Master of Arts in Psychology: Clinical Counseling
The Master of Arts in Psychology: Clinical Counseling program at The Citadel provides in-person graduate education for individuals seeking to become professional counselors in diverse mental health settings, including college counseling centers, hospitals, community mental health agencies, private practice and social service organizations.
Our mission is to prepare students to become ethical, multiculturally competent, evidence-informed practitioners. The program’s in-person training model emphasizes the application of theories of human development, psychopathology, multiculturalism, and cognitive behavior change to complex psychosocial concerns. Through a scholarly, evidence-based approach, students develop the professional competencies necessary for compassionate, culturally responsive clinical practice.
The curriculum is developed according to guidelines set forth by the Council of Applied Masters Programs in Psychology (CAMPP).
Program Highlights
- Format: In-person, evening (after 4:00 pm) classes on campus
- Application Deadlines: February 15 (summer and fall terms) and October 1 (spring term)
- Completion Time: Part-time or Full-time options (3 years+)
- Total Credits: 60 credit hours
An Accredited Program
The Citadel’s M.A. in Psychology: Clinical Counseling program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). The program has maintained continuous accreditation since May 2002 and is currently accredited through June 2030.
Why choose The Citadel’s Clinical Counseling Program?
- 100% Licensure Pass-Rate: Graduates are well prepared to navigate licensure requirements. Since 2015, our program graduates have reported a 98% first-time pass rate, compared to state averages of 72% (NCE) and 53% (NCMHCE), and 100% passage overall.
- 79% of Graduates Employed Before Graduation: The program maintains a strong reputation within the community and the profession. Since 2016, 79% of graduates secured employment in the field prior to graduation, and an additional 17% obtained employment within three months.
- Evidence-Based, Scholarly Training: Training is grounded in psychological science and evidence-based practice. Students learn to approach client concerns through careful assessment, scholarly inquiry, and development of effective, research-informed intervention strategies.
- Diverse, Hands-On Clinical Experience: Students complete field placements in a wide variety of organizations, serving diverse populations across numerous clinical settings.
- Leadership in the Field: Our alumni become leaders in mental health practice by directing agencies and programs, serving on community and professional boards, holding leadership roles in state and national organizations, and operating successful private practices.
Licensure Preparation
Coursework aligns with requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor in South Carolina. Students may also meet requirements for licensure as an Addictions Counselor.
Program Details & Admissions
Program Structure
The program is divided into three distinct course blocks, each building upon the one before. The curriculum consists of a total of 60 credit hours, including 30 credit hours of core courses, a three credit hour course in addictions, a three credit hour course in career counseling, 10 hours of advanced courses, five hours of electives, and nine hours of fieldwork.
Core Coursework
Upon completion of the core coursework, students should have a firm theoretical grasp of normal and abnormal development, and they should understand the major theories of personality and behavior change. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of foundations of psychology and counseling, necessary assessment skills, and excellent communication and listening skills. Students will appreciate the importance and utility of the scientific method for advancing knowledge and clinical practice. Finally, students will have a firm grasp of ethical/legal and other issues essential to professional practice.
Advanced Coursework
Following a demonstration of competency in the content of core courses as indicated by a passing score on a comprehensive examination, students will move onto the second block of courses. These courses prepare students to be practitioners and specifically address skill development and preparation for field placement experiences. Students will be exposed to theory and practice of group and individual counseling. They will learn about the process of counseling from diagnostic assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning through treatment evaluation and termination. The courses in this advanced clinical block are applied and blend didactic and experiential components to facilitate the development of therapeutic skills.
Field Experience
The final block of courses consists of two field experiences: a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship.
The practicum and internship courses reflect the culmination of the program and provide students with structured, supervised experiences with actual clients in a variety of settings, including college counseling centers, county mental health agencies, child advocacy centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, hospitals, residential programs, shelters, day treatment programs, and others. Students can choose to work with a wide range of populations and areas of interest including children/adolescents, college students, veterans, trauma, substance abuse, severe mental illness, behavioral problems, etc.
During these experiences, students can integrate and apply their coursework to actual clinical problems by conducting psychosocial or diagnostic assessments, developing treatment plans, and implementing intervention strategies. Students are expected to build awareness of professional and clinical strengths and weaknesses, a personal style of counseling, and to develop as professionals. It is important to note that many of our field placement experiences turn into employment opportunities for students upon graduation.
The Master’s in Clinical Counseling program must be completed within five years of initial enrollment.
Applying to the Clinical Counseling Program
The Citadel’s M.A. in Psychology: Clinical Counseling program is committed to recruiting and retaining students who represent the full breadth of our society and who possess a variety of perspectives and experiences. Additionally, the program is dedicated to training multiculturally competent counselors who can meet the needs of our complex society and community. View the student admissions, outcome and program data.
Application Deadlines
The program admits qualified candidates twice per academic year.
| Admission Term | Materials Due | Interviews Held |
|---|---|---|
| Summer/Fall | February 15 | TBD |
| Spring | October 1 | October 22, 23, 24 |
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Clinical Counseling Program is based on a competitive review of all application materials.
- Completion of the online graduate application along with the non-refundable application fee
- Submission of an official transcript of the baccalaureate degree directly from each accredited college or university and transcripts from all postgraduate institutions attended.
- Applicants are expected to have a grade point average of 3.0 (or graduate grade point average of 3.0) and 9 credit hours in psychology (with a minimum of a C grade).
- A score of 600 on the GRE Subject Examination in Psychology is acceptable in lieu of the credit hour requirement.
- Submission of a completed Admissions Questionnaire, including two essay questions
- Submission of two letters of recommendation
- Submission of a resume or curriculum vita
Currently enrolled Citadel undergraduate students may apply for early admission into the M.A. in Psychology: Clinical Counseling Program. All regular admission qualifications must be met for the application to be reviewed. Any applicant not granted with an early admission will automatically be included in the regular admission cycle.
Student & Employer Testimonials
Student Testimonials
 – Jen Bennett, LPC, Private practice |
 – Byron Brooks, Clinical Ph.D. candidate |
 –Tessa Trask, LPC, Private practice |
Employer Testimonials
“I’ve hired several students over the years.”
I have been involved as a supervisor for interns from the Citadel for over a decade, and I have found their preparation and knowledge base in an advanced stage as they begin their practicum/internships. Their performance has been consistent and at a high level, to the point, that I have hired several students over the years. The leadership and dedication of the faculty are evident in my interactions with students and is a reason for the continued success and my involvement with the program.– W. Jonas Coatsworth MA, LPC, CAC-II
Director of Clinical Services, Waypoint Recovery Center
“I have been impressed by both their willingness and skillfulness in learning evidence-based techniques.”
I have an exclusive team of Citadel graduates serving as protocol counselors across three PTSD studies funded by the VA and Department of Defense. I established a field placement opportunity at the VA in Charleston for Citadel students and realized that they were operating so well alongside psychology doctoral interns that they would serve our veterans as excellent protocol therapists. I have been impressed by both their willingness and skillfulness in learning evidence-based techniques to deal with PTSD, which is one of the hardest psychological conditions to treat.– Ron Acierno, Ph.D.
Professor, Medical University of South Carolina