MS - Clinical Psychopharmacology

Explore the Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology degree at NMSU Global Campus

A master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology allows licensed psychologists to make psychotropic medication recommendations, enhance consultation, improve integrated primary care and interdisciplinary collaboration, and safely prescribe medications as defined by state law.

At NMSU Global Campus, the Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) degree program is ready to meet the needs of employed licensed psychologists who can attend training sessions both online and in person.

Training sessions take place on weekends periodically during the two-year curriculum. Students must also complete intensive supervised clinical fieldwork and a capstone examination as additional clinical psychopharmacology degree requirements.

MSCP Program Applications & Prerequisites

The application period for 2021-2023 is closed.

The program will reopen to future applications in Spring 2023 from Feb. 1-June 30, 2023.

New Mexico State University's Graduate School admits qualified students into the post-doctoral MSCP degree program every two years, with new students beginning the program in odd years. Prospective clinical psychopharmacology degree applicants are required to complete the MSCP degree program pre-screening process.

The post-doctoral MSCP degree program prerequisites include the following:

A doctoral degree in clinical, counseling, or school psychology
A current active, unrestricted state license as a psychologist
Verification of good standing from that state’s Board of Psychology, including licensed professional practice with no ethical violations
Potential students must practice before and throughout the program as a "Health Services Provider (Psychologist)," as defined by the state law, where applicable, or as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA).
For international students, NMSU adheres to the standards of practice and licensure of your host country.

Program Highlights and Learning Outcomes

The post-doctoral MSCP degree program offers a strong curriculum and hands-on, experiential training in neurosciences, pathophysiology, physical assessment and cultural diversity, and provides preparation for the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP). Graduates in the MSCP degree program have a high passing rate for PEP.

Expert Faculty

Students benefit from interdisciplinary faculty expertise. Our program has the only full-time training director in the country who is also a prescribing psychologist.

Fits Your Schedule

The MSCP degree program is a hybrid format, offering online and in-person classes with flexible class schedules and outside self-paced learning. Live instruction is offered in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where the master’s in clinical psychopharmacology degree program is based. Students also can participate in live classes from their home computers and review archived classes through learning management systems. All instruction is provided on the weekends. Over the course of didactic clinical psychologist training, students are exposed to more than 450 hours of classroom contact.

Hands-On Facilities

Over the years, the MSCP degree program has developed other partners to offer students exemplary hands-on training in pathophysiology and physical assessment. Currently, the clinical psychopharmacology program is partnering with Arrowhead Medical Academy, NMSU School of Nursing and St. Ambrose University for access to simulations labs, mock exam rooms, medical instrumentation and training facilities.

Gaining Experience

Students must complete supervised clinical fieldwork as part of their clinical psychopharmacology degree requirements, which include direct patient care. Graduates with the NMSU MSCP degree move on to be champions of the prescriptive authority movement for psychologists at the state, regional and national level. MSCP students also complete two supervised clinical experiences: An 80-hour physical assessment practicum and a 100 client/patient 400-hour practicum. Numerous sites nationwide are available to complete practica.

What our students are saying...

"I really enjoyed my time at NMSU. The instructors and training director really cared about providing high-quality education and training for prescribing psychologists to help the underserved people of New Mexico. I cannot fully express how grateful I am for the training I received. My preparation allowed me to quickly pass the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists and then move into applying for my conditional prescribing license.”

Jonathan Leggett, Ph.D., LP, MSCP (2018)

Prescribing Psychologist, Presbyterian Medical Services

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Graduate students seeking a master’s in clinical psychopharmacology are eligible for various awards, assistantships and fellowships. Contact our department to get more information about funding opportunities. Learn more about financial aid to support your graduate education.

Many MSCP students receive significant outside scholarships. Students in the MSCP degree program at NMSU Global Campus are also eligible for several endowed scholarships, including the following:

The American Psychological Foundation Walter Katkovsky Scholarships support early career postdoctoral licensed psychologists in clinical or counseling to complete training in a psychopharmacology degree program designated by the APA. Learn more from the APA about eligibility and how to apply.

The American Psychological Foundation Beth N. Rom-Rymer Scholarship supports graduate students and practicing, licensed psychologists to complete courses that are recommended under the APA Model Curriculum of Didactic Training in Clinical Psychopharmacology. Learn more from the APA about eligibility and applications.

The Dr. Timothy Fjordbak Endowed Scholarship. Learn more information and how to apply from the College of HEST.

Contact Financial Aid