Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
These programs are distinguished by the importance given to practice and by their specializations.
as close as possible to business needs
Duration:
3 years
Language:
French
Diploma:
Bac+5
Master of Science
120 ECTS credits
Campus:
Paris - La Defense
Next school year
September 2026
What opportunities are there after the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology?
There are many different careers available with a 5-year degree in psychology. ESPÉ's ambition is to train students to work in the private sector, whether in companies, associations or humanitarian organizations, or in self-employed or entrepreneurial activities.
Setting up in private practice
Like 25% of young psychology graduates, you can decide to set up your own practice as soon as you finish your studies.
Specialization in therapeutic approaches includes in-depth training giving you the keys to setting up your own practice (legal and financial constraints, communication issues). This set-up is a continuation of the experience you will have gained during your internship and at our training center.
After that, it's up to you to determine the type of patient base you're aiming for and the psychological approach (or approaches) that suit you best. Specializing in addiction is very different from treating burn-out. There are many choices, and no perfect formula. It all depends on the individual. That's why it's so important to work on these elements beforehand during your training.
This career choice also has its constraints, not least because it is often made alone. That's why we advise those who make this choice to enter into a supervision process with a trained psychologist.
Psychology professions in the private sector
In public or private medical-social institutions, associations or companies, there are many professions associated with psychology and mental health.
For example, specializing in the psychology of humanitarian and social action gives you the legitimacy to work in NGOs or in the social intervention/leadership professions.
You can also join the corporate world to deal with psycho-social risks or human resources management (skills assessment, recruitment), where psychological skills are fundamental.
In all cases, our careers department will be there to support you in your questioning and help you define the right strategies for achieving your professional goals.
Psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in psychiatry. As such, he or she can prescribe medication, but also provide therapy.
The title of psychologist is governed by the law of July 25, 1985 (decree of March 22, 1990) and reserved for graduates who have completed 5 years of university or state-approved training at the Ecole de Psychologues Praticiens. Psychologist positions in the civil service (police, hospitals) are reserved for them. To obtain the title of psychotherapist, they must be able to justify 500 hours of clinical training.
ESPÉ diplomas do not give access to the protected titles of psychiatrist/psychologist/psychotherapist.
Admission condition for our Master of Science de in Clinical Psychology
Requirements to apply
Our Master of Science in Clinical Psychology is open to holders of a bachelor's degree in psychology from a French university, or a bachelor's degree in psychology for foreign students.
Students with a Bachelor's degree have access to our MSc programs if they wish to continue their studies.
Selection is for the first year only, and it is not possible to enter the program in another year, given the program's specific pedagogical features.
Steps in the admission process
Applications are made outside MonMaster on the dedicated ESPÉ platform.
An initial selection is made on the basis of a cover letter explaining your application, and grades from your 3-year Bachelor's degree (L1 and L2 grades + grades from the first semester of L3).
Candidates admitted to the oral exam will be interviewed by a panel including at least one psychologist.
Applications for the January 2025 start date are still open.
For the September 2025 start date, the jury will meet once a month from January onwards.
Candidate selection criteria
The jury analyzes the applications by combining objective academic aspects (grades), written expression and reasoning skills demonstrated in the written submissions, and human skills demonstrated during the interview.
The jury analyzes the applications by combining the objective academic aspects (grades), the skills of written expression and reasoning demonstrated in the written material provided, and the human skills demonstrated during the interview.
The academic dimension is necessarily taken into account to ensure that the candidate will be able to successfully validate his or her courses. But the human dimension is of paramount importance, because we need to assess whether the candidate can cope with studying psychology (which is not a study like any other) and then make a good mental health professional.
Application fees
The application fee is €50, non-refundable.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the full program amounts to 18 000* euros, or 9 000* euros per year (excluding professionalization year).
Why doing a Bachelor of Science in psychology ?
The Bachelor of Science is a diploma recognized in France and abroad for its specialization in a field which is aimed at students holding a baccalaureate or a bac+2. It provides a balance between advanced teaching in psychology and close to business needs, international experience and professional experience.
Why choose the ESPÉ Bachelor?
Applications are made off MonMaster on the dedicated ESPÉ platform for students selected for their aptitudes for psychology studies wanting to integrate a demanding course backed by research and led by mental health practitioners, with a real international dimension and a progressive professional immersion benefiting from personalized career support.
What studies can I undertake after a bachelor's degree in psychology?
After 3 years of study, ESPÉ Bachelor students obtain a bachelor of science in psychology at bac+3 level validating 180 ECTS credits. They can then continue their Master's studies in France or abroad. They also benefit from facilities for joining ESPÉ's Master of Science programs.
Is ESPÉ bachelor's degree accessible with a bac+1 or a bac+2?
