MA in Clinical Psychology is a 2 years postgraduate course where a student needs to complete 4 semesters. The primary objective of clinical psychology is to address the emotional, mental, and behavioural disorders. Clinical psychology is designed in such a way that it would integrate the different aspects of psychology while treating the different types of complicated human issues.
The MA Clinical Psychology course features different types of subjects such as behavioral modification, personality psychology, applied clinical thesis, clinical neuropsychology medicine, etc. In this blog, we will discuss everything about the MA Clinical Psychology course.
Name of the Course | MA Clinical Psychology |
Level | Post Graduate |
Duration | 2-year |
Full Form | Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology |
Admission Process | Merit-Based and Entrance Exam |
Eligibility | B.A in Clinical Psychology |
Job Designations | Counselling Psychologist, Community Relations Officer, Psychiatric Assistant, Child Support Specialist, Educational Psychologist, Industrial Psychologist, Research Psychologist, etc |
This Blog Includes:
- Why Study MA in Clinical Psychology?
- What are the Different Types of MA Clinical Psychology?
- What Skills Do You Need?
- MA Clinical Psychology Subjects and Syllabus
- Top Universities in the World for MA Clinical Psychology
- Eligibility Criteria
- Top Colleges in India for MA Clinical Psychology
- Admission Process
- Career Scope
- FAQs
Why Study MA in Clinical Psychology?
Sometimes students don’t know why they need to pursue MA in clinical psychology as they don’t have enough knowledge about the course. When you know the benefits of pursuing an MA in Clinical Psychology whether at an Indian university or an overseas institution, you will be able to sort things out easily. Here are the reasons why you should consider pursuing MA in Clinical Psychology:
- This course is extremely beneficial for students who want to research further for their studies such as Ph.D. and M.Phil.
- After you complete your graduation, you will be able to change people’s lives
- You will have numerous career opportunities in different fields such as child mental health, substance abuse treatment and health psychology.
- Clinical psychology is a specific field that will help you achieve new career heights.
What are the Different Types of MA Clinical Psychology?
Keep in mind that there are three different types of MA Clinical Psychology available for students. Aspirants can choose part-time, full-time, or Distance education modes. Here’s everything you need to know:
Full-Time
The full-time MA Clinical Psychology program is for 2 years and the candidates need to attend the classes physically, write relevant assignments, and complete their exams from the campus itself. The best benefit of pursuing full-time Clinical Psychology is that the candidates will be able to gain a lot of experience, exposure, and knowledge.
Also Read: Career in Psychology
Part-Time
The part-time program is also for 2 years and is designed for students who are unable to attend classes regularly. Depending on the courses you choose, the part-time program might either occur on weekends or at night. The best advantage of a part-time course is that students can go through the beneficial course materials while also staying engaged in research, employment, etc.
Distance Learning
This is another great MS Clinical Psychology course you can choose for your career. Many institutions in India as well as abroad provide distance learning for students who want to pursue their MA in Clinical Psychology. This course is perfect for students who are unable to attend classes or have a full-time job. If you cannot devote full-time, make sure you choose a distance learning MA Clinical Psychology course. Here are the best colleges for distance education:
College Name | Admission | Location | Duration |
Andhra University | Entrance exams and merit-based | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | 2-year |
Osmania University | Merit-based | Hyderabad, Telangana | 2-year |
IGNOU | Merit-based | New Delhi | 2-year |
What Skills Do You Need?
If you want to become a successful clinical psychologist after completing your MA, you need to make sure you’re developing the crucial skills. Some of the most important skills that you need to learn while pursuing your MA Clinical Psychology degree are:
- Communication Skills
- Patience
- Analytical Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Compassion and Passion
Also Read: PhD in Psychology
MA Clinical Psychology Subjects and Syllabus
If you have plans to complete your MA Clinical Psychology degree from a reputed university, you also need to go through extensive syllabi as well as subjects. Even though the course curriculum within the syllabus is also identical, you might notice some variations depending on the university you’re choosing. Here are some of the subjects that a candidate needs to study during their course curriculum.
