Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology

Program Description/Overview

The overall goals of this postdoctoral program are to educate practicing psychologists to work collaboratively with other health care professionals who prescribe medication, to integrate medication and its management in treatment of mental and behavioral disorders, and to prescribe safely and effectively in states and federal agencies that allow psychologists to prescribe. The program conforms to the recommended curriculum of the American Psychological Association and contains 400 hours of classes. The curriculum is designed with the rigor and breadth necessary to train professionals in psychopharmacology. At the same time, it focuses on issues central to the clinical demands and interests of practicing psychologists.

The program offers Continuing Education credit for most courses.

Classes are held online using state of the art, real-time software. Classes are live. Students participate in classes from their own computer. The online platform provides opportunities for study sessions, chats, discussion assignments, sharing of references and related readings, and many other learning resources.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

On completion of this program:

1. Students will have a basic understanding of the scientific foundations of psychopharmacology.
2. Students will have a basic understanding of the clinical applications of psychopharmacology.
3. Students will have a basic understanding of research and legal/ethical issues related to the practice of psychopharmacology.
4. Students will feel sufficiently knowledgeable in psychopharmacology to engage in collaborative assessment and treatment planning with prescribing professionals (or to pursue prescription authority in jurisdictions where it is authorized).
5. Students will have sufficient knowledge of psychoactive medications to judge which patients are likely to benefit from pharmacotherapy, and the appropriate medication regimen.
6. Students will understand contraindications and risks of psychoactive medication, including in special populations (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, medical diagnosis).
7. Students will be able to use resources to obtain up to-date evidence-based information on specific medications and treatment guidelines.

Licensure

The overall goals of the program are to educate practicing psychologists to work collaboratively with other health care professionals who prescribe medication, to integrate medication and its management in treatment of mental and behavioral 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. Other states have granted prescriptive authority to psychologists as part of their licensure process. This program is designed to prepare licensed psychologists to prescribe safely and effectively in states and federal jurisdictions where they have prescriptive authority.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 30

Total Core Credit Units: 30

Total Elective Credit Units: N/A

Total Concentration Credit Units: N/A

Degree Requirements

Students will complete an 80-hour Practicum in Clinical Psychopharmacology. The site and supervisor for the Practicum will have to be preapproved by the MSCP Program Director. To be eligible to graduate, students will also pass a Capstone examination.

Curriculum Plan