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Clinical Psychology MA

The Clinical Psychology Master of Arts (MA) Program within the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is intended for students interested in pursuing a clinical career at the master’s level.

Please note that the prior MA program, which focused on research and research-related coursework and was designed to prepare students for doctoral study in academic clinical psychology, is no longer accepting applications.

The new MA program in Clinical Psychology, which will start its first cohort in September 2025, is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as Professional Counselors and Clinical Professional Counselors within the state of Illinois. The intention of this MA program is to prepare graduates to deliver science-based services at the master’s level to care for the mental health of individuals, couples, families, and groups.

Updates have been made to our "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) tab.

About the Program

 Goals

The goals of the Clinical Psychology Master of Arts Program are to:

  • Prepare graduates to pursue a career as a professional counselor to deliver science-based mental health services.
  • Develop discipline-specific knowledge and profession-wide competencies in clinical psychological science.
  • Integrate clinical psychological science and practice.
  • Enhance competencies in communication and interpersonal skills, as well as responsible and ethical values, attitudes, and behaviors.
  • Develop competencies in psychological assessment, and use of psychological assessment to inform psychological intervention.
  • Develop competencies in psychological intervention, including major theories of psychological interventions, intervention factors common across models, specific science-based intervention models, and group interventions.
  • Enhance knowledge of supervision models in clinical psychology.
  • Develop competencies in consultation and interprofessional and interdisciplinary skills.

 Prerequisites

The following criteria are most desired in MA applicants:

  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale
  • An essay describing interests in and preparation for the MA program
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • For international students, demonstration of English language proficiency (see below for details)
  • Interest in engaging in a career as a master's level professional counselor based in clinical psychological science.
  • Exposure to clinical populations (via volunteering, employment, or research)

Please note that the above criteria are desired, but not required. The MA program will consider mitigating circumstances when conducting holistic reviews of applicants who may not meet all of these criteria.

 English Language Proficiency

For students to be successful in our MA program, it is necessary for them to have proficiency in understanding, reading, writing, and speaking in English. An English proficiency score is required for applicants whose first/primary language is not English. English proficiency scores may not be self-reported; these must be submitted officially via the appropriate testing organization as part of the application.

For admission into the MA program, you must certify your proficiency in the English language in one of the following three ways:

  • Providing official scores for either the TOEFL, IELTS, or MET exam. The test must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry (e.g., if you are applying for fall 2025 entry, test scores must be no older than September 2023.) For the TOEFL, you must score 577 or higher on the paper-based test, 233 or higher on the computer-based test, 90 or higher on the internet based test. For the IELTS, you must receive a score of 7.0 or higher. For the MET, you must receive a score of 54 or higher. We do not accept DuoLingo or TOEFL Essentials to meet the requirement.
  • Providing official transcripts verifying an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution or equivalent, where the language of instruction is English. For your application, only unofficial transcripts are required. If you receive an offer of admission to our program, official transcripts will be required. 
  • Providing official transcripts verifying a graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English. For your application, only unofficial transcripts are required. If you receive an offer of admission to our program, official transcripts will be required. 

For more information on English proficiency requirements, please see: https://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/services-support/international-student-services/language-testing-support.html

 Curriculum

The Clinical Psychology Master of Arts Program is designed to be completed within eight quarters over two years (24 months).

Courses

The MA program requires full-time study (3-4 units per quarter) for eight quarters over two years (24 months). The following courses are offered as part of the program:

Fall (Year 1)

  • Introduction to Psychotherapy
  • Psychological Assessment
  • Individual and Cultural Diversity

Winter (Year 1)

  • Transdiagnostic Psychotherapy
  • Career & Lifestyle Development
  • Psychology of Addiction

Spring (Year 1)

  • Group Therapy
  • Psychopathology
  • Clinical Ethics and Laws

Summer (Year 1)

  • Research Methods
  • Lifespan Developmental Psychology
  • Practicum/Internship

Fall (Year 2)

  • Family Therapy and Systems Theory
  • Advanced Assessment and Intervention I
  • Practicum/Internship

Winter (Year 2)

  • Advanced Assessment and Intervention II
  • Practicum/Internship

Spring (Year 2)

  • Advanced Scientific Foundations of Behavior
  • Practicum/Internship

Summer (Year 2)

  • Proseminar in Professional Counseling
  • Practicum/Internship

Research Experience

The Clinical Psychology Master of Arts Program is designed to prepare students for careers as professional counselors with a strong foundation in science-based practice in clinical psychology. To facilitate the goal of grounding future professional counselors in the science of psychology, all students will join a research lab for at least two quarters. This research experience is designed to expose students to the process of research and to facilitate the integration of science and practice throughout their careers.

