Expand Your Impact in Mental Health Care with Drake's MSCP
Next Application Deadline: August 18, 2025
Complete in 2 Years // $600/Credit // 30 Credit Hours
Drake University’s online Master’s in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) equips licensed post-doctoral psychologists with the specialized training needed to prescribe medication in Iowa and other states. This advanced credential not only enhances your scope of practice but also helps increase access to essential mental health care—a critical need in today’s healthcare landscape.
With your MSCP degree, you’ll be prepared to sit for the Psychopharmacology Exam for Psychologists (PEP). After passing the exam and completing a supervised fellowship with a licensed physician, you’ll be ready to apply for prescriptive certification—allowing you to provide more comprehensive care to your patients and expand your professional opportunities.
Have a specific question? Email us at drakeonline@drake.edu.
Program Information Sessions
Dr. Ryan Ernst, training director for the MSCP program, holds monthly webinars for potential students. Each webinar begins with a 10-15 minute introduction to the program, followed by an open question and answer session. The format is informal and all questions about Drake or becoming a prescribing psychologist are welcomed. Please click the link to register for an upcoming webinar.
Graduate Fellowship-Ready
Support from Drake University doesn’t end with graduation. Receive assistance in connecting with practice sites for your experiential fellowship under the guidance of a physician. Fellowship is a requirement to becoming certified to prescribe and conditions of completion vary from state to state.
APA Designation
The MSCP program at Drake University has been designated by the American Psychological Association (APA) as an Education and Training Program in Psychopharmacology for Prescriptive Authority. Designation status is professional recognition that the Drake program meets the highest level of academic and training standards. Drake University is the 6th MSCP program in the country to achieve APA designation.
100% Online
Fall Start Only
No Application Fee
The clinical psychopharmacology program delivers career-focused competencies in four key areas. Upon graduation, you will be prepared for the following:
Drake’s online MSCP program delivers a comprehensive curriculum covering pharmacology, neuroscience, physiology, pathology, and more—giving you the in-depth knowledge needed to integrate psychopharmacology into your practice. Taught by experienced practitioners and subject matter experts, this program prepares you to collaborate effectively with other clinicians and healthcare providers.
Designed for busy professionals, the program is mostly asynchronous, allowing you to balance coursework with your current caseload and office hours. Most courses include just one weekly virtual session, with the rest of the learning done on your schedule—giving you the flexibility to advance your expertise without putting your practice on hold.
Drake's MSCP program was developed for individuals licensed at the doctoral level. As such, the MSCP is a post-doctoral program only. Applicant's must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a doctoral degree in psychology.
For psychologists planning to pursue a certificate of prescriptive authority in a US state, province or territory that allows for this through their respective scope of practice law, the psychologist must additionally complete a fellowship that is sponsored by Drake University. To apply for fellowship, the psychologist must:
For psychologists or other healthcare professionals interested in pursuing additional education in psychopharmacology outside of the MSCP program, Drake’s CPHS offers a 12-hour Psychopharmacotherapy Certificate Program.
Drake University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS) prepares students for the future of health care. Whether graduates are pursuing practice, administration, or research, they receive the foundational knowledge, skills, and perspectives that allow them to excel in their chosen career path. The CPHS faculty and staff are committed to developing leaders who are committed to lifelong learning, innovation, and excellence.
Drake MSCP Program Vision Statement
To be the premier American Psychology Association Designated Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology, providing comprehensive training and education to empower our graduates with the knowledge and skills to improve mental health outcomes for individuals and communities, especially within underserved regions and populations.
Drake MSCP Program Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide advanced training and education to psychologists in the field of clinical psychopharmacology, with the goal of enhancing their ability to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care to individuals with mental health conditions. We strive to promote ethical and responsible prescribing practices, informed by the latest scientific research. We are committed to developing psychologists who are skilled in pharmacological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning and who possess the knowledge and expertise to collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning, and ongoing professional development, our program prepares psychologists to integrate medication management, when appropriate, into their psychotherapy practice in a safe, responsible, effective, and compassionate manner to serve all patients of diverse backgrounds in a safe, welcoming and affirming manner.
If you're now prepared to advance in your career, we're waiting at the ready to review your application. Apply today with no application fee!