When most people think of Florida, they think of rippling blue ocean water, tall swaying palm trees, and tourist attractions galore. While all of this is true, Florida also has some really fantastic clinical psychology programs. Clinical psychology is a branch of psychology that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and psychological disorders.
A clinical psychology program is usually a graduate (i.e. master or doctoral level) program that is designed to teach students the skills and tools needed to become successful practitioners (i.e. clinical psychologist, college instructor, and/or researcher).
If you are interested in furthering your education by entering a clinical psychology program in sunny Florida, you have come to the right place. This article will highlight the “best” clinical psychology programs in Florida.
Listed below are the top clinical psychology schools in Florida based on the ranking of top psychology schools by U.S. News.
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611, (352) 392-3261, ufl.edu
The University of Florida (UF) is a public, research university that is located in Gainesville, Florida. It is one of the oldest and most comprehensive educational institutions in Florida. It is also one of the nation’s most diverse universities.
UF was founded in 1853 in Ocala, but moved to Gainesville in the 1860s. This university is one of only 17 public universities connected to the Association of American Universities. It boasts an enrollment of over 50,000 students. Furthermore, it consists of a 2,000-acre campus, with more than 900 buildings (i.e.170 classrooms and laboratories).
Generally, tuition and associated fees range from $15,000 (off campus) to $35,000 (on campus). These totals are for in-state students. Out-of-state students should add on $20,000 to $25,000, to the totals listed above for the per year cost.
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program
University of Florida (UF) only offers a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology. The goal of this doctoral program is to train graduate students for a prosperous career in the clinical psychology field (i.e. clinical psychologist, clinical researcher, and/or clinical instructor).
It normally takes 6 years to complete the program, which includes a dissertation (research paper), and internship. The tuition cost/fees for this program is approximately $650, per credit, in-state, and approximately $1500, per credit, out-of-state.
Financial aid is available for the clinical psychology graduate program. The department offers financial aid in the form of: grants, loans, and work studies.
Admission Requirements
Admissions decisions are based on the following requirements:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university (does not have to be in psychology)
- Outstanding academic record (GPA of 3.74)
- Acceptable GRE scores (GRE of 315)
- Science background
- Interview (optional)
- Transcript(s)
- Application & Application fee
- Prerequisites (i.e. experimental psychology, statistics, and at least three of the core areas of psychology, such as: developmental, learning, perception, physiological, and/or social).
Course Curriculum
Most courses range from 1 to 4 credits, per course.
Some of the courses that you may take, while in your clinical psychology graduate program:
- Measurement, Research Design, & Statistics
- Clinical Psychological Assessments
- Advanced Health Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
- Best Methods for Clinical Psychological Change
- Intro to Clinical Neuropsychology
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL 33124, (305) 284-2211, miami.edu
University of Miami (UM), founded in 1925, is a private research university located in Coral Gables, Florida. Approximately 15,000 students, from various countries around the world, attend this diverse university. It comprises 11 schools/colleges and offers more than 180 majors and programs to its undergraduate and graduate students.
U.S. News & World Report has ranked UM as one of the Top 50 Universities in the nation. Moreover, U.S. News also ranked several of the university’s graduate programs as one of America’s Best Graduate Schools. The most popular majors are: engineering, marine science, education, and psychology. Generally, tuition and associated fees range from $35,000 in-state to $48,000 out-of-state.
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program
University of Miami (UM) only offers a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology. Its Department of Psychology is separated into (3) divisions: child, adult, and health. The clinical psychology graduate program plays a significant role in all three divisions.
This program clinically trains students on child, pediatric, adult, health, and clinical psychology approaches, techniques, and theories. This program also adheres to the principles and guidelines set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Moreover, it has been accredited by the APA since 1974. Upon graduation you will be eligible to apply for psychologist licensure in Florida.
It normally takes 6 years to complete the program, which includes a dissertation (research paper), and internship. The tuition cost/fees for this program is approximately $40,000, per year. Financial aid is available for the clinical psychology graduate program. In fact, the department offers financial aid in the form of: research assistantships, NIH traineeships, teaching assistantships, and university fellowships.