Parallel admissions are possible in 2nd and 3rdth years under the condition of being able to justify the baccalaureate and a license 1 or 2 (depending on the year of admission targeted) in psychology before integration into the school (Bachelor of Science 1 or 2 for foreign universities)
Why choose ESPÉ's Master of Science in Clinical Psychology?
The MSc in Clinical Psychology takes comparative analysis of different approaches a step further, and offers two specializations in the final year: "Clinique de l'exclusion" or "Approches thérapeutiques".
Practice is at the heart of the MSc, with an optional year dedicated to professionalization, followed by an internship at the ESPÉ training center.
The program also includes training in psychological testing to help you in your practice.
In addition, specific courses give you the tools you need to open your own practice directly after graduation.
Our Master of Science in Clinical Psychology offers an innovative academic program that stands out from other psychology courses thanks to :
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intense professional immersion, thanks in particular to the ESPÉ training center and a clinical supervision program
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final-year specializations in line with professional needs
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a demanding, research-based curriculum led by mental health practitioners
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an international dimension
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personalized career guidance
Program organization
An innovative program in clinical psychology
An academic curriculum that puts practice first
The First Year
This is characterized by the interplay of different approaches (psychoanalytic, CBT, humanistic) with an integrative focus, enabling you to respond to patients' needs using the tools and methods best suited to the problem at hand.
Practical courses enable you to acquire the operational skills of a future mental health professional, such as leading therapy groups or identifying high-potential children.
Options are offered each semester to explore specific themes in greater depth. In the first semester, students can choose between "Psychology and Autism" and "Psychology and Justice", and in the second semester between "Counselling Psychology" and "Adolescent Psychology".
Alongside classes held on dedicated days (Thursday, Friday), students must complete 300 hours of clinical placement. These placements are supported by a supervision scheme provided by the school.
Optional Professionalization Year
This optional year is dedicated to professionalization. Three formats are available:
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dedicate your year to a 10-month internship (or 1,000 h)
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Spend a semester abroad with one of our partner universities, then dedicate the second part of the year to a 6-month internship (or 500 h).
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Dedicate your year to academic exchange
These internships are accompanied by a high level of clinical supervision, as the ESPÉ offers supervision in small groups (15 students maximum) supervised by experienced clinical psychologists.
This experience is the subject of an internship report, which will be taken back to the classroom during the first supervision sessions of the final year of the MSc.
The Second Year
Several courses enable you to consider the operational installation of your practice as a mental health professional, having been able to test your ideas in a caring environment with your fellow students and teachers.
This is also an opportunity to develop your practical skills through placements and the ESPÉ training centre, on days dedicated to professional development (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). As for the training centre, inspired by the university clinic model widely developed in Quebec, it allows you to work with patients under the supervision of experienced psychologists, with whom you review — both in group and individual sessions — the filmed consultations, with the participants' consent.
At the end of the coursework, you can complete additional internships and defend your research thesis, thereby completing the program.
Example of courses
Les courants psycho-thérapeutiques
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Thérapie psychodynamique
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Thérapies cognitives et comportementales (TCC)
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Systémie et humaniste
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Approche comparée des psychothérapies
Evaluation, diagnostic et intervention
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Bilan psychologique
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Médiations thérapeutiques
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Psycho-trauma
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Risque suicidaire
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WISC V
Recherche : Méthode et outils
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Traitements statistiques
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Séminaires de mémoire de recherche
Options
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Semestre 1 - Psychologie & Autisme
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Semestre 1 - Psychologie & Justice
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Semestre 2 - Psychologie de l'orientation
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Semestre 2 - Psychologie de l'adolescent
Psychologie Clinique
• TCC et Psychotrauma
• Initiation à l’EMDR et ICV
• Stratégie et temps d’intervention
Méthode et outils
• Déontologie et Ethique
• Pharmacologie clinique
• Santé mentale – Prévention et intervention
Parcours Approche thérapeutique intégrative
• Accompagnement à la parentalité
• Pratique des thérapies systémiques
• Construire l’alliance thérapeutique
• Introduction à la sexologie
• Les outils de la pratique libérale
• Cadre légal et droit privé
Parcours Clinique de l'exclusion
• Intervention en temps de crise auprès des victimes et des aidants
• Santé mentale et milieu associatif
• L'exil et ses conséquences psychologiques
• Clinique des addictions
• Accompagnement à la réinsertion
Options to personalize your course
The second year continues to train in assessment, diagnosis and intervention practices, while specializing in one area. Two options are available:
The Therapeutic Approaches pathway specializes in the management of problems within the family unit and dedicated techniques.
The Clinical approach to exclusion pathway is a continuation of the option offered in Bachelor 3, and aims to provide a better understanding of mental health care in crisis situations, as well as in the context of the health and social environment.
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