images among adolescents. What types of degrees are available in clinical psychology? In the United States, students generally invest in four to six years of advanced training in order to become clinical psychologists. There are also opportunities to become a licensed clinician through two or three years of master’s training. In any case, licensure requires graduating from an accredited degree program, completing an internship, and passing one or more state tests. The American Psychological Association recognizes two types of degrees beyond the master’s. The Ph.D. is designed to have a research focus, and the Psy.D. places more emphasis upon practice. Which schools offer degrees in clinical psychology? Hundreds of schools offer high-quality graduate training in clinical psychology. Prospective students should first narrow the list by considering their own therapeutic orientation; since clinical psychology takes many forms, it is important to make an informed choice between cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic, and systems/family therapy training programs. One of the most highly-regarded US schools is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). UIUC features a clinical/community psychology program; this combines more traditional clinical work with proactive, preventive work with communities. Meanwhile, Rutgers – another leading school — is primarily focused on cognitive-behavioral therapies. Because of the need for wide variability among programs, the American Psychological Association does not endorse rankings. However, a ranking of clinical graduate programs based on student test scores is provided by the Social Psychology Network, and links to each school are included.

Best Online Psychology Programs

B.S. in Psychology	Kaplan University - Bachelor’s Degrees. Kaplan University offers students a chance to go back to school and earn their Bachelor's degree in Psychology. With convenient and affordable classes, students have never had an easier chance to go back to school.
B.S. in Psychology	Ashford University - Bachelor's Degrees. Ashford University offers degrees online in the fast growing field of Psychology. Students going to school on a budget will be able to afford the classes offered Ashford.
B.S. in Psychology M.S. in Psychology Ph.D. in Org. Psychology	University of Phoenix - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctoral Degrees. With the largest variety of Psychology degree levels, the University of Phoenix has the degrees every Psychology studet is seeking. Students can jump start their career at the University of Phoenix entirely online, or at select campus locations.
A.A. in Psychology B.S. in Psychology	Liberty University - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. Liberty University offers a variety of undergraduate level degrees in Psychology to students online. Liberty University is more than just an online college, it's a place where immerging minds can come together and get an exciting education.
B.A. in Psychology M.B.A in Org. Psychology	American InterContinental University - Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. American InterContinental University is an accredited online university that has been educating students for over 35 years. Students interested in obtaining a degree in Psychology will find the offerings at AIU right up their alley.
B.S. in Psychology M.S. in Psychology Ph.D. in School Psychology	Walden University - Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral Degrees. Using a dynamic and innovative curriculum, students graduating from Walden University are among the most prepared in the country when they enter the work force. Walden University uses a student-centric approach to learning to make sure that each student receives the tools necessary to be successful.
M.S. in Psychology Ph.D. in Psychology	Capella University - Master’s & Doctoral Degrees. Offering only high quality upper level Psychology degrees, students interested in continuing their education will want to attend Capella University. Capella University is home to some of the best faculty in the country and it shows with the number of graduates leaving to go on to great careers.
B.A. in Psychology M.A. in Organizational Psychology D. Ed. in Counsel Psychology	Argosy University Online - Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctoral Degrees. With multiple program offerings to accommodate any individual's schedule, Argosy University is one of the top choices for students with busy agendas or those who want to attain their degree quickly. Their curriculum provides students with the current and relevant skills needed to become successful practitioners.