Admission Requirements
Admissions decisions are based on the following requirements:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university (does not have to be in psychology)
- Outstanding academic record (GPA)
- Acceptable GRE scores
- Three letters of recommendation
- Transcript(s)
- Application & Application fee
- Personal Statement
Course Curriculum
Most courses range from 1 to 3 credits, per course.
Some of the courses that you may take, while in your clinical psychology graduate program include:
- Issues in Professional Development and Research
- Scientific Writing and Grants
- Neuroanatomy
- Cognition and Emotion
- Social Psychology
Florida State University
600 W. College Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32306, (850) 644-2525, fsu.edu
The Florida State University (FSU) is a public teaching & research educational institution in Tallahassee, Florida. This school prepares students for a career in their chosen fields. It is an internationally-known, diverse campus that is recognized as a Carnegie Research University. Approximately 2,000 students receive graduate or professional degrees from FSU.
Moreover, this university has the highest African American doctoral award rates. It also has the highest number of African American graduates. The most popular majors are: biological science/pre-med, psychology, biology, political science/pre-law, and international affairs.
Generally, tuition and associated fees range from approximately $25,000 (in-state) to approximately $42,000 (out-of-state), per year.
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program
Florida State University (FSU) only offers a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology. The doctoral program in clinical psychology is an APA-accredited program based on a clinical science model.
FSU provides integrative training in clinical science, and clinical service delivery so that graduate students are prepared to apply modern knowledge, theories, and techniques to the field of psychology.
It normally takes 6 years to complete the program, which includes a dissertation (research paper), and internship. The tuition cost/fees for this program is approximately $18,000, per year, in-state, and $40,000, per year, out-of-state. Financial aid is available for the clinical psychology graduate program.
Admission Requirements
Admissions decisions are based on the following requirements:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university (does not have to be in psychology)
- Outstanding academic record (GPA)
- Acceptable GRE scores
- Interviews
- Transcript(s)
- Application & Application fee
Course Curriculum
Most courses range from 1 to 4 credits, per course.
Some of the courses that you may take, while in your clinical psychology graduate program include:
- Attention
- Cognitive Aging
- Memory
- Psycholinguistics
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Health Psychology
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, (813) 974-2011, usf.edu
The University of South Florida (USF) is an international research university, located in Tampa on the west coast of Florida. It is one of the largest public universities in the United States, and it has received honor as one of the Top 50 Universities in the nation.
In addition, it is one of only four Florida public universities recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF serves approximately 48,000 students, and offers 180 degrees (i.e. undergraduate, graduate, doctoral degrees). Moreover, it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The most popular majors are: psychology, nursing, medicine, and technology.
Generally, tuition and associated fees range from $25,000 to $35,000, per year, (in-state) to $36,000 to $45,000, per year (out-of-state).
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program
University of Florida (USF) only offers a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology. This clinical psychology Ph.D. program is not only accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System, it is also a renowned member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Sciences.
This program is committed to training students in scientific knowledge so that they can apply that knowledge to mental illnesses and psychological disorders. It normally takes 6 years to complete the program, which includes a dissertation (research paper), and internship. The tuition cost/fees for this program is approximately $12,000, per year, in-state, and $20,000, per year, out-of-state.
Financial aid is available for this clinical psychology graduate program. The department offers financial aid in the form of: loans and university fellowships.
Admission Requirements
Admissions decisions are based on the following requirements:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university (does not have to be in psychology)
- Outstanding academic record (GPA)
- GRE scores
- Recommendation letters
- Personal Statement
- Transcript(s)
- Application & Application fee
Course Curriculum
Most courses are normally 3 or 4 credits, per course.
Some of the courses that you may take, while in your clinical psychology graduate program:
- Cognition
- Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
- Physiological Psychology
- Human Neuropsychology
- Health Psychology
- Psychopharmacology
- Psychophysiology
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