What can you do with an online master’s in clinical psychology?
A master's in clinical psychology can prepare you for licensure and open the door to multiple careers. Explore your options and research salary trends as you consider which career is right for you.
By: James M. Tobin, Edited by: Rebecca Munday, Reviewed by: Megan Pietrucha
Last updated: June 19, 2025
For many psychology students, a master's degree acts as a stepping stone toward the doctorate they need to qualify for a full psychologist license. However, you can also use your master's in clinical psychology to qualify for other forms of mental healthcare licensure.
Learn what you can do with a clinical psychology master's and find the program that can help get you there.
What jobs can you get with an online master's in clinical psychology?
An online master's in clinical psychology can qualify you for careers in counseling, therapy, criminal corrections, and other fields. Find potential career paths below, with salary and employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Substance use and mental health counselors
Substance use and mental health counselors help people manage conditions like addiction, alcoholism, and depression. These professionals work in inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, hospitals, residential treatment centers, and correctional facilities.
An online master's in clinical psychology qualifies you for mental health counselor licensure.
Mental health counselors can:
- Practice independently or under the supervision of an independently licensed counselor
- Assess their client's mental health conditions
- Treat co-occurring mental health conditions
- Develop treatment plans
- Counsel individuals, families, and groups
Comparatively, substance use counselors have a more limited scope of practice until they earn a master's degree and become fully licensed as mental health counselors. To start their careers, they only need a bachelor's degree and state certification.
Education requirements for substance use and mental health counselors vary by state, but typically, they must earn at least a master's degree to practice independently. Bachelor's degree-holders may have a limited scope of practice under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor.
- Median annual salary (May 2024): $59,190
- Projected new job openings (2023-33): 84,500
Substance use and mental health counselors
Substance use and mental health counselors help people manage conditions like addiction, alcoholism, and depression. These professionals work in inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, hospitals, residential treatment centers, and correctional facilities.
An online master's in clinical psychology qualifies you for mental health counselor licensure.
Mental health counselors can:
- Practice independently or under the supervision of an independently licensed counselor
- Assess their client's mental health conditions
- Treat co-occurring mental health conditions
- Develop treatment plans
- Counsel individuals, families, and groups
Comparatively, substance use counselors have a more limited scope of practice until they earn a master's degree and become fully licensed as mental health counselors. To start their careers, they only need a bachelor's degree and state certification.
Education requirements for substance use and mental health counselors vary by state, but typically, they must earn at least a master's degree to practice independently. Bachelor's degree-holders may have a limited scope of practice under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor.
- Median annual salary (May 2024): $59,190
- Projected new job openings (2023-33): 84,500
Master's in clinical psychology licensure process
You can pursue several licensure-track psychology careers with a master's degree, including therapist or counselor roles. Some states even offer psychologist licenses to master's degree-holders, though scope of practice restrictions usually apply.
The exact steps you'll need to follow to get your license vary, depending on the state and the license type. They generally include:
- Earning a degree that meets your state's academic content area requirements
- Gaining supervised clinical experience under a fully licensed professional
- Passing one or more national or state-level examinations
For further information, consult the licensing authority for the role you wish to pursue in the state where you plan to work.
Licensure differences at the master's vs. doctoral levels
According to the Ohio Psychological Association, 20 states offer mental health licensure pathways to candidates with master's degrees. However, several key differences define the licensure systems and scopes of practice that apply to master's and doctoral candidates:
- While you cannot call yourself a "psychologist" without a doctorate in most states, you may qualify for licensed professional counseling or marriage and family therapy licensure with a master's in clinical psychology.
- A master's degree may only qualify you for certain psychologist roles, such as a school psychologist.
- Master's-level licenses may carry limited scopes of practice or professional titles that include terms like "associate," "assistant," or "limited license."
- About half of the states that license master's degree-holders require them to practice under the supervision of a psychologist with a doctoral degree and an unrestricted license.
To learn more, consult the psychology licensing board in the state where you'd like to work.
Factors that affect salary potential and career outlook with a master's in clinical psychology
Multiple factors affect your earning potential as a master's-level practitioner. Examples include:
- Location: If you live in an area with higher living costs, you'll likely earn a higher salary. Supply-and-demand labor market dynamics can also influence your earnings, especially if you specialize in a workforce shortage area.
- Experience: Salaries tend to rise alongside experience. The more experience you have, the more money you will tend to make.
- Employment setting: Your sector of employment (public or private) and industry may also impact pay rates.
If you'd like to increase your earning potential, consider upgrading to a doctorate.
Qualify for psychology doctoral programs
Earning a master's in clinical psychology can help you qualify for admission to psychology doctoral programs.
There are two types of doctoral degrees in psychology: a PhD and a PsyD. A PhD focuses more on research, while a PsyD emphasizes clinical practice.
While doctoral programs typically only require applicants to have a bachelor's degree, a master's in clinical psychology can make you a stronger applicant to either of these programs.
Earning a doctoral degree in psychology can open the door to more career opportunities and better pay. It can also position you to become a leader in the field.