Clinical Training

Students engage in the clinical Internship/Practicum experience starting in the summer of their first year through the entirety of their second year (5 quarters in total). The clinical practicum and internship trainings occur within the inpatient and outpatient Behavioral Health Services offered by the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern Medicine. The clinical Internship/Practicum training is designed to provide students with practical clinical experience to develop individual and group counseling skills.  The Internship/Practicum experience will include 15-20 hours in the clinic per week for a minimum of 700 clock hours on-site. Students will engage in a range of clinical experiences with a minimum of 280 hours of direct, face-to-face contact with patients.  These experiences are designed to provide students with opportunities to engage in some of the counseling activities that a licensed counselor will be expected to perform throughout their career.  All clinical experiences will be supervision by licensed clinicians with expertise in the provision of mental health services.

Clinical Competency Exam

In the spring and summer quarters of the second year, students will complete the Clinical Competency Exam (CCE) as the final milestone for the MA degree.  The purpose of the CCE is to demonstrate competence that is sufficient for minimally competent supervised clinical practice at the master’s level. The CCE involves completion of an evidence-based case study, written and taped practice samples, and an oral exam by a faculty committee to determine clinical competence.

 Tuition & Financial Aid

Information on tuition can be found at the tuition and fees page on The Graduate School’s website.

All students admitted to the MA program receive a Graduate Scholarship that provides a 45 percent tuition remission for each of the eight quarters of the program.

Additional information on financial aid is provided through our Chicago Office of Financial Aid and through the financial aid pages of The Graduate School’s website.

 Accreditation Status

Given that our MA Program has undergone a recent restructuring, we are not currently accredited. We will be seeking accreditation through the American Psychological Association (APA). We designed the program to both meet criteria for accreditation by APA, as well as for educational licensure requirements for professional counselors in the state of Illinois.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the final deadline of May 1. Offers will also be made on a rolling basis until the incoming cohort class is completely filled. Applicants may be asked to do a phone or video interview before an offer is made for admission. Onsite interviews will not be conducted, nor will individual tours of the program be provided to applicants; however, interested applicants are always welcome to visit the campus. 

To apply, complete the steps listed below.

Our program eliminated the GRE General Test as an admissions requirement for the 2021-2022 class. In an effort to maximize holistic review and move toward greater equity and fairness in our admissions process, we will continue to NOT accept or consider GRE scores for applications. Applicants should NOT submit their GRE scores through ETS nor report their scores in the application portal or on their CVs or personal statements. We will revisit our GRE policy annually.

 1. Complete the online application form.

Online applications will open in September. Deadline for receipt of completed applications and supporting materials for the MA program is May 1, although applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers of admissions will also be made on a rolling basis until the cohort is filled.

To begin the application process, read the instructions and complete the application on The Graduate School website. In the Personal Information section on page one, choose “Clinical Psychology: MA (C30MA)” as your Academic Program from the pull-down menu (Select "Feinberg School of Medicine" to find it faster).

The nonrefundable application fee must be paid via credit card at the time of application submission; it will not be processed without payment. The application fee cannot be waived by the PhD program; however, eligible students can apply for a fee waiver. See additional information regarding the application fee.

 2. Please DO NOT request that ETS submit official GRE scores!

Our program eliminated the GRE General Test requirement in an effort to maximize holistic review and move toward greater equity and fairness in our admissions process. Applicants should NOT submit their GRE scores through ETS nor report their scores in the application portal or on their CVs or academic statements. We will revisit our GRE policy annually.

 3. TOEFL, IELTS, or MET Scores

For students to be successful in our MA program, it is necessary for them to have proficiency in understanding, reading, writing, and speaking in English. An English proficiency score is required for applicants whose first/primary language is not English. English proficiency scores may not be self-reported; these must be submitted officially via the appropriate testing organization as part of the application.