- Personality
- Psychometrics
- Cognitive Psychology
- Mental Abilities
- Principles and Applications of Counselling
- Physiological Psychology
- Life Span Human Development
Top Universities in the World for MA Clinical Psychology
If you want to achieve new heights in your career, you need to make sure you’re pursuing your MA in Clinical Psychology degree from a reputed university in the world. Your future prospects and career growth will have a massive impact on the college you choose. Here are the top universities in the world for MA in Clinical Psychology:
QS Ranking 2023 | University Name | Country |
1 | Harvard University | USA |
2 | University of Oxford | UK |
3 | University of Cambridge | UK |
4 | Stanford University | USA |
5 | UCL | UK |
6 | Yale University | USA |
7 | Columbia University | USA |
8 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | USA |
9 | University of California | USA |
10 | University of Amsterdam | Netherlands |
Eligibility Criteria
If you have plans to complete your MA in Clinical Psychology overseas, you need to make sure you have a great academic background as well as the essential skills. Apart from science, you also need to have a strong understanding of maths.
Before you pursue your MA Clinical Psychology degree abroad, you need to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university as well as a robust statement of purpose. This way you will be able to showcase your desire to complete your education at the specific university.
You also need to score great marks on the GRE exam as well as on English Language Proficiency Tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
Must Read: Psychology Scholarships
Top Colleges in India for MA Clinical Psychology
If you’re among the students who want to pursue your MA Clinical Psychology degree at an Indian university, here are the top colleges you should consider.
Name of the College | Location | Fees |
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala, Punjab | INR 1.13 Lakh |
Tata Institute of Social Science | Mumbai, Maharashtra | INR 66,500 |
Amity University | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | INR 1.20 Lakh |
Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University | Chandigarh | INR 53,200 |
Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda | Vadodara, Gujarat | INR 8,360 |
Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda | Raipur, Chhattisgarh | INR 4,855 |
Ambedkar University | Kashmiri Gate, Delhi | INR 64,000 |
Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | INR 80,000 |
Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | INR 28,711 |
Jagran Lakecity University | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | INR 80,000 |
Admission Process
Keep in mind that the admission process for MA Clinical Psychology will be conducted on a merit basis, depending on the college you’re choosing. On the other hand, some colleges might also require entrance tests. You will be offered a position by the college depending on your marks obtained in the entrance exams.
Eligibility Criteria
If you have plans to complete your MA Clinical Psychology course from one of the best Indian colleges, you need to ensure you’re fulfilling the eligibility criteria. The cut-off of the minimum marks will also depend on the college.
- The students need to have a BA degree in Psychology
- The students need to score more than 55% marks in their bachelor’s degree from a reputed university or college
- Some specific colleges, as well as universities, conduct the admission process through entrance exams
Career Scope
After completing your MA in Clinical Psychology, you will be able to leverage the benefits of higher career opportunities. Depending on your job designation, country, and experience, you will receive higher salary packages. But keep in mind that the university or college you choose will also have a massive impact on your employability.
Best Jobs After MA in Clinical Psychology
Here are the best jobs you can receive after completing your graduation. The best jobs you can get after MA Clinical Psychology are:
- Educational Psychologist
- Child Care Worker
- Counselling Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Health Educator
- Neuropsychologist
- Psychiatric Assistant
- Forensic Psychologist
Salary (Country-Wise)
When you complete your education at a prestigious university, you will be able to bag high-paying job offers. Here’s a table that would help you understand the salary of a candidate after completing MA Clinical Psychology.
Country | Average Salary |
USA | USD 68,000 (INR 56 Lakh) |
UK | GBP 45,000 (INR 45 Lakh) |
Canada | CAD 104,793 (INR 63 Lakh) |
Australia | AUD 110,798 (INR 67 Lakh) |
India | INR 3.9 Lakh |
FAQs
No, a clinical psychologist won’t fall under a doctorial category. This is one of the most important things you need to remember. However, when you successfully obtain your Master’s degree and receive your license, you will be able to practice in hospitals.
MA is undoubtedly better than MSc in Clinical Psychology. This is because MSC is focused on research whereas, MA is focused on arts and humanities perspectives of psychology.
Lightner Witmer is the father of clinical psychology.
This is everything you need to know about MA Clinical Psychology. If you have any questions, make sure you let us know. Do you have plans to continue your study abroad journey at a prestigious university? Don’t forget to contact Leverage Edu. Call us on 1800 57 2000 today for a 30-minute free counselling session.