MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology

MS in Psychopharmacology Overview

Classes Start Jan 12. Apply Today!

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 of science in clinical psychopharmacology (MSCP). Clinical pharmacology integrates pharmaceutical science with behavioral science to treat and manage symptoms of mental health disorders. This online program, taught via live classes, will prepare you to add another dimension to your clinical practice by giving you the ability to consult with psychiatric prescribers about psychopharmacology, and prescribe psychotropic medications safely and effectively in states and federal jurisdictions which allow prescriptive authority for psychologists. Your knowledge and clinical practice experience in the use of psychotropic medications will 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 its MSCP has been at the forefront of preparing students for consulting practice and prescriptive authority (where permitted by law) in psychopharmacology ever since. Alliant’s MSCP program is designated by the American Psychological Association (APA) as an Education and Training Program in Psychopharmacology for Prescriptive Authority.

The integration of pharmacotherapy with psychology paves the way for the development of targeted treatments for depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, ADHD, and substance use disorders, among many others. MSCP graduates will feel sufficiently knowledgeable to engage in collaborative assessment and treatment planning with prescribing clinicians and responsibly prescribe psychiatric medications where allowed by law. 
 

Program Highlights

Tuition Reduction

Alliant recently reduced tuition for our online MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology to just over $20,000.

Pioneers in the Prescriptive Authority Movement

Since 1998, Alliant’s MSCP has graduated more students than any other MSCP program -as of 2025, nearly 700 students have obtained its MSCP, many of whom became prescribing psychologists in various states and federal facilities. 

Unique, Online Program

Two-thirds or more of the 450 lecture hours are delivered ‘live’ via online video platforms like Zoom. This allows interactions with the professors  that closely resemble a traditional classroom environment. Live environment allows students to ask questions and receive real-time learning support to master medical material and discuss clinical case examples.By contrast, most other MSCP programs utilize asynchronous (prerecorded) lectures for most or all of the 450 classroom hours.

Cohort and Class Engagement

The live environment also allows much for student interaction, including group activities. Programs opportunities that mostly utilize asynchronous instruction offer few opportunities for group-based learning.

Broad-based, Expert Faculty

Faculty in the MSCP program include physicians, nurse practitioners, prescribing psychologists, prescribing pharmacists, clinical psychologists, and neuroscientists. The faculty  represents nearly every profession involved in psychiatric prescribing, thus broadening the exposure of our students to various perspectives and prescribing approaches.

Doctoral Students Can Pursue Our Program Concurrently

Alliant’s MSCP is currently one of only two MSCP’s which accept students at the doctoral level, meaning students can concurrently complete their doctoral program in health service psychology (like clinical or counseling) with Alliant’s MSCP program. This can reduce the time toward completion of both programsby as much as two years. 

No Residency Required

The MSCP program at Alliant does not require any residency and has no on-site requirement during any portion of the MSCP studies.

Join an Innovative Program

CSPP is an incubator for clinical psychopharmacology. The MSCP faculty are highly accomplished as clinicians and researchers. With the integration of medication management and biopsychosocial treatment into psychological and behavioral care, the MS in clinical psychopharmacology program is designed to help psychologists across the country become better mental health professionals, providing more comprehensive care.

Earn Your Master’s Online with Two Starts Per Year

The MSCP program is offered online in ten eight-week terms, with classes starting in January and August, with a schedule designed for the working professional. All live classes are held on weekends. In addition to completing the 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 and skills to obtain evidence-based information on medications and treatment guidelines.

Do More for Your Patients

Clinical psychopharmacology, an intersection of knowledge in psychology and medicine, 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.

Do More for Your Patients with Psychopharmacology

Admissions

Learn About Admissions Requirements

Faculty

Get to Know Our Diverse Faculty

Program Director, Clinical Psychopharmacology

Dr. George Kapalka
george.kapalka@alliant.edu

Degree Information

Links and Downloads

School Performance Fact Sheet

APA Designation Criteria for Education and Training Programs in Psychopharmacology for Prescriptive Authority

APA Model Legislation for Prescriptive Authority

APA Practice Guidelines Regarding Psychologists’ Involvement in Pharmacological Issues 

Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP) 

APA Division 55: Society for Prescribing Psychology

Who is this Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology designed for?

The Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology is designed for professionals who want to expand their practice with knowledge of psychotropic drug treatments and their effects on patients. This program integrates advanced coursework, hands-on training, and clinical research to prepare students for roles in mental health and pharmacological treatment. This program can be enrolled in concurrently while enrolled in a doctoral clinical psychology program.

What scholarship and financial aid options are available?

Alliant recently reduced tuition for our online MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology to just over $20,000. 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 some other states have granted prescriptive authority to psychologists as part of a separate 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.

What are the admission requirements?

Applicants should hold a relevant graduate degree in psychology or a related field. Some degree programs may require previous clinical experience and licensure as a clinical psychologist. Please refer to the program-specific requirements here.

When does the clinical psychopharmacology postdoctoral MS degree program start?

The program has class starts in January, May, and August and is offered in eight-week terms (six per year) over 28 months. Students who transfer equivalent courses or challenge some courses by examination may start with a different term and join an existing cohort. 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, which takes two years. You can find a copy of our eight-week term academic calendar here.

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@alliant.edu for more information.