Mental Health Counseling Degree in South Carolina - Best Programs for 2024

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What is a Mental Health Counselor?

South Carolina is home to many colleges and universities that offer higher education degree programs in mental health counseling and other related subjects. Exploring this area of study can unlock a wide variety of meaningful career paths, particularly for those interested in learning how to address emotional and behavioral disorders. This major is especially ideal for individuals passionate about helping others.

The educational services, healthcare, and social assistance industry is the fourth largest in South Carolina. It accounts for $17.1 billion in revenue each year. This indicates relatively good employment availability for professionals in this field.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is expected to increase by 18% from 2022 to 2032. This is much faster than the average for all occupations and will result in an additional 42,000 job openings throughout the nation each year. As of May 2022, South Carolina employed 4,100 of these professionals with an annual mean wage of $46,760. Notably, this is lower than the state’s reported annual mean wage of $50,940 for all occupations.

Graduates may also qualify for work in many community and social service professions. Employment for specialists in these jobs is also projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations in the United States from 2022 to 2032. As of May 2022, South Carolina employed 27,050 workers in this field, with an annual mean wage of $47,090.

Several South Carolina colleges and universities offer mental health counseling degree programs, as well as degrees in other related subjects. Online programs from in and out-of-state institutions are also available, although it’s important to note that educational standards can vary by location. This is particularly relevant for those pursuing licensure. Therefore, aspiring mental health counselors in South Carolina should prioritize in-state higher education options to ensure the most geographically relevant instruction. These degrees will also more closely align with employer expectations in the region, enhancing the prospects of meeting the specific requirements valued by hiring managers.

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Mental health counselors provide invaluable support to individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges. Employing various therapeutic techniques, they often assist in developing coping mechanisms and strategies for improved mental well-being. These dedicated professionals offer an array of counseling services to help clients manage and overcome a wide variety of issues.

While capable of addressing numerous emotional and behavioral conditions, they frequently treat:

A key aspect of mental health counseling is conducting assessments to evaluate client mental health. After gaining an understanding the associated concerns, they then formulate personalized treatment plans. Additionally, many of these professionals work with clients to identify and adopt various coping strategies, as well as setting achievable goals. They also play a vital role in crisis intervention, providing immediate support to individuals in distress.

Effective communication and active listening skills are crucial as mental health counselors build trusting relationships with clients, fostering an environment where individuals feel safe discussing their emotions and challenges. They may specialize in specific populations or therapeutic approaches, tailoring their methods to meet the unique needs of each client.

Advocates for mental health awareness, mental health counselors also contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Through ongoing professional development, they stay informed about evolving therapeutic techniques and treatment modalities. Ultimately, these professionals play a pivotal role in enhancing the overall well-being of individuals by contributing to the broader field of mental health care.

These professionals often work in diverse settings including mental health centers, hospitals, and private practices. They facilitate group therapy sessions and may collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care.

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Mental Health Counseling Education in South Carolina

The South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists governs the educational prerequisites for mental health counselors, or licensed professional counselors (LPCs) in South Carolina. Although counseling degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels may be offered, only individuals who complete master's and/or doctorate programs will qualify to seek licensure in the state. It’s important to realize, however, that undergraduate programs of this type can open doors to many other community and social service roles within South Carolina.

Associate Degree in Mental Health Counseling (AS)

There are relatively few associate degree programs that focus solely on mental health counseling. This is largely due to the fact that most states demand significantly more higher education than this to qualify for licensure. As a result, those aspiring to become licensed counselors will likely need to opt for studying related subjects that will enable them to gain essential knowledge and skills relevant to the field as a whole. Applicable majors include counseling, mental health, human services, behavioral science, social science, and psychology.

Generally speaking, most associate degrees consist of 60 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately two years to complete. Undergraduate programs of this kind differ, however, commonly blending general liberal arts education with specialized courses in the chosen major. This approach allows students to delve into important communication, mathematics, and social science topics, alongside subject matter pertinent to their field. It not only fosters a comprehensive educational foundation useful for further study but prepares those enrolled for entry-level professional employment.

Notably, this type of degree does not meet the minimum education requirements to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in South Carolina. The South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists only awards licensure to candidates who have completed master-level programs. Associate degrees can, however, lead to a variety of entry-level community and social service occupations. Graduates are also well-prepared to enroll in related bachelor’s degree programs.

