Best Clinical Psychology Programs (US)

The field of clinical psychology is one of the most challenging and rewarding domains within psychology, and the graduate programs in this field are crucial for preparing the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and mental health professionals. Clinical psychology programs are designed to provide students with the knowledge, research skills, and clinical training necessary to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of psychological conditions. The 2009 rankings of the best graduate schools for clinical psychology by U.S. News & World Report highlight institutions that have consistently maintained excellence in clinical psychology education, research, and practice. Among these top-ranked institutions, several universities stand out as leaders in clinical psychology, offering rigorous academic programs, groundbreaking research opportunities, and robust clinical training. The universities ranked number one—University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Washington, and University of Wisconsin–Madison—are renowned for their comprehensive and integrative approaches to training clinical psychologists.

UCLA’s clinical psychology program is often regarded as one of the best in the world, ranking at the top of the 2009 U.S. News list. UCLA offers a program that blends cutting-edge research with extensive clinical training, making it an ideal institution for students aspiring to become leaders in the field. UCLA’s program is housed within the Department of Psychology, and it offers a Ph.D. track with a particular emphasis on research. Students engage in a variety of research topics ranging from developmental and behavioral psychology to neuropsychology and psychopathology. The program encourages students to apply their research findings in clinical settings, ensuring that their work has real-world implications. Additionally, UCLA's strong focus on multiculturalism and diversity in clinical training prepares students to work with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Students have access to world-class faculty members who are conducting pioneering research in areas such as cognitive neuroscience, mental health disorders, and trauma. The extensive clinical training provided by UCLA includes placements in top healthcare settings, ensuring that graduates are prepared to enter a wide variety of professional environments upon completing the program.

Similar to UCLA, the University of Washington's clinical psychology program also ranked number one in the U.S. News 2009 rankings, and for good reason. The University of Washington offers a robust clinical psychology Ph.D. program with a strong emphasis on both research and clinical practice. The program has long been recognized for its scientific rigor and its commitment to providing students with the tools necessary to become both effective clinicians and researchers. A unique aspect of the University of Washington’s program is its focus on evidence-based practice. Students are trained to use the latest scientific research to guide their clinical decision-making, ensuring that the treatment they provide is grounded in empirical evidence. The program emphasizes collaboration with faculty members, and students are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary research with other departments, such as psychiatry and social work. Furthermore, the University of Washington provides numerous opportunities for students to gain hands-on clinical experience, including placements in the university’s own clinics as well as external clinical settings throughout Seattle.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison rounds out the group of top-ranked schools tied for number one in the U.S. News 2009 rankings. This program is well-regarded for its balance of research and clinical training, offering students a comprehensive education in clinical psychology. The university’s clinical psychology program is housed within the Department of Psychology, where students receive advanced instruction in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic techniques. Students also gain substantial research experience, often focusing on areas such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mental health disorders, and the impact of social and environmental factors on psychological health. In addition, the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s faculty includes some of the leading figures in clinical psychology research, and students are encouraged to engage in cutting-edge projects that contribute to advancing the field. With numerous partnerships with local hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations, students gain exposure to a diverse range of clinical settings and patient populations. The program’s commitment to training students to become well-rounded professionals is a key factor in its continued success.

In addition to these top-ranked schools, several other institutions have earned high marks for their clinical psychology programs, including the University of California–Berkeley, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Indiana University–Bloomington, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, and Yale University. These schools have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence in both the academic and clinical training of their students.

The University of California–Berkeley, tied for fourth in the U.S. News rankings, offers a clinical psychology Ph.D. program that is widely respected for its emphasis on research and clinical practice. The program at Berkeley is particularly well-regarded for its focus on psychological assessment, with students gaining hands-on experience in the university’s own psychological clinic. The faculty at Berkeley are leaders in the fields of cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and mental health, and students are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary research that spans across these areas. The program also places a strong emphasis on community-based work, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world settings while addressing the needs of underserved populations.

Similarly, the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities also shares the number-four spot in the U.S. News rankings. The University of Minnesota’s clinical psychology program is known for its emphasis on scientific research and evidence-based practice. Students in this program are trained to use rigorous research methods to investigate a variety of psychological phenomena, and they are given ample opportunities to conduct their own research projects under the mentorship of distinguished faculty members. The program is also deeply committed to providing students with practical experience in clinical settings, where they work with a diverse array of clients and gain hands-on experience with psychological assessment and therapy techniques. The University of Minnesota is particularly known for its research in clinical neuropsychology, and students interested in this field benefit from the university’s close ties to medical professionals and neuroscientists.

Indiana University–Bloomington, another school tied for sixth place, is recognized for its highly collaborative and research-driven approach to clinical psychology education. Students at Indiana University are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary research, and the program provides opportunities for students to collaborate with other departments, such as psychiatry, social work, and public health. The university’s commitment to evidence-based practice and its emphasis on research training make it a standout program for students interested in pursuing careers as both clinicians and researchers.

