Last reviewed March 16, 2023 by PSY Staff

Psychopharmacology Degree Programs

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University Program Admissions
Butler University Online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Cover topics like fundamental counseling theory, trauma and crisis response, and psychopharmacology. No GRE Required.
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Pepperdine University Online Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis
ABAI-Verified, 15-Month Online ABA from Pepperdine. Prepare to sit for the board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) exam.
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Drake University MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology
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View more featured 100% online psychology programs accepting applications for 2024.

Find Psychopharmacology Graduate Programs

Psychopharmacology is the study of using medicine and pharma products to treat mental disorders. Psychopharmacologists evaluate the effect of pharmaceuticals on the brain, body, behavior, and emotions. This psychiatry specialization is increasingly important as more drugs are produced to treat mental illnesses and disorders.

A master's degree in psychology is the most common path for individuals that wish to pursue a career in this field. While there are some programs that focus on psychopharmacology specifically, it is not uncommon for students to choose this specialty to compliment other degree programs such as clinical psychology, substance abuse counseling, or even pharmacology. The route you choose to take will change the course of your curriculum and provide you with the best blend of knowledge for your specific path.

Earning A Master's Degree In Psychopharmacology

There are numerous fields involved in learning psychopharmacology. In order to have a great understanding of how medicine affects those taking it, it is important the degree programs include aspects of psychology, anatomy, biology, physiology, and pathophysiology. This field requires that students learn the ins and outs of the central nervous system as well as the components of neuroscience in terms of the treatment of mental illnesses and disorders. Whether your core interest is psychology or more focused on the biological aspects of prescription drugs, this is a field that encompasses it all.

Masters in Psychology Degrees by Program

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University Program Admissions
University of West Alabama Online Psychology and Counseling Degrees
Multiple programs: Bachelors in Psychology, Master's in Experimental Psychology (Clinical, Healht & Sports Psych), Family Counseling, Guidance and Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and more.
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Maryville University Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The online BA in Psychology from Maryville University will prepare you with a strong foundation in the theoretical frameworks of modern psychology. No SAT or ACT scores required.
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Pepperdine University Online Master of Psychology
Choose your path at Pepperdine: pursue licensure as either an LMFT or LPC and serve diverse clients with our online master’s in clinical psychology.
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Methodist University Online Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Gain the skills for diagnosis, clinical interview procedures, behavior analysis, and more.
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University of Texas Permian Basin Online BA in Psychology
Program provides a broad foundation of psychological science knowledge and emphasizes vital written communication and research skills that can inform and assist you in helping professions.
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What A Psychopharmacologist Does

Before researching Psychopharmacology programs, students need to understand the field. It is vital that psychiatric professionals have a clear understanding of how medicines can interact with the body and how to best use drugs throughout the treatment process.

Some of the most important areas of research in psychopharmacology is understanding how long a drug stays in a patient's body, how the drugs binds to proteins in the body, individual differences and reactions to drugs, and when the use of multiple drugs can cause unwanted side-effects. Psychopharmacologists must also understand dosage and how to get the desired outcome across patients with different weights, ages, and genders.

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History of Psychopharmacology

The history of psychopharmacology began with the cultivation of mind-altering substances that were used by tribes and varying cultures to dissociate with reality. Plants and other naturally-grown substances were shown to have properties that directly affected the human brain. Moving forward in history, psychopharmacology focused more on sedating patients until the 1950s, when more precise applications arose. During this time period, treatments for mania and psychosis became prominent, which lead to further studies in the effects of these drugs on patients.

Studies of these medications and their effects became more common during this time period. This contributed to more advanced methods of clinical trials and experimentation. As the methods for testing drugs for use became more ethical, medications for depression and anti-psychotic medications became widely available. As the modern era of psychopharmacology has moved in, it is not uncommon to find medications that are used for multiple mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. It is critical to the field of Psychology that professionals are constantly monitoring the effects of these medications on the general public.

Psychopharmacology Careers

Having an interest in psychopharmacology can assist you with finding careers in many relevant fields. With your knowledge of psychology, biology, physiology, and pharmacology, you may find yourself in some of these fields listed below. There are plenty of options available for you to pursue, depending on what your stated purpose as a professional is, and what group you desire to work with. Our team of researchers has provided some information on each career in order to give you the best insight possible.

