Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in South Carolina

South Carolina, also known as the Palmetto State, is in the Southeastern United States. According to the United States Census, South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Many people are drawn to the state for its beautiful weather and plentiful opportunities. However, while South Carolina has many great aspects, it has its struggles. 

According to KFF, South Carolina experiences a higher rate of anxiety and depression than the national average. The amount of adults reporting depression and anxiety is 33.1% in South Carolina compared to the national average of 32.3%. 

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health has sought out money to fill the gaps in treatment to the tune of $3.6 million. This money aims to draw treatment into rural counties where the state reports no licensed psychiatrists or psychologists. Other initiatives include opening clinics throughout the state and utilizing recreational vehicles (RVs) to bring care into rural communities. 

Part of the initiative to bring care into South Carolina includes hiring new providers. According to O*Net Online, the number of mental health counselors is expected to increase by 23% in the state. This is higher than the national average of an 18% growth in the need for providers. 

Due to the increase in funding and the push for more counselors, the demand for master’s in counseling programs is increasing. Thankfully, many programs in the state meet the requirements for licensure. 

Those looking to become counselors in South Carolina have ample opportunities for employment in the state in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Counselors and students have the chance to join the South Carolina Counseling Association. This helps with networking and learning opportunities in the field.

Master of Counseling Programs in South Carolina

To become licensed as a counselor in South Carolina, it is optional to attend a program that is CACREP-accredited. Attending an accredited program helps ensure that all required courses are completed. However, if a program is not accredited, applicants must submit documentation stating that all courses are complete before obtaining licensure.

Online Master of Counseling Programs in South Carolina

There are many benefits to attending an online master of counseling program. Some benefits include the flexibility of courses, continued access to course materials, and the ability to take classes at your own pace. There are three online master of counseling programs in South Carolina.

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in South Carolina

 Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many masters of counseling programs nationwide. Meeting the counseling licensure requirements in most states is a benefit to attending a CACREP-accredited graduate program. There are six CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling programs in South Carolina. Two CACREP-accredited programs are online programs. These two accredited online programs are at Columbia International University and Winthrop University.

South Carolina Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

Specialty	University Name	Degree	City	State	Accreditation	Modality	GRE Required?	Program Length	URL
School Counseling	Clemson University	M.Ed./Ed.S.	Greenville	SC	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Clemson University	M.Ed./Ed.S.	Greenville	SC	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Columbia International University	M.A.	Columbia	SC	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	South Carolina State University, Counselor Education	M.Ed.	Orangeburg	SC	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	School Counseling
Rehabilitation Counseling	South Carolina State University, Rehabilitation Counseling	M.S.	Orangeburg	SC	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	Rehabilitation Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	South University - Columbia	M.A.	Columbia	SC	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	The Citadel	M.Ed.	Charleston	SC	CACREP				School Counseling
School Counseling	University of South Carolina, College of Education	Ed.S.	Columbia	SC	CACREP				School Counseling
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	University of South Carolina, College of Education	Ed.S.	Columbia	SC	CACREP				Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of South Carolina, College of Education	Ed.S.	Columbia	SC	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	University of South Carolina, School of Medicine	M.A.	Columbia	SC	CACREP				Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Webster University, South Carolina	M.A.	Columbia	SC	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Winthrop University	M.Ed.	Rock Hill	SC	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Winthrop University	M.Ed.	Rock Hill	SC	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling and Rehabilitation with a specialization in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	University of South Carolina	M.A	South Carolina.	SC	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 semester-credit hours.	Counseling and Rehabilitation with a specialization in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Clinical Counseling	Charleston Southern University	M.S	Charleston	SC	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	4 Years	Clinical Counseling
Counselor Education	South Carolina State University	M.Ed.	Orangeburg	SC	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	48-51 credit hours	Counselor Education
Counseling Psychology	Southern Wesleyan University	M.S	Central	SC	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2½ years	Counseling Psychology
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	South University	M.A.	Columbia	SC	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Counseling in Psychology	The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina	M.A	Charleston	SC	CACREP		No GRE Required	3 Years	Clinical Counseling in Psychology
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Winthrop University	M.Ed.	Rock Hill	SC	CACREP	Campus		60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Applied Clinical Psychology	University of South Carolina Aiken	M.S.	Aiken	SC	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Applied Clinical Psychology
Genetic Counseling	Medical University of South Carolina	M.S.G.C	Charleston	SC	CACREP	Hybrid			Genetic Counseling

No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in South Carolina

The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used to determine the aptitude of potential college admittance. However, many people get anxious about standardized tests or do not want their college admission based on test scores. Eight programs in South Carolina do not require the GRE. This means that none of the listed programs require the GRE for admission.