For admission into the MA program, you must certify your proficiency in the English language in one of the following three ways:

  1. Providing official scores for either the TOEFL, IELTS, or MET exam. The test must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry (e.g., if you are applying for fall 2025 entry, test scores must be no older than fall 2023.) For the TOEFL, you must score 577 or higher on the paper-based test, 233 or higher on the computer-based test, 90 or higher on the internet based test. For the IELTS, you must receive a score of 7.0 or higher. For the MET, you must receive a score of 54 or higher. We do not accept DuoLingo or TOEFL Essentials to meet the requirement.
  2. Providing transcripts verifying an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution or equivalent, where the language of instruction is English. For your application, only unofficial transcripts are required. If you receive an offer of admission to our program, official transcripts will be required.
  3. Providing official transcripts verifying a graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English. For your application, only unofficial transcripts are required. If you receive an offer of admission to our program, official transcripts will be required. 

For more information on English proficiency requirements, please see: https://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/services-support/international-student-services/language-testing-support.html

 4. Submit all supporting documents.

You will also need to submit the following supporting materials to complete your application. All of the supporting documents must be submitted online; paper or "hard" copies will not be accepted for the application. Please include the following supporting documents in your online application:

Letters of Recommendation

We require three letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors, preferably psychologists, who are familiar with your academic or research work. All recommendation letters must be submitted online by your recommenders. We do not accept recommendations through the mail.

Transcripts

Transcripts from each postsecondary institution you attended are required for your application to be complete. You must upload scanned versions of your official transcripts online. We no longer will accept paper copies in the mail.

If you are accepted into the program, TGS will require that you submit official paper copies of your transcripts (including degree awarding transcripts) directly to its admission office. TGS will compare the official transcripts received via mail to the versions uploaded during the application process to ensure that no tampering/fraud occurred. Any student found to have submitted false documentation during the application process will be immediately dismissed. Registration holds will be placed on any student’s account if their official transcripts are not received by the end of the first quarter of enrollment.

Academic Statement

Please include the following information in the Academic Statement you complete as part of your online application:

  • Discuss how your background, life experiences, educational preparation, research experience and clinical exposure have contributed to your decision to pursue this degree at this point in your life.
  • Indicate what you hope to obtain from your MA degree, and what you ultimately want to do after graduating from our program.
  • Discuss your specific areas of interests in clinical psychology. You are welcome to discuss your alignment with specific research or clinical emphasis.

You are encouraged to submit abstracts or reprints as supplementary uploads. Please write succinctly (one to two pages, single-spaced, in a 12-point font).

Personal Statement

You are welcome to complete the optional Personal Statement according to the instructions provided on the online application. 

For more information on the differences between the Academic and Personal Statements, see https://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/admission/application-procedures/application-requirements/essays.html 

FAQ

 Are there specific prerequisites for the MA program?

Please see the "Prerequisites" section above.

 Do I need to select a faculty member in my application?

No. Our MA Program went through a recent restructuring, and some parts of the MA application will need to be updated. Our current program structure does not require applicants to select a faculty member(s) they are interested in working with, so that section can be skipped.

 Can I apply to the MA program separate from the PhD Program

Yes! The MA program is a separate program from the PhD program, with a separate admissions process, requirements, and degree type (Master of Arts).

 Is the MA program funded?

Yes, all students in the MA program receive a 45% tuition scholarship.  See 'Tuition and Financial Aid" above. Students are responsible for the remaining 55% tuition expense.  The MA program does not provide a stipend. MA students, however, are allowed to have employment outside of the MA program (either within or outside of Northwestern).  

 Is the MA program in Clinical Psychology a STEM program?

Unfortunately, no. Although Psychology clearly meets criteria as a STEM discipline (https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stem-discipline), the MA program in Clinical Psychology is classified as a Clinical Psychology graduate program, which is currently not identified as a STEM Designated Degree Program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  

 Can I transfer credits from another university?

Northwestern University does not accept transfer credits from other universities at the graduate level.

 Does the program accept 3-year international undergraduate degrees? Must the degree be WES evaluated?

