While most universities have departments, colleges or schools of psychology, it also common to find many fields related to psychology placed in other schools and colleges. For example, it would not be uncommon to have an education psychology PhD degree program that is offered in a school of education. Likewise, many graduate psychology students will find it necessary to take classes that exist outside of the psychology school or college. Students may take classes in sociology, anthropology, education, and even biology. Students who earn master’s and PhD degrees in psychology will either focus on clinical or research-based psychological study. There is often overlap between these tracks.

This list is taken largely from U.S. News and World Report and reflects what are considered to be the best schools and colleges of psychology in the country. The schools listed here offer top clinical psychology programs for master’s and PhD students, though they also offer some of the best research based programs as well.

1. University of California–Los Angeles This department of psychology does not offer an M.A. in psychology. It only offers PhD degree programs. Students have a wide number of concentrations to choose from, such as neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and quantitative psychology, and social psychology.

2. University of Washington This department of psychology does offer an M.S. in psychology, as well as a PhD, but students who plan on a terminal M.S. are not allowed admittance. The program is based on students’ close study with faculty mentors. While there may be classes, most study is completed independently.

3. University of Wisconsin–Madison This department concentrates on providing students with opportunity to excel in research and scholarship. Students are encouraged to publish in academic journals. Many students in this department have already published multiple studies before earning their PhD degrees.

4. University of California–Berkeley Students in this department may choose from concentrations such as behavioral psychology, cognition, and clinical science. The department produces scholars and researchers who work independently to complete forward-thinking and unique research projects and studies.

5. University of Minnesota–Twin Cities This is a highly competitive program that allows students to focus on clinical research and practice. The department offers master’s and PhD degree programs.

6. Indiana University–Bloomington The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences offers students PhD degree programs which encourage them to study the brain and behavior from a number of different perspectives, using a wide array of methods and knowledge from different disciplines.

7. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill The department offer PhD degrees for qualified students. Students learn to become valuable members of research and scholarly communities. Students also have the option to go through clinical training that allows them to become practitioners.

8. Yale University Students in this department may work to earn PhD degrees in a number of different fields. The school offers a wide array of subjects and disciplines for students to study. Students are encouraged to study with different advisors and mentors and develop a core education in psychology.

9. Duke University The School of Psychology and Neuroscience is highly competitive and only offers about 12 PhD degrees each year. Students may choose from a variety of disciplines and learn about different perspectives of the brain sciences.

10. Pennsylvania State University–University Park This department offers students a number of innovative and cutting edge concentrations and interdisciplinary studies related to the field of psychology, such as Psychology and Women’s Studies.