FAQs

The Clinical Counseling program admits students on a rolling basis. While we do not have a hard application deadline, students can only be admitted for the fall semester. There are 30 designated seats in each cohort.

We are looking for well-rounded application who will help us achieve our mission statement as a program. Goal statements are considered by faculty as a writing sample, showing the applicant’s capacity for written work, clarity of thought, and ability to address the given prompts. Please review our admissions page for specific application requirements.

Our program can accommodate up to 30 new students each fall.

Once your application has been submitted, a complete checklist of required documents will populate. The goals statement will be listed in that checklist.

Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement will be required to submit an addendum to their goals statement. In the addendum, applicants have the opportunity to explain why they do not meet this requirement and how they will maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout the program.

A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may submit an addendum to the goals statement that supports and describes his or her capacity to be successful at the graduate level, petitioning for Academic Probationary Acceptance. Those conditionally accepted to the program under Academic Probationary Acceptance status must earn at least a 3.0 GPA during the first semester to continue in the program.​ Note: Under this acceptance status, any grades below a ‘B’ during the first semester will result in immediate dismissal from the program; the ability to repeat a course, due to earning a grade of ‘C’ or ‘D’, is only an option for students in full standing.

Students might incur the following costs associated with the program:

• Initial Background Check & Urine Drug Screen: $300
• Yearly drug screening: ~$50
• Clinical Counseling fee each fall semester: $200
• Laptop purchase: ~$1,500
• Memberships: $200
• Professional Development: $1,500

For a comprehensive list of fees, please visit Tuition & Costs.

Applicants may investigate the states in which they want to obtain a counseling license and explore state licensing boards for updates in this area. The MSCC degree meets all CACREP content area requirements, which is a substantial licensure requirement for most states.

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Program is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and is also CACREP accredited.

The clinical counseling program consists of 60 credit hours.  Students will complete 51 credit hours in core course work and 9 credit hours in electives. The program offers various course options for elective course work that allow students in-depth assessment into specific areas of mental health counseling. Once the student has completed core classes, a passing score on a Comprehensive Exam and approval for Practicum allows progression to the final clinical year.

During the final clinical year, an initial 100-hour practicum experience includes 40 hours of direct client services. Students then progress toward two internship semesters which provide 600 hours of clinical training, including 240 hours of direct client service. The Clinical Coordinator for the program will work with students to ensure placement at clinical sites that meet the standards of the program and the needs of the individual student. Online students will be assisted in finding placements within their communities as well.

While a full-time student who is taking three to four courses a semester can complete the program in 33 months or 8 semesters, the program does offer a part-time option for degree completions which consists of two courses per semester for the first two years.

Courses are offered in the evenings, typically beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST, to accommodate working professionals who want to continue their education.

Students will have two required in-person residencies prior to fall semester, occurring on the campus of Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina. Residencies are required and will contain content related to fall courses, skills practice, and orientation (for first-year students). Otherwise, all coursework can be completed remotely.

New students can begin the program in the Fall of each year.

The Clinical Coordinator for the program will work with students to ensure placement at clinical sites that meet the standards of the program and the needs of the individual student. Students will be assisted in finding placements within their communities

A practicum experience of 100 hours with a minimum of 40 hours of direct client services and an internship of 600 hours with a minimum of 240 hours of direct client service are required as part of the 60 course credits in the final year of the program. Practicum students will on average work 12-14 hours per week, and internship students will work on average 20 hours per week.