For more information about the Clinical Psychopharmacology program, please click here.

Objectives of the Program

The post-doctoral masters of clinical psychopharmacology is designed to provide the didactic information necessary to use clinical psychopharmacology information, comprehend new psychopharmacology research and begin to consider how this information can be integrated into an ethical and culturally responsive clinical practice. The program is designed to meet the initial didactic requirements as laid out by the American Psychological Association for the training of prescribing psychologists.

Admissions

Clinical Psychopharmacology MS students are accepted for Fall admission only. Applications by pre-doctoral applicants must submitted by June 1st. Post-doctoral candidates who submit by June 1st will receive priority consideration for admission and funding opportunities. Applications by post-doctoral candidates submitted after the deadline may be considered on a rolling basis if there are any remaining spots in the incoming class.

University Graduate Admissions (How to Apply)

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 and undergraduate 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.

Admissions Requirements:

• Completion of a PsyD or PhD in a mental health field.
• If licensed, must be in good standing.
• Please note that to pursue licensure track as a prescribing psychologist with the 3rd year Clinical Psychopharmacology Fellowship Certificate, you must first be an independently licensed psychologist in most states that allow prescribing psychologists.

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.

Admissions Requirements:

• 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

Graduate Education Policies and Procedures apply to this program.

Program Requirements

1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 MSCP credit hours.
2. Students must complete all credits at the graduate 6000 level and above.

3. Students must earn a minimum grade of B- (3.0) in all courses that apply to the degree and must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Courses taken using P+/P/F or S/U grading cannot apply to program requirements.

4. Students must complete all credit hours with CU Denver faculty.

Program Restrictions, Allowances and Recommendations

1. The MSCP didactic curriculum requires a minimum of 400 contact hours with 30 credit hours across 11 courses.  Courses can be a mixture of in person and synchronous online courses.  Ideally these courses would be done sequentially in 8 week segments (e.g. 2 courses per semester, 3 semesters a year, 2 years).
2. Classes expire after 7 years after completion.
3. Pre-doctoral student may take up to 2 courses in the MSCP program that may apply to both doctoral credits and MSCP credits. 
4. After completion of courses students will be required to complete a capstone which comes in the form of an exam. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete the following required courses:		30
MSCP 6005	Clinical Science 1: Basic Science
MSCP 6010	Clinical Science 2: Neuroscience
MSCP 6015	Pathology and Pathophysiology
MSCP 6020	Clinical Medicine
MSCP 6025	Applied Clinical Science
MSCP 6030	Pharmacology
MSCP 7005	Clinical Pharmacology
MSCP 7010	Neuropharmacology & Neurotherapeutics
MSCP 7015	Clinical Psychopharmacology 1
MSCP 7020	Clinical Psychopharmacology 2
MSCP 7025	Professional & Ethical Issues
Total Hours		30

To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for this program, please visit our website.