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 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
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 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.
Do More for Your Patients with Psychopharmacology
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 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.
When does the clinical psychopharmacology postdoctoral MS degree program start?
The program is offered in ten eight-week terms (five per year) and traditionally enrolls new students each January and August. Students who transfer equivalent courses or challenge some courses by emanination 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. 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@alliant.edu 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.
