Accredited Online Master’s in Psychology in South Carolina [Updated for 2024]

South Carolina boasts many top-notch educational institutions offering online master’s degrees in psychology. These programs are ideal if you want to deepen your understanding of human behavior, mental processes, and emotions, all from the convenience of your own home.

Whether your goal is to become a licensed counselor, school psychologist, researcher, or you have aspirations in the realm of business, human resources, or social services, an online master’s in psychology can provide the necessary knowledge and skills.

Psychology master’s programs in South Carolina cover a variety of specializations, from clinical and counseling psychology to industrial-organizational psychology. Each program is designed to prepare you for the next step in your career journey.

Online Master’s in Psychology in South Carolina

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online psychology master’s programs in South Carolina:

  • Southern Wesleyan University
  • Capella University
  • Charleston Southern University
  • Columbia International University
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • Liberty University
  • Southern New Hampshire University

To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.

Southern Wesleyan University

Online Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

With Southern Wesleyan University’s online Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, you will be getting much more than just a preparation for a career in clinical mental health counseling. The program’s curriculum encourages you to use scientific evidence in your practice and considers the complete well-being of individuals. As you progress in the the program, you will work with experienced professionals in the field and have opportunities to gain practical experience.

This program equips you with the necessary training and hands-on experience to work towards becoming a Licensed Practical Counselor specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. You will deepen your understanding of:

  • The latest theories, perspectives, and methods used in mental health counseling.
  • The ethical guidelines, professional values, and legal standards that clinical mental health counselors must adhere to.
  • The process of holistic personal growth and self-evaluation.

While the courses are delivered online, you will need to participate in a summer residency, internships, and practicum experiences in person. The program requires 60 credit hours. If you opt to take three courses per semester (9 hours), or two courses along with an internship/practicum each fall, spring, and summer semester, you could finish the program in two years.

Taking fewer or more courses each semester would alter the timeframe for completion. You will be required to complete the program within five years of starting. Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Counseling Foundations and the Helping Relationship
  • Human Growth and Development I & II
  • Counseling in a Multicultural World
  • Group Dynamics and Processes
  • Psychological Assessment and Testing
  • Psychopathology
  • Psychodiagnostics

As a graduate, you are expected to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  • Assess, critique, and integrate a wide range of counseling theories, perspectives, and techniques that are used in modern mental health counseling.
  • Evaluate and critique the use of counseling theories, perspectives, and techniques in solving hypothetical case examples and real-world issues.
  • Select and justify the application of ethical and professional values, legal standards, and regulations of clinical mental health counselors in various professional settings and interactions.
  • Reflect upon and assess your own holistic personal growth.

Charleston Southern University

Online Master of Science in Clinical Counseling

At Charleston Southern University, you have the opportunity to work towards a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling. This program aims to train you to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. It focuses on educating individuals who are passionate about providing client-focused mental health care and acting as catalysts for change.

You can choose to study either online or in-person, offering flexibility to your learning experience. If you go for the online option, there’s no need to visit the campus at any point during your studies, making it a perfect choice if you are looking for a non-traditional learning path.

This clinical counseling program involves 60 credit hours in total. You will complete 51 credit hours in core courses and choose from a variety of electives for the remaining 9 credit hours. These electives let you explore specific areas of mental health counseling. Once you finish your core classes and pass a Comprehensive Exam and Practicum approval, you can move into your final clinical year.

Your final clinical year will include a 100-hour practicum experience with 40 hours of direct client services. After this, you will proceed to two internship semesters, providing 600 hours of clinical training, including 240 hours of direct client service.

After completing the program, you will be ready to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Counselors, run by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Once you pass this exam and finish supervisory training, you will be eligible to apply for a professional license in most states where you plan to work.

The program aims to:

  • Develop counselors who strive for academic excellence and actively seek help to improve their skills.
  • Train counselors who can understand and build a professional identity as a clinical counselor.
  • Educate counselors with exceptional counseling and interpersonal skills.
  • Prepare counselors who understand aspects of development, mental disorders, and treatment planning.
  • Prepare effective counselors who are culturally sensitive and responsive to diverse clients.

By the end of the program, you will have gained the necessary knowledge and skills to be a professional counselor:

  • You will be able to use theories of physical, social, and psychological development to assess and care for patients of all ages in various clinical environments.
  • You will know how to conduct a thorough assessment, conceptualize cases, and design effective treatment interventions based on your understanding of human behavior.
  • You will show cultural competency, sensitivity, and responsiveness when working with individuals, groups, and communities from diverse backgrounds.
  • You will exhibit excellent communication skills when interacting with patients, their caregivers, and other members of the healthcare team.
  • You will demonstrate exceptional professionalism, embodying high moral standards, principles, and ethical decision-making in your interactions with all patients, their caregivers, and healthcare team members.

Columbia International University

Online Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling

Are you eager to help people navigate through their mental health challenges? Then, the 60-credit Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program at Columbia International University could be perfect for you. This program is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to become a professional mental health counselor.

This program is recognized by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), meaning it aligns with the national standards for training counselors. The program’s aim is to help you grow personally while enhancing your professional knowledge and improving your interpersonal and clinical skills.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Foundations of Marriage, Family Counseling
  • Counseling Theory
  • Professional Orientation and Ethics
  • Multicultural Counseling
  • Psychopathology
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Advanced Counseling Technique and Practicum

Once you have completed the Masters in Clinical Counseling, you are set to become a licensed professional counselor. You will have a well-rounded understanding of various counseling theories, techniques, evaluation and diagnosis methods, along with ethical and legal aspects of the profession.