Psychologist

Psychologists can work with a wide range of patients. Adults, children, couples, and even businesses rely on psychologists to assist them with bringing meaning to their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. In turn, patients can learn better methods of dealing with unexpected events and changing their lives for the better. With knowledge in psychopharmacology, professionals in this field can provide an even more helpful opinion in terms of medication and its helpfulness in times of need.

In order to become a psychologist, you may be expected to pursue specific degree programs and obtain a license in your desired state of employment. Explore Master’s degrees in Psychology.

Pharmacist

Psychopharmacologists learn the functions, effects, and maintenance of medications prescribed for mental illness. For individuals that have an interest solely in medication, becoming a pharmacist may be a great option. Learning to apply your knowledge of psychopharmaceuticals alongside general medications can provide for an even more knowledgeable experience while working in the field.

The requirements for this position include obtaining a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and becoming licensed, but can result in having extensive knowledge in medicines for all purposes rather than for just mental illness alone.

Child Psychologist

Child psychologists work specifically with children under the age of majority. If you are interested in both the medicinal effects of therapy as well as providing support and guidance to children suffering from mental illness or disease, this is the place to start. In this field, you may be required to shift your focus to the effects of drugs on children as well as different therapeutic methods for increasing the mental health of your patients. Specific degree requirements and licensing is required to work in this field. Here is a comprehensive review of Master’s degrees in Child Psychology.

Clinical Researcher

If you are more interested in the research applications of psychopharmacology, clinical research may be a better option. In this field, you may be responsible for conducting pharmaceutical trials or designing experiments. This field provides heavy insight into whether or not medications and treatments should be released to the public, while focusing on the health and safety of patients involved. This field may not require licensure, and can be pursued with a degree that focuses on psychopharmacology. Read the program overview of Master’s degrees in Experimental Psychology.

Common Courses In Psychopharmacology

In terms of the degree program, you may find that each is unique to the desired outcome of the student. Some master’s programs focus more on the clinical aspects of psychopharmacology, which includes courses that are designed to help professionals better treat patients. Degree programs such as this one are a great companion to previously acquired applied psychology degrees. Students that are involved in clinical degree programs are more likely to find application methods, treatment process, and patient monitoring as part of their studies.

Specific master’s programs such as substance abuse or child psychopharmacology may have courses that are slightly different than the clinical or generalized path, which provides for a more focused professional for the chosen field. If you are planning to work with children primarily, you may see courses that provide you with insight into the effects of pharmaceuticals on children rather than for the entire population. The general psychopharmacology program provides a more generalized approach to the theories of pharmacology for mental illness, which may include a more research-oriented result than that of the clinical option. Depending on which route you plan to take in your career, you may find that the curriculum changes depending on the focus.

Estimated Salary Information

As you browse through this guide to better understand the field of psychopharmacology, you probably wonder what is available to you after you have completed all of the steps required for graduation. Choosing a degree program can be a difficult decision without the knowledge of your future salary and the likelihood that your career will last a lifetime. Our experts have researched some of these factors to possibly bring you peace of mind as you make your decision. Working as a psychopharmacologist in the United States, you have the potential to earn from $41,830 to $120,320 per year based on averages (BLS; 2015). The ability to earn for this field depends on the field in which you plan to work as well as the city or region that you plan to reside.

Common Psychopharmacologist Job Options

You can find careers in schools, private offices, or hospitals and treatment centers. Some professionals choose to work for pharmaceutical companies or research facilities that focus on drug interaction with the general population. In the event that your aspirations go beyond the master’s degree level, you could even move forward to a doctor of medicine, specializing in the treatment of mental illness.

In terms of continuation, this field has the potential for growth in the future. Society has become more accepting of medicinal treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, making the market for pharmaceuticals more prominent. The pharmaceutical field continues to develop new and innovative medications that are meant to treat mental illness and disorders, making it necessary for knowledgeable professionals to be available for testing and experimentation. If you are more interested in the clinical aspect of psychopharmacology, your expertise in the field of medicine as well as your history in psychology may provide for a great combination for applied psychologist positions in your area.

List of Programs

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University Level Program Admissions
Butler University
Master Online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Website
Pepperdine University
Master Online Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis Website
Drake University
Master MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology Website
Campbellsville University
Master Master of Social Work - Substance Use Disorder Website
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