MPS in Clinical Psychological Science

Are you interested in pursuing a degree or job in clinical psychology, but aren’t sure where to start?  The University of Maryland is proud to offer a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Clinical Psychological Science.  The goal of the MPS program is to provide rigorous training in clinical psychology, including coursework in evidence-based psychological assessment and interventions, as well as state-of-the-art research methods and critical thinking skills.  Courses are taught in the evenings at the College Park campus and are designed for working professionals who desire advanced knowledge in clinical science to enter, advance, or expand their career options in the mental health field.

Ask yourself some of the following questions to see if an MPS degree in Clinical Psychological Science from the University of Maryland is right for you:

  • Are you interested in learning more about the science behind clinical psychology?
  • Do you want a program that will allow you to take evening classes while providing the highest quality training from full-time faculty?
  • Are you thinking about graduate school in clinical or counseling psychology but aren’t sure if you’re ready?
  • Are you interested in moving ahead in your current research or teaching job?
  • Are you ready to make an investment in your education to make these things happen?

If you said yes to any of the above questions, than the MPS program may be the right choice for you.  Click here to learn more about the program and what the program can do for you.

The program currently only accepts applications for Fall enrollment.  Applications are accepted until January 31st of the same year in which the applicant seeks to enroll in the program. 

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What is Clinical Psychological Science?

Clinical Psychological Science is the study of clinical psychology with an emphasis on scientific rigor and empirically supported approaches to assessment and treatment.  Clinical psychological scientists play an important role in every aspect of psychology, from teaching and research to developing policy and providing therapy.

Clinical psychology researchers have made important advancements in the development of psychosocial interventions that are effective in treating a range of disorders.  However, these empirically supported interventions are often not available in the community because providers frequently have limited training in the use of these interventions or they lack adequate scientific training to appreciate the importance of making evidence-based decisions in conducting assessment and in selecting treatments that work.  A related concern is that educators, policy makers, research support staff and other professionals working in areas related to mental health often lack training in the latest findings concerning the causes of clinical disorders, their effective intervention, and the broader skill of critical thinking in evaluating the research literature.  Clinical psychological science is a training perspective that emphasizes the role of science in understanding and treating clinical disorders.  The MPS in Clinical Psychological Science at the University of Maryland is the nation’s first masters-level training program that adopts a clinical science perspective.  This MPS program seeks to provide high-quality graduate training that will benefit individuals in a range of professional settings where understanding the causes and treatments of psychopathology from an informed scientific perspective will be of use.

What can I expect to gain from this degree?

The goal of the program is to provide students with both a broad understanding of psychological principles and focused training in the science of clinical psychology.  This program emphasizes contemporary theories of clinical disorders and empirically supported interventions for the treatment of these disorders.  This degree will prepare students for a range of careers in mental health and related areas (including research and education) and can serve as academic preparation for those interested in pursuing further doctoral training in clinical or counseling psychology.

Upon completion of this program, all students will be able to:

  •  Critically evaluate existing psychological research and data
  •  Understand how to competently design and carryout research
  •  Think critically about current issues in clinical psychology
  •  Communicate complex psychological topics to wider   audiences
  •  Understand current causal models that seek to explain how clinical disorders develop
  •  Know the available empirically-supported psychological interventions used to treat clinical disorders

Is this the right program for me?

This program provides training for students interested in the science of clinical psychology.  Specifically, this program is an excellent choice for people interested in the following goals:

  • Pursuing higher-levels of psychological training
  • Working with adults and children suffering from mental health and developmental disorders
  • Learning advanced techniques in research methodologies
  • Enhancing current teaching practices
  • Understanding clinical psychology from a scientific perspective

What is an MPS degree?

At the successful completion of this program, students will be awarded a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Clinical Psychological Science.  This degree emphasizes the practical aspects of psychology and clinical psychological research and prepares students for a variety of educational and vocational experiences.

What can I do with an MPS degree?

The MPS program at Maryland will prepare students for a variety of exciting career opportunities, including:

Research. Students will be well positioned to be project managers in research laboratories focusing on mental health.

Education. Completing this degree would provide the educational background necessary to be a competitive applicant to doctoral programs in clinical and counseling psychology.

Applied Services. Completing the program will assist individuals in preparing for, or advancing in, careers related to mental health services.  The Maryland MPS in Clinical Psychological Science meets the current educational requirements to be a Psychology Associate in the state of Maryland.  Please note the completion of the MPS will not lead to licensure for psychological practice. 

The learning format.

This master’s degree program is designed to provide the highest level of rigorous academic training and mentorship while meeting the needs of working professionals and students who are interested in complementing their course work with clinical or research experiences.  Classes are taught at the College Park campus during the evenings.  In class lectures are complemented by faculty office hours offered in person and remotely.  Additionally, course material is also supplemented by the opportunity to engage in research and clinical experiences by becoming involved in faculty research labs.  Click here for a full list of psychology faculty.  

The program is designed to be completed in 15 months over the course of 5 terms.  Students will be expected to complete two courses per term.

Career mentorship and preparation.

Alongside traditional course curricula, the Master’s program has a special emphasis on helping students achieve their individual goals through close faculty mentoring.  Whether students are interested in pursuing a career in clinical work or research, or considering applying to Ph.D. programs, our full-time faculty are committed to helping students prepare for their future endeavors.  Mentoring can occur in-person during scheduled on-campus visits with faculty at the University of Maryland or through individual online video conferencing with faculty.  Admitted students may also take advantage of the many opportunities and resources offered through the University, including their outstanding educational resources and career services division.

The University of Maryland’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology is a leader in clinical psychological science whose faculty focuses on research to understand and treat mental illness.  Our clinical faculty members publish extensively, conduct research supported by grants from NIDA and NIMH, serve on the editorial boards of leading academic journals, and mentor the next generation of clinical researchers.  In a published academic ranking based on faculty productivity, the Clinical Psychology program was ranked 18th out of 157 APA-accredited clinical programs in the nation. Our mission is to create knowledge and to disseminate this knowledge through training.  As part of this mission we have developed the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Clinical Psychological Science. We draw on our collective faculty expertise to provide an academic program that is both rigorous and relevant.

MPS students have access to the many superb opportunities available to University of Maryland students, including access to career and academic services.  For further information about the University of Maryland, please click here.

Application Instructions

A list of application requirements can be found here.  To begin an application, click here. 

How do I check the status of my application?

For updates on the status of your application, including receipt of letters of recommendation, please visit the TerpEngage application portal.

Admissions Season Timeline

The program only accepts applicants for Fall enrollment.  International and domestic student application materials are due January 31 for enrollment in the upcoming Fall class.

From the initial applicant pool, select applicants will be invited to continue on in the admissions process, which consists of an admissions interview.  Admissions interviews will be completed virtually, via Zoom. Invitations for admissions interviews are usually made in late February/early March.  Final notification of acceptances will be sent in late April.