Yes, we will accept an international Bachelor's degree from a three-year program. A WES evaluation is not required. Please see more information here: https://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/admission/application-procedures/application-requirements/

 Does the Program provide a waiver for the application fee?

Application fee waivers are not provided by the University or the MA Program. You can learn more about the application fee here: https://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/admission/application-procedures/application-requirements/fee.html 

Please do not contact the MA program to request a waiver of the application fee. 

 Are there opportunities to work on potential publications?

Opportunities for potential publications are not a standard part of the program. Instead, all students will get the opportunity to rotate through labs with the goal of developing an understanding and appreciation for the research process. These experiences will be largely observational; however, students can always seek out opopportunities – if available – to participate at a greater level in the labs, including any publications opportunities that may be available.  

 Is there a part-time or accelerated track?

The program is currently available only as a full-time program. Students are permitted to work outside of the program as long as it doesn’t interfere with their course/training schedules and complies with University and Graduate School regulations.  

 Are the program’s educational requirements compliant with licensing laws in other states?

The curriculum is designed specifically to meet the educational requirements for the counseling license in the state of Illinois. It is our understanding that the curriculum will also meet the educational requirements for similar licenses in most states. We are currently reviewing state licensing laws in the United States and will be creating a consumer disclosure that will specifically if our curriculum is consistent with licensing laws for specific states.  

 Is the program COAMFTE, MPCAC or CACREP approved/accredited?

The program is currently unaccredited. We will be seeking accreditation in Health Service Psychology through the American Psychological Association. The curriculum is designed to be “equivalent” to accredited programs in the educational requirements for the counseling license in most states.  

 Will graduates be able to claim APA accreditation?

Not currently. During the 2025-2026 academic year, the program plans to submit an “intent to apply” status to the American Psychological Association's Committee on Accreditation. During the 2026-2027 academic year, the Program plans to apply for accreditation with APA. If granted “Accredited, on Contingency” or “Full Accreditation”, graduates of the Program will be able to claim APA accreditation. Prior to being granted those statuses, graduates will not be able to claim APA accreditation.  

 Does the program emphasize the science-practitioner model?

Models of training (e.g., scientist practitioner, practitioner scholar, clinical scientist) are not recognized with the Master’s degree. The Program is focused on education and training for clinical practice, and is designed for graduates to ultimately pursue independent practice as licensed counselors. The education and training that students in our Program will receive, however, will be grounded heavily in psychological science.  

 Are there opportunities to specialize during clinic hours for specific treatment/diagnosis interests?

The MA Program in Clinical Psychology is focused on providing generalist and transdiagnostic education and trainingg. Although no formal specialist tracks will be provided, if you have a specific patient population or diagnosis that you would like to work with, we will do our best to accommodate these interests in your caseload when available and when appropriate to do so. 

 How likely are students able to secure a job after graduation?

The 2025-2026 academic year will be the first year that the MA Program in Clinical Psychology will be accepting students. As such, we will not have any data on employment of our graduates for 2-3 years. What we do know is that mental health clinicians with master’s degrees are already in strong demand given the substantial need for mental health services in the United States, and that the vast majority (75-85%) of mental health providers are at the master’s level. Over the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 19% growth in counselors, which is nearly five times the project employment of all other occupations.  

 For those changing careers, would a post-bac program be helpful and/or which classes should we focus on?

Yes, core courses in Psychology would be beneficial (e.g. affective, biological, cognitive psychology, developmental, and social psychology), given that competencies in basic psychological science are a part of the philosophy of the program and is an APA accreditation requirement.  

 Are there opportunities to work at the VA?

No. All clinical training will be completed within Northwestern Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences 

 Can you apply to more than one Northwestern Graduate Program at a time?

Per the policy of the Graduate School, applicants can only submit one application to one TGS program per academic year. Once an application is submitted, it may not be transferred to another program as each program has specific items in their application that must be completed for thorough review and consideration. As noted elsewherere in the FAQ, students who apply to the PhD Program in Clinical Psychology within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences can select to be automatically considered for the MA Program in Clinical Psychology on their PhD application.  

Contact Us

Please direct all questions to clinpsych_admissions@northwestern.edu.

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