Best institutions to study Psychopharmacology
A program that focuses on the study of the behavioral effects of medications, drugs, nutrients, and chemicals (including natural and artificial toxins) in laboratory and clinical settings.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 74 Psychopharmacology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2709, a specialization of Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27), and leads most directly to the Psychologists, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 19-3039).
About Psychopharmacology programs
A program that focuses on the study of the behavioral effects of medications, drugs, nutrients, and chemicals (including natural and artificial toxins) in laboratory and clinical settings. Includes instruction in pharmacology, behavioral toxicology and pharmacology, neuroscience, physiology, clinical psychopharmacology, substance abuse treatments and antidotes, neurochemical mechanisms, epidemiology of chemicals and substances, biochemical interactions, and psychoactive drugs.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Psychopharmacology program, a specialization within Research and Experimental Psychology, focuses on understanding the behavioral effects of various medications, drugs, and chemicals. This program is designed for students interested in the intersection of psychology and pharmacology, providing insights into how substances influence behavior in both laboratory and clinical settings.
Students will gain knowledge in areas such as pharmacology, behavioral toxicology, neuroscience, and clinical psychopharmacology. Coursework may also cover substance abuse treatments, neurochemical mechanisms, and the epidemiology of chemicals and substances.
Credentials awarded
What Psychopharmacology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree73 graduates / yr · 5 institutions99%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.4%
Graduates over time
Psychopharmacology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 37 |
| 2013 | 39 |
| 2014 | 36 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 67 |
| 2025 | 74 |
Top 5 institutions for Psychopharmacology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 42 | 0% | — |
| 2 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 69% | $26,034 |
| 3 | Drake University Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 6 | 74% | $28,855 |
| 4 | Alliant International University - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 5 | — | — |
| 5 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicMaster's | 2 | 55% | — |
Offered in 4 states
Where Psychopharmacology graduates come from. Each state links to all Research and Experimental Psychology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | 47 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles42 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 19 | Thomas Jefferson University19 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 6 | Drake University6 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 2 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3039, Psychologists, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Psychopharmacology program can pursue careers as psychologists, medical scientists, or health specialties teachers. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.3% and approximately 3,900 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $117,580, typically requiring a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 42.2709
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Psychologists, All Otherprimary SOC 19-3039 | $110,840 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~3,900 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Research and Experimental Psychology specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27).
- Research and Experimental PsychologyCIP 42.279914,082 graduates / yr152 institutions
- Experimental PsychologyCIP 42.27044,599 graduates / yr74 institutions
- Developmental and Child PsychologyCIP 42.27031,771 graduates / yr63 institutions
- Behavioral NeuroscienceCIP 42.27061,391 graduates / yr32 institutions
- Social PsychologyCIP 42.2707455 graduates / yr33 institutions
- Cognitive Psychology and PsycholinguisticsCIP 42.2701382 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Psychometrics and Quantitative PsychologyCIP 42.2708210 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Personality PsychologyCIP 42.2705limited data23 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Comparative PsychologyCIP 42.2702limited data16 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Developmental and Adolescent Psychology42.2710
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.3%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 5 colleges offering the Psychopharmacology program in the U.S.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a psychologist, medical scientist, or health specialties teacher, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Psychopharmacology?+
Psychopharmacology is CIP 42.2709 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the study of the behavioral effects of medications, drugs, nutrients, and chemicals (including natural and artificial toxins) in laboratory and clinical settings. Includes instruction in pharmacology, behavioral toxicology and pharmacology, neuroscience, physiology, clinical psychopharmacology, substance abuse treatments and antidotes, neurochemical mechanisms, epidemiology of chemicals and substances, biochemical interactions, and psychoactive drugs.
How many institutions offer Psychopharmacology programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Psychopharmacology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 74 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.
How much do Psychopharmacology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Psychologists, All Other occupation, which Psychopharmacology most directly leads to, pays a median of $110,840 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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