In addition to this, the program offers training in multicultural counseling and trauma-informed care. You will also get a chance to gain practical experience through supervised clinical roles in community organizations or private practices. This practical experience will help sharpen your counseling skills. By earning this degree, you will be ready to help people handle life’s ups and downs by addressing their emotional, mental, and spiritual needs

The teaching staff at Columbia International University are more than just educators – they are passionate professionals actively working in the field of counseling. Their hands-on experience will provide real-world insights into your classroom learning. You will experience a balanced education that focuses on academic excellence, personal growth and professional skill enhancement. Furthermore, you will receive assistance in finding practicum and internship placements, providing the essential hands-on experience to boost your career.

Here are some important points to remember if you are thinking about pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling at Columbia International University:

  • The program is CACREP-accredited for clinical mental health counseling, confirming that it adheres to the highest standards in the field. It also holds accreditations from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • The faculty members are not only subject-matter experts but also possess a deep passion for their work and are dedicated to fostering your career success.
  • In this Master’s program, you will be equipped to deal with varying perspectives and manage a broad spectrum of clinical disorders, helping you become a versatile and effective counselor.
  • The program’s educational framework focuses on a balance of academic excellence, personal growth, professional skill enhancement, and the formation of your counselor identity, which collectively contribute to your holistic growth.

Medical University of South Carolina

Master of Science in Genetic Counseling

Medical University of South Carolina’s online Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) is an ideal degree program for you if you aspire to become a genetic counselor. Genetic counselors, trained at the master’s level, are healthcare professionals with a special focus on medical genetics and psychosocial counseling.

The MSGC program consists of five semesters, amounting to a total of 58 credit hours. It’s designed to strike a balance between academics and clinical exposure, aiming to provide a compassionate, safe, and evidence-based patient care environment for your learning.

During the program, you will undertake a challenging curriculum, the majority of which is online and can be completed asynchronously. This flexibility allows you to finish the coursework whenever and wherever suits you best. For the first year, there’s no need for you to move to the university campus in Charleston, SC.

The MSGC’s unique hybrid format was specially designed to increase the accessibility of genetic counseling training to those who might find it difficult to relocate due to personal or professional circumstances. Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Genetic Counseling Principles
  • Principles of Counseling
  • Fetal and Prenatal Genetics
  • Health and Genetic Deviation
  • Principles of Public Health
  • Medical Genetics
  • Professional Issues

As an MSGC student, you will receive 17 credit hours of clinical practicum experience throughout the program. You will rotate through different practice settings such as prenatal, cancer, pediatrics, and general genetics. Additionally, depending on your interest and the availability of rotations, you will gain specialized experience in laboratory work, research, and unique practice areas like cardiology and neurology.

You will start with simulated patient counseling in your first spring semester and then move to supervised clinical placements during the first summer semester to enhance your counseling skills in a real-world setting. Over the following summer and second year, you will experience various clinical environments to expand your knowledge and skills across major genetic counseling practice areas.

Most of your clinical placements will be in South Carolina. For the second year, you should be prepared to relocate or make regular in-person visits for your clinical rotation experiences. There may also be chances for placements outside South Carolina or via Telehealth.

Throughout the program, you will work on a thesis project with guidance from a thesis committee. Additional activities like teaching and professional engagement ensure a well-rounded training experience in the field of genetic counseling. After 21 months, you will graduate with a Master of Science Degree in Genetic Counseling.

The program aims to:

Liberty University

Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Liberty University’s online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a 60-credit program, aims to provide you with the required skills and knowledge to help you acquire state licensure and become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). As an LPC, you would be a licensed practitioner, skilled in supporting individuals, families, and groups grappling with mental health and behavior-related problems.

This program is recognized by the CACREP. Being CACREP-accredited ensures that the program can adequately prepare you for licensure. CACREP accreditation also ensures that your course of study is designed to prepare you for professional licensing. Despite differences in licensing requirements from state to state, having an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling accredited by the CACREP lays the foundation for professional counselor licensure.

The online master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a range of initial courses that explore the essential aspects of human behavior. These courses aim to enlighten you on topics like the ethical and legal dimensions of counseling, counseling in a multicultural context, theories about counseling, and a multitude of other study areas crucial for best practices based on evidence.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Ethical & Legal Issues in Counseling
  • Multicultural Counseling
  • Human Growth & Development
  • Integration of Spirituality & Counseling
  • Assessment Techniques in Counseling
  • Career Development & Counseling
  • Clinical Diagnosis & Treatment Planning

The online master’s degree could aid you in becoming a morally-grounded, proficient mental health counselor who possesses the knowledge, principles, and abilities required to inspire others towards positive transformations.

This degree program prepares you for real-world counseling practice through rigorous academic modules, stimulating engagement with mentors and faculty, and a carefully planned practical experience. Integral to the online LPC program are hands-on practice and internship requirements that offer you the chance to acquire substantial real-life experience under the guidance of a licensed practicing counselor.

Once you have successfully finished your online master’s degree in counseling and passed your state licensing exam, you will be ready to pursue a fulfilling career in the professional counseling field. You may find opportunities in various fields such as healthcare, community service organizations, education, social services, or even setting up your own practice.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Psychology in South Carolina?

A master’s degree in psychology can open a wide range of career paths in South Carolina. The specific career you can pursue largely depends on your specialization during your master’s program and whether you decide to pursue licensure. Below are some potential career paths:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • School Psychologist
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
  • Behavioral Counselor
  • Social Services Manager
  • Researcher
  • College Instructor

In addition to these options, a master’s degree in psychology can be beneficial in non-psychology fields, including human resources, marketing, business management, and other fields where understanding human behavior can be advantageous.

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