Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, is a well-known private institution in Karnataka, widely recognized for its programs in mental health and allied health sciences. Established in 1953 and granted deemed university status in 1993, MAHE is known for its clinical excellence and for equipping students with evidence-based psychological assessment and intervention skills. Recognized as an Institute of Eminence by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in 2020, the institute's psychology programs attract students from across India. Beyond its main campus in Manipal, the university has campuses in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Jamshedpur.

Psychology Programs Offered by MAHE Manipal

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) offers the following programs in Clinical Psychology:

• MSc Clinical Psychology (non-RCI program)
• MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) (formerly MPhil Clinical Psychology)

The MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) program offered by MAHE is recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), ensuring the regulatory requirements for professional training in clinical psychology.

MSc Clinical Psychology

The MSc Clinical Psychology program at MAHE is a 2-year, full-time postgraduate program offered by the Department of Clinical Psychology. MSc Clinical Psychology is a non-RCI program and focuses mainly on building strong foundations in psychological theory and hands-on training in assessment, interviewing, and case understanding. The program allows students to engage with real clinical cases, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application.

Eligibility Criteria for MSc Clinical Psychology

• Candidates must have a BA/BSc degree in Psychology from a UGC-recognized university, with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks or equivalent in the qualifying examination.

Method of Selection for MSc Clinical Psychology

• Admission to the MSc Clinical Psychology program offered by MAHE will be based on the Manipal Entrance Test (MET).
• The merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the Entrance Test.
• Notification of Provisional Admission will be given to the shortlisted candidates, subject to document verification and meeting of eligibility criteria.

Application Process for MSc Clinical Psychology Program at MAHE

1. Visit the official application submission portal.
2. Register and Create an Account: New users must create an account by providing basic details and verifying their email address.
3. Fill the Application Form: Complete the online form carefully, including academic details, personal information, and program preference.
4. Upload Documents: Applicants must upload scanned copies of their academic transcripts, photograph, and signature as per the specified format.
5. Pay the Application Fee: Use the online portal to pay the fee and complete the submission process.

MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) (formerly MPhil Clinical Psychology)

The MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) (formerly MPhil Clinical Psychology) program at MAHE, Manipal, includes supervised clinical training, assessment, and therapeutic intervention. It’s a full-time, on-campus program. Successful completion of the program makes graduates eligible for an RCI license, allowing them to work as clinical psychologists in India.

Eligibility Criteria for MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) MAHE

Candidates must meet any one of the following criteria to be eligible for admission to the MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) program at Manipal Academy:

• A 4-year BA/BSc in Psychology from a UGC-recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks, OR
• A 3-year BA/BSc in Psychology or Clinical Psychology with at least 55% marks, along with a completed 2-year MA/MSc in Psychology or Clinical Psychology (with minimum 55% marks), OR
• A 3-year BA/BSc in Psychology or Clinical Psychology with at least 55% marks, along with completion of the first year of MA/MSc in Psychology or Clinical Psychology with a minimum of 55% marks.

Method of Selection for MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) at MAHE

• Selection to the MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) program at MAHE, Manipal, will be based on the Manipal Entrance Test (MET) 2026.
• A merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the Entrance Test.
• Notification of Provisional Admission will be given to the shortlisted candidates, subject to document verification and meeting of eligibility criteria.

Exam Pattern for MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) at MAHE

• Test Duration: 120 Minutes
• Total Questions: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Syllabus of the Entrance Test:
  • Biopsychology (15 questions),
  • Development Psychology (15 questions),
  • Abnormal Psychology (15 questions),
  • Psychological Assessment (15 questions),
  • Psychotherapy and Counselling (15 questions),
  • Biostatistics and Research Methodology (10 questions), and
  • Language Skills (15 questions).
• Total Marks: 400
• Marking Scheme:
  • Correct Answer: +4
  • Incorrect Answer: -1
  • Unanswered: 0

Application Process and Fee for MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) Program at MAHE

1. Visit the official MAHE Application Portal.
2. Register and Create an Account: New users must create an account by providing basic details and verifying their email address.
3. Fill the Application Form: Complete the online form carefully, including academic details, personal information, and program preference.
   1. In the “Program Level Applying For”, fill in “Postgraduation – PG.”
   2. In the “Stream”, fill in “Allied Health Sciences.”
   3. In the “Program”, fill in “M.Sc. Clinical Psychology/Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (M.A. Cl.Psy.).”
4. Upload Documents: Applicants must upload scanned copies of their academic transcripts, photograph, and signature as per the specified format.
5. Pay the Application Fee: Use the online portal to pay the fee and complete the submission process.

Recommended Books to Prepare for MA Clinical Psychology (RCI)

Students preparing for the MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) entrance exam at MAHE, Manipal, may find the following books helpful. These texts cover core areas such as psychopathology, assessment, research methodology, statistics, and clinical theories.

• Introduction to Psychology (8th-10th Edition): Rita Atkinson and Hilgard
• Social Psychology: Baron Robert
• Human Development: Papalia and Sally Olds
• Cognitive Psychology: Robinson-Riegler / Sternberg and Sternberg
• Statistics: Quinn McNemar / Minium
• Biopsychology: Arvind Otta
• Research Method: James Goodwin / Lewin & Fox / A. K. Singh
• Psychological Testing: Ronald Jay Cohen and Mark E. Swerdlik
• Abnormal Psychology: Sarason and Sarason / R. Comerc
• Clinical Psychology: Alan Carr / Hecker and Geoffrey
• Psychology Question Bank: Arvind Otta

ALSO READ: How Much Time Does It Take To Prepare For Psychology Entrance Exams? A Realistic Guide for Students

Important Dates for MA and MSc Clinical Psychology Programs

The following are the dates for the MA and MSc Clinical Psychology programs:

• Last Date to Submit the Application form: March 23, 2026
• Date of Entrance Exam: April 13 & 14, 2026
• Declaration of Result: To be announced on the official website
• Orientation and Commencement of Class: September 1, 2026

NOTE: The dates are tentative and may vary. Applicants should check the official MAHE website for updates or changes, or they can contact us at UPS Education.

Students’ Reviews

• The notes contain key topics asked in various M.Phil Clinical Psychology entrance examinations! The staff has been incredibly helpful in guiding me through the entire process. (Anagha Suresh, MAHE Manipal)
  
  
  

• (Shivali Dewoolkar, MAHE Manipal)
  
  

Need More Help?

For more details about the program or information about different psychology entrance examinations, you can contact us at UPS Education using the details below:

Contact no: +91-9990717772

Website: upseducation.in

References