MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology (Post Doctorate)

Becoming a prescribing psychologist doesn't just give you the power to prescribe medication, but also the power to unprescribe medication when the patient has reached their sustainable clinical goals to prevent medication overuse, reduce patient costs, and the impact of side effects. Our program will teach you to do both.

The program is primarily online, with the exception of a 1 week intensive on campus course in the summer between year 1 and 2 covering physical assessment and lab analysis. The program is designed for working professionals with weekly synchronous online class meetings, and asynchronous work. Academic year semesters will be divided into 8 week terms, with 2 classes per semester (so that students will take 2 courses per semester, but they take them sequentially rather than simultaneously). Courses are generally required to be completed in the order listed below, though exceptions could be made in unique situations.

The MS Clinical Psychopharmacology curriculum

The program is designed to meet the didactic requirements as laid out by the American Psychological Association and the state of Colorado for the training of prescribing psychologists.  Courses are taken as intensive 8-week courses, with 2 courses taken sequentially each semester.  Courses meet once a week online with additional coursework required outside of the class.

Students need to complete the courses in order:

Year 1

• Fall 1 - Clinical Science 1: Basic Science
• Fall 2 - Clinical Science 2: Neuroscience
• Spring 1 - Pathology and Pathophysiology
• Spring 2 - Clinical Medicine
• Maymester (1 week In Person) - Applied Clinical Science
• Summer – Pharmacology

Year 2

• Fall 1 - Clinical Pharmacology
• Fall 2 - Neuropharmacology & Neurotherapeutics
• Spring 1 - Clinical Psychopharmacology 1
• Spring 2 - Clinical Psychopharmacology 2
• Summer - Professional & Ethical Issues

Third Year Clinical Psychopharmacology Fellowship Certificate

If you are on the Clinical Licensing Track and intend to pursue licensure, you will also need to complete the 3rd year Psychopharmacology Fellowship Certificate. This is designed to meet the supervised practice requirements of the state of Colorado. It is a period of not less than 12 months with a minimum of 750 hours with 150 unique patients. For those wishing to have a geriatric or pediatric special population endorsement for their Colorado license, 250 of those hours must be focused on the specific population desired (e.g. geriatric or pediatric).

Topics include:

• Observatory Fellowship – including physical assessment and integrative health components
• Prescribing Psychopharmacology Fellowship 1 – initial experience in supervised psychopharmacology practice
• Prescribing Psychopharmacology Fellowship 2 – expanded experience in supervised psychopharmacology practice

Program Objectives

Goal #1: Prepare students to use clinical psychopharmacology scientific research.

Objectives for MSCP Goal #1:

• 1a.Students will acquire knowledge of basic research methods in clinical psychopharmacology.
• 1b.Students will acquire basic understanding of statistical analytic methods in clinical psychopharmacology.
• 1c. Students will be able to read and integrate empirical research into their clinical psychopharmacology practice.

Competencies for Goal 1 Objectives:

• Demonstrate entry-level ability to review, integrate, and critically evaluate research in clinical psychopharmacology.
• Demonstrate entry-level ability to understand and share scientific psychopharmacology research findings to peers and patients.
• Demonstrate critical and integrative thinking skills as well as intellectual curiosity.

Goal #2: Students will be trained to be capable entry-level practitioners of clinical psychopharmacology information.

Objectives for Goal #2:

• 2a. Students will acquire information about human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and neuroscience.
• 2b. Students will acquire knowledge of theory and research to understand psychological disorders in the context of multi-dimensional aspect of physical health and illness.
• 2c. Students will acquire knowledge of theory and research and related skills to conduct effective evidence-based psychopharmacological assessment and psychopharmacological interventions.
• 2d. Students will acquire knowledge regarding the application of ethical concepts and awareness regarding professional activities.
• 2e. Students will be knowledgeable and sensitive to individual, group, and cultural differences in clinical practice.

Competencies for Goal 2 Objectives:

• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience.
• Demonstrate entry-level ability to diagnose psychological disorders in the context of physical health and illness.
• Demonstrate entry-level ability to conduct psychopharmacological and physical assessment.
• Demonstrate entry-level ability to select and deliver empirically-supported and evidence-based psychopharmacological interventions.
• Understand ethical principles and demonstrate ethical behavior in the application of clinical psychopharmacology practice.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and diversity issues and adapt clinical psychopharmacology practice accordingly.

PF_C Goal #1: Students will be trained to be competent as entry-level clinical psychopharmacology prescribers.

Objectives for PF_C Goal #1:

• 3a. Students will acquire basic knowledge of biopsychosocial principles and research relevant to clinical psychopharmacology.
• 3b. Students will acquire basic, entry-level skills to conduct diagnostic assessments, and provide psychopharmacology services in clinical psychology and integrated health settings.

Competencies for PF_C Goal #1 Objectives:

• Demonstrate knowledge of biopsychosocial principles in the application of psychopharmacology practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of clinical psychopharmacology research and ability to integrate best-principles into practices.
• Demonstrate knowledge and entry-level skill in application of clinical psychopharmacology assessment and prescribing skills in clinical psychology and integrated health settings.

Course tuition rates for the MSCP program AY 2024-25 if you are taking the program as outlined to complete the MSCP in two years and the Fellowship in your 3rd year.

For 2024-25 Academic Year:

• Extended Studies Online courses: $700/credit hour + online course fees
• Extended Studies In person course (Physical Assessment): $700/credit hour + course and materials fee -TBD
• Fee Schedule  
• No surcharge for out of state tuition

This is an extended studies professional program. Some employers may fully or partially reimburse you for participating in this degree program. Please check with your employer to see if they may provide reimbursement to lower the final cost of the program for you.

Clinical Psychopharmacology MS students are accepted for Fall admission only. Applications by pre-doctoral applicants must submitted by July 15th. Post-doctoral candidates who submit by July 15th will receive priority consideration for admission and funding opportunities. Applications by post-doctoral candidates submitted after the deadline are considered on a rolling basis until the first day of the semester.

Application Materials

For applicants currently holding a PhD or PsyD in a mental health field:

• Two letters of recommendation (must be from academic/professional sources)
• Arrange submission of official transcripts from all schools where graduate credit hours were taken
• Statement of purpose and goal of graduate study (Part 2, Question 6 on application).
• International students: Please contact International Education for requirements and guidance.

For pre-doctoral applicants:

• Three letters of recommendation (must be from academic/professional sources)
• Arrange submission of official transcripts from all schools where graduate and undergraduate credit hours were taken
• Statement of purpose and goal of graduate study (Part 2, Question 6 on application).
• Professional De-identified Clinical Writing sample
• Optional: GRE score not required, but may be submitted to aid application file
• International students: Please contact International Education for requirements and guidance.

University Graduate Admissions (How to Apply)

Post-doctoral Applicants

• Completion of a PsyD or PhD in a mental health field
• If licensed, must be in good standing.

Pre-doctoral Applicants

• Must be currently enrolled in a PsyD or PhD mental health program
• Must have successfully completed a minimum of 45 hours of graduate coursework in their mental health program with a minimum 3.0 GPA. As part of the graduate coursework requirement, the applicant must have evidence on their transcript that they completed the 5 courses below with a minimum of a B-/80% in each class:

1. Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology/Diagnostics
2. Biological Bases of Behavior/Neuroscience
3. Statistics
4. Research Methods
5. Clinical Assessment/Interviewing/Clinical Practicum

Other professionals

For unique situations, please contact the program director prior to the July 15th application deadline to discuss your qualifications further.