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Programs in South Carolina

When choosing a master of counseling program it is just as important to consider your budget as is academic quality. Thankfully, there are many affordable options in South Carolina to consider. 

The most affordable online program is at Columbia International University. This program costs $605 per credit hour. 

Under the CACREP-accredited Programs category, the most affordable program is at Clemson University. Breaking down the per-semester cost, the price tag is $539.22. This means that the program at Clemson University in Greenville, South Carolina is the most affordable master of counseling program in the state.

Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in South Carolina

Many people get to graduate school after completing a four-year degree or after a few years off from school. This means some people want to get their education and start working as soon as possible. 

In South Carolina, there are not any master of counseling programs that advertise themselves as accelerated. However, the program at Winthrop University reports that one could complete the program in two years. Two years is on the lower end of what it takes to complete a counseling program.

Required Courses for Licensure in South Carolina

According to the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation some required courses must be completed before obtaining a professional counseling license. If an applicant graduates from a CACREP-Accredited program they can be assured that the courses they complete will be adequate for licensure. Some of the required courses for licensure in South Carolina include: 

• Human Growth and Development
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Helping Relationships
• Groups
• Lifestyle and Career Development
• Appraisal
• Research and Evaluation
• Professional Orientation
• Psychopathology and/or Diagnostics

Counseling Licensure Requirements in South Carolina

According to the Board of Labor Licensing Regulation, South Carolina has two stages of licensure. 

The first stage of licensure is the Licensed Professional Counselor Associate license. To obtain this license one must graduate from an accredited graduate program or meet all course requirements. This includes a practicum of 100 hours and an internship of 600 hours under a qualified supervisor. Once the education and practicum/internship requirements are met and the applicant has graduated from their program, they must take and pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). 

The second stage of licensure is the independent Licensed Professional Counselor license. Those possessing this license no longer require supervision and can practice independently. To obtain this license one must complete 1,380 hours of supervised clinical experience and 120 hours of supervision. Supervision requires 60 hours of individual meetings but the rest can be completed in group supervision.

South Carolina Counseling FAQs

How many continuing education credits are needed for license renewal?
Applicants must complete 40 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal period. Additional hours may be required for supervisors or other specializations.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in South Carolina

According to O*Net Online, mental health counselors make an average of $47,480 per year. This is less than the national average of $53,710.

How to Become a School Counselor in South Carolina

The American School Counselor Association reports that to become licensed as a school counselor in South Carolina one must have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and completion of an advanced program approved by the state board. Upon completing the education requirements the prospective school counselor must also pass the PRAXIS exam.

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in South Carolina

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a school counselor in South Carolina is $52,330. This is significantly less than the national average of $61,710.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in South Carolina

Becoming a substance abuse counselor in South Carolina is similar to becoming a mental health counselor. 

According to the Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation, one must have a graduate degree in addiction counseling. This program must be CACREP-accredited or meet the required courses for licensure. However, the difference between addiction counseling and mental health counseling is that an applicant must have six credit hours of substance abuse courses.

It is also required that those seeking licensure as an addiction counselor in South Carolina take and pass either the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam or the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam.

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in South Carolina

According to O*Net Online, a substance abuse counselor in South Carolina can expect to make an average of $47,480. This is less than the national average of $53,710.

What Other Career Options Are Available to Those with a Degree in Mental Health Counseling

The skills learned in a Master’s of Counseling program open the door for many positions outside the counseling profession. Some of the important skills learned in school and the counseling field include communication, problem-solving, and crises. Some positions with this degree include human resources, governmental social services, education, and non-profit leadership. Many people in the field also get into counseling consulting where they work alongside other counselors without working with clients.