Contact

Viki Kelchner

Clinical Counseling Program Director, Associate Professor
Health Science Building
P843-863-7064
Evkelchner@csuniv.edu

Admissions Questions

The Clinical Counseling program admits students on a rolling basis. While we do not have a hard 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. 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:

  • Background Check & Urine Drug Screen: $300
  • Laptop purchase: ~$1,500
  • Memberships: $200
  • Professional Development: $1,500

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

Accreditation and Licensure Questions

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

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Program’s CACREP application is in the process of being reviewed, it’s important for potential students to note there are some states that currently require CACREP degrees for state licensure. Applicants must consider the states in which they want to obtain a counseling license and investigate state licensing boards for updates in this area of requirements.

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

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Program’s CACREP application is in the process of being reviewed, it’s important for potential students to note there are some states that currently require CACREP degrees for state licensure. Applicants must consider the states in which they want to obtain a counseling license and investigate state licensing boards for updates in this area of requirements.

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.

Curriculum Questions

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.

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

Online classes are synchronous and meet on Tuesdays from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Yes – Students electing the online option for degree completion can take all of their classes online. Students who elect the online option for continuing their education will NOT be required to come to campus at any time during the program, making this a unique non-traditional option for prospective students.

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

One of the program’s faculty members serves as the Clinical Coordinator for all internship and practicum experiences. 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.

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.