The University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, also tied for sixth in the rankings, offers a clinical psychology program that is consistently recognized for its academic rigor and its commitment to producing well-rounded professionals. The program places a strong emphasis on clinical training and provides students with substantial hands-on experience in the university’s clinics. Students are also encouraged to engage in community outreach and to contribute to research on topics such as mental health disparities and community mental health.

Yale University, with its rich academic tradition and world-class faculty, rounds out the list of top-ranked schools. Yale’s clinical psychology program is designed to foster the development of both researchers and practitioners, and students are trained to use evidence-based approaches to clinical work. The program is well-known for its focus on developmental psychology and its integration of social and environmental factors into its clinical training. Students at Yale benefit from access to the university’s extensive resources, including its affiliated hospitals and mental health centers.

In summary, the clinical psychology programs at these top universities offer a unique blend of rigorous academic training, extensive clinical experience, and groundbreaking research opportunities. From UCLA and the University of Washington to Yale and Indiana University–Bloomington, these institutions are shaping the future of clinical psychology through their commitment to excellence in education and research. Students attending these programs are well-prepared for careers in clinical practice, research, and academia, and they benefit from exposure to cutting-edge psychological research and a wide range of clinical settings that prepare them to address the diverse needs of their future clients. The strong reputations of these programs and the quality of training they provide make them some of the most sought-after clinical psychology programs in the world.

Best Graduate Schools in Clinical Psychology:

1. University of California–Los Angeles
1. University of Washington
1. University of Wisconsin–Madison
4. University of California–Berkeley
4. University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
6. Indiana University–Bloomington
6. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
6. Yale University
9. Duke University
9. Pennsylvania State University–University Park
9. SUNY–Stony Brook
9. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign
9. University of Iowa
9. University of Pennsylvania
9. University of Pittsburgh
16. University of Kansas (Clinical Child Psychology Program)
16. University of Southern California
16. University of Texas–Austin
16. University of Virginia
16. Vanderbilt University
16. Washington University in St. Louis
22. Arizona State University
22. Northwestern University
22. University of Arizona
25. Emory University
25. San Diego State University/University of California–San Diego
25. University of Florida
25. University of Kansas
25. University of Miami
25. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
25. University of Missouri–Columbia
25. University of Oregon
33. Boston University
33. Ohio State University
33. Temple University
33. University of Colorado–Boulder
33. University of Georgia
33. University of Kentucky
33. University of Maryland–College Park
33. Virginia Tech
33. West Virginia University
42. Michigan State University
43. Florida State University
43. Purdue University–West Lafayette
43. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey–New Brunswick
43. SUNY–Albany
43. University at Buffalo–SUNY
43. University of Nevada–Reno
43. University of Rochester
50. Northwestern University Medical School
50. University of Alabama–Birmingham
50. University of Delaware
50. University of Illinois–Chicago
50. University of Massachusetts–Amherst
50. University of Nebraska–Lincoln
50. University of Vermont
57. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey–New Brunswick
57. University of Denver
57. University of South Florida
57. University of Utah
57. Virginia Commonwealth University
62. Case Western Reserve University
62. Louisiana State University–Baton Rouge
62. Syracuse University
62. Teachers College, Columbia University
62. University of Alabama
62. University of Connecticut
62. University of North Carolina–Greensboro
62. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
62. Washington State University
71. Binghamton University
71. George Mason University
71. Georgia State University
71. Loyola University Chicago
71. Ohio University
71. Texas A&M University–College Station
71. University of Maryland–Baltimore County
71. University of Memphis
71. University of New Mexico
71. University of South Carolina–Columbia
71. University of Tennessee–Knoxville
71. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center–Dallas
83. Auburn University
83. Baylor University
83. DePaul University
83. Kent State University
83. University of Louisville
83. University of Maine–Orono
83. University of Massachusetts–Boston
83. University of Mississippi
83. Wayne State University
92. Indiana University-Purdue University–Indianapolis
92. Oklahoma State University
92. St. Louis University
92. Texas Tech University
92. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
92. University of Hawaii–Manoa
92. University of Houston
99. American University
99. Bowling Green State University
99. Catholic University of America
99. Clark University
99. Marquette University
99. Miami University–Oxford
99. Northern Illinois University
99. Southern Illinois University–Carbondale
99. University of Nevada–Las Vegas
99. University of North Texas/University of North Texas Health Sciences Center
99. U of Rhode Island
110. Brigham Young Uni–Provo
110. George Washington Univ
110. U of Arkansas–Fayetteville
110. U of Missouri–St. Louis
110. U of North Dakota
110. U of Wyoming
116. Central Michigan Univ
116. Drexel Univ
116. Fordham Univ
116. Illinois Institute of Technology
116. Indiana State Univ
116. St. John’s Univ
116. U of Cincinnati
116. U of Missouri–Kansas City
116. U of Montana
116. U of North Texas
116. U of South Dakota
116. U of Tulsa
116. U of Virginia (Curry)
116. Wright State Univ
116. Yeshiva Univ (Ferkauf)
131. CUNY–City College
131. Eastern Michigan University
131. U of Toledo
131. Virginia Consortium for Professional Psychology
131. Western Michigan Univ

Source: US News & World Report 2009