Clinical Psychopharmacology Postdoctoral MS Program
NEXT PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY COHORT STARTS JANUARY 2013
FOLLOW THE LEADER
In 1998, the California School of Professional Psychology established the nation’s first Postdoctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology, and we have maintained that leadership position ever since. Over 500 psychologists in 40 states have graduated from or are currently enrolled in our program, which integrates medication and its management in the biopsychosocial treatment of mental disorders.
WHY EVERY PSYCHOLOGIST NEEDS THIS TRAINING
The program prepares licensed psychologists to prescribe safely and effectively in states and Federal jurisdictions where they have prescriptive authority. What if you don’t practice in a state with that authority? There are several compelling reasons to study psychopharmacology:
- To improve your practice
- To better answer patient questions about medication
- To collaborate with your patients’ primary care physician in prescriptive treatment of mental disorders
- To support the movement to gain prescription authority.
MAKING PROGRESS, GATHERING SPEED
The trend to integrate biological and psychological treatments has made great strides and is gathering momentum.
- New Mexico, Louisiana and Guam now grant prescriptive authority to psychologists.
- The federal government authorizes psychologists to prescribe in an increasing number of settings, including the Department of Defense and the Indian Health Service.
- There is significant progress in other states and federal agencies.
EARN YOUR DEGREE AT HOME ON WEEKENDS
Perfectly tailored to active practitioners, the Clinical Psychopharmacology MS is fully online. Attend class anywhere you have a DSL or cable Internet connection. We deliver content and communicate through two online platforms:
- Elluminate, which brings students and instructor together in real time using video and audio capabilities.
- Moodle, an e-Education platform on which course materials such as presentation slides, instructors’ class notes, exam study guides, take-home exams and readings are posted for access before, during and after each class.
SAMPLE ONE COURSE FOR CREDIT
Most courses earn APA-approved* Continuing Education credit. If you’re not ready to commit to the entire 28-month program, take the first course on a free-standing Continuing Education basis. Upon successful course completion, you can transfer into the program and apply the cost of the CE toward your program tuition. Learn more about this option.
LEARN MORE ABOUT US
Explore the Clinical Psychopharmacology Postdoctoral MS Program in detail.
Data tables and graduation rates are available for national cohorts of the CSPP Clinical Psychopharmacology Postdoctoral MS Program at Alliant International University. To receive a copy of this data, please email psychopharm@alliant.edu.
MAJOR MILESTONES IN A PIONEERING PROGRAM
- At the 2004 convention of the American Psychological Association (APA), two Alliant administrators were recognized as “pioneers” in postdoctoral psychopharmacology education.
- On February 18, 2005, Clinical Psychopharmacology MS graduate (and current faculty member) John Bolter, PhD, became the first civilian psychologist to write a prescription.
- In 2010, the APA Monitor featured our work to enable psychologists to prescribe in the Indian Health Service.