Bachelor's Degree in Mental Health Counseling (BS)

Again, there are relatively few degree programs at this level that focus solely on mental health counseling. As a result, those aspiring to become licensed counselors typically opt to study related subjects that will enable them to gain essential knowledge and skills relevant to the field. Suitable majors include counseling, mental health, human services, behavioral science, social science, and psychology. In certain instances, however, it may be possible to choose mental health counseling as a concentration.

Degrees of this kind generally consist of 120 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately four years to complete. Undergraduate programs differ, commonly blending general liberal arts education with specialized courses in the chosen major. This approach allows students to delve into important communication, mathematics, and social science topics alongside subject matter pertinent to their field. This not only fosters a comprehensive educational foundation useful for further study, but prepares those enrolled for entry-level professional employment. Those studying counseling-related subjects are likely to receive instruction on behavioral health and counseling theories.

Again, this type of degree does not meet the minimum education requirements to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in South Carolina. The South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists only awards licensure to candidates who have completed master-level programs. Bachelor’s degrees can, however, lead to a variety of entry-level jobs in community and social service. This type of education is also necessary for individuals preparing to enroll in mental health counseling degrees at the master’s level. Notably, graduate degree applicants usually need to meet specified minimum grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score criteria.

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Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling (MS)

Master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling generally range from 30 to 45 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately two to three years to complete. Graduate-level programs no longer feature general liberal arts classes. However, prospective students are often required to successfully complete specific undergraduate courses, or prerequisites, before gaining admission. This ensures that all incoming students possess the foundational knowledge and skills essential for advanced study in the field.

Graduate degree programs play a crucial role in preparing students for state licensure. Although course requirements may vary, participants often receive comprehensive training in areas such as lifespan development, attachment theory, group dynamics, interviewing techniques, counseling theories, diagnostic practices, and ethics. Additionally, programs commonly include supervised counseling experiences, offering students a chance to acquire practical, hands-on experience in the field. Students admitted to these programs may also find positions in graduate assistantships.

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This type of degree does meet the minimum education requirements to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in South Carolina. The South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists will award licensure to candidates who have completed master-level programs, successfully passed either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), and fulfilled all clinical supervision requirements.

Students at this level can choose a concentration that can focus their education on school counseling, counselor education, clinical mental health counseling, clinical counseling, addictions counseling, family counseling or family therapy, group counseling, secondary school counseling, mental health assessment, rehabilitation counseling, and more. Core courses and elective courses for these specializations will train you for effective practice no matter your focus.

A graduate with a master's degree from a counselor education program may find work as a clinical coordinator working with diverse populations, as secondary school counselors, as faculty members in lower-level education programs, as an assistant professor, or in other roles.

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PhD Degree in Mental Health Counseling (PhD)

A PhD or doctorate in mental health counseling may consist of between 60 and 120 credit hours that can take full-time students up to seven years to complete. These programs generally require about six years to complete but will more than meet the minimum education requirements to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in South Carolina.

As terminal degrees, these programs establish demanding academic benchmarks. The curriculum specifics may vary among institutions, but enrolled students generally delve into advanced concepts in specialized counseling areas, as well as covering topics is research and teaching. Topics often include strategic analysis research, research design, quantitative research, and qualitative research.

The initial phase of enrollment typically involves traditional classroom instruction, while later years emphasize independent study and research. In most cases, students can expect their doctoral degree programs to culminate in the creation, presentation, and defense of dissertations.

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Become a Mental Health Counselor in South Carolina

Mental health counselors must be licensed to practice in the state(s) where they work. This is a national standard, although specific credentialing standards do vary. In South Carolina, the licensure process is overseen by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists.

This board is responsible for maintaining quality counseling services in the state by ensuring all professionals are competent and have met the necessary minimum qualifications to serve the people of South Carolina.

The first step to becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in South Carolina is meeting the established education requirements for licensure. The easiest course of action for applicants is to graduate from a clinical mental health counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Alternatively, candidates may submit evidence of successful completion of a master’s degree, specialist’s degree, or doctoral degree with a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours primarily in counseling from a program accredited by a national educational accrediting body that follows substantially similar education standards to CACREP. In these cases, it is necessary to complete and submit the Coursework Description and Verification Form, the Practicum and Internship Review Form, and official transcripts from all graduate institution for assessment.

Additionally, all LPC candidates must take and pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Both tests are overseen and administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The Board provides specific instruction for how to apply for these licensure exams after applications and their accompanying educational experience information have been approved.

The NCE is designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities determined to be important for providing effective counseling services.

It consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering information from the following six domains:

Professional Practice and Ethics
Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
Areas of Clinical Focus
Treating Planning
Counseling Skills and Interventions
Core Counseling Attributes

The NCHMCE assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities determined to be important for providing effective counseling services. It does this by assessing test-taskers’ ability to apply important tenets through response to clinical case studies. The case studies are designed to capture the ability to identify, analyze, diagnose, and develop plans for treatment of clinical concerns. The exam utilized the same six domains mentioned above.

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After completing the necessary education and examination requirements, candidates may gain the title of professional counselor associate. These individuals can practice in the state, but only under supervision with an approved clinical supervision plan. To obtain LPC status, however, documentation of completion of a minimum of 1,500 hours of post-master’s clinical experience and post master’s clinical supervision must be submitted to the board. This experience must be in the practice of professional counseling performed over a period of no fewer than two years. At least 1,380 of these hours must be documented as direct client contact and 120 hours must be documented supervision. Additionally, a minimum of 60 hours of supervision hours must be individual / triadic. Supervision must be provided by a licensed professional counselor supervisor (LPCS) or other licensed mental health practitioners approved by the board.

Once candidates have completed the requirements of clinical supervision, they can submit the corresponding application, fee, and required documentation to become LPCs. In order to maintain licensure, they will need to complete 40 hours of Continuing Education (CE) during the biannual renewal period. At least 34 hours must be CE related to their respective professional license and six hours must be specific to ethical standards.

Careers for Mental Health Counseling Graduates

Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychologists focus on diagnosing and treating various mental health disorders through evidence-based therapeutic interventions. They assess the emotional well-being of patients, conduct psychological evaluations, and develop personalized treatment plans. Their work often requires collaboration with healthcare professionals in order to provide more comprehensive mental health care. By employing various therapeutic techniques, these professionals are able to help individuals cope with challenges, manage mental health issues, and work toward achieving optimal psychological functioning. This role typically contributes to the overall well-being of patients, fostering improved mental health outcomes. According to PayScale, clinical psychologists make an average base salary of $83,574 per year.
Direct Support Professional
Direct support professionals offer crucial assistance to individuals with disabilities, aiding in daily activities and promoting independence. They provide personal care, support community integration, and facilitate skill development, as well as playing a pivotal role in enhancing overall quality of life while fostering a positive and inclusive environment. Their dedication contributes to the well-being and autonomy of individuals, creating meaningful connections and promoting a fulfilling life for those they serve. According to PayScale, direct support professionals make an average base salary of $34,884 per year.
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles to legal and criminal contexts, often by assessing and analyzing individuals involved in legal cases. They spend most of their time conducting mental health evaluations, behavior assessments, and considering other potential factors that might contribute to criminal conduct. Collaborating with law enforcement and legal professionals, these professionals are able to provide expert insights, courtroom testimony, and psychological profiles. Their role is often integral to criminal investigations, court proceedings, and correctional systems, contributing to the intersection of psychology and the legal field. According to PayScale, forensic psychologists make an average base salary of $73,180 per year.
Mental Health Technician
Mental health technicians play a crucial role in assisting mental health professionals in patient care. They provide support to individuals with mental health conditions by monitoring their well-being, implementing treatment plans, and assisting with daily activities. These professionals also collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment. Additional responsibilities include observing and reporting patient behavior, facilitating therapeutic activities, and offering emotional support. This role contributes to the overall care and rehabilitation of individuals dealing with mental health challenges. According to PayScale, mental health technicians make an average base salary of $34,643 per year.
Organizational Psychologist
Organizational psychologists apply psychological principles to enhance workplace dynamics and employee well-being. They analyze organizational structures, worker behavior, and company culture to optimize efficiency and job satisfaction. Through assessments and interventions, these professionals are able to address issues like communication, leadership, and employee morale, contributing to a healthier and more productive work environment. Another common responsibility is conducting research to develop strategies that align with business goals, further fostering positive relationships between employees and the organizations they serve. According to PayScale, organizational psychologists make an average base salary of $88,989 per year.
Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors support individuals with disabilities as they achieve personal and vocational goals, enhancing overall independence and quality of life. These professionals spend most of their time assessing client strengths and limitations before providing counseling and guidance to facilitate skill development and overcome barriers. They also collaborate with healthcare professionals, employers, and community resources to create personalized rehabilitation plans. By fostering self-advocacy, they can contribute to the successful integration of individuals with disabilities into the workforce and society. According to PayScale, rehabilitation counselors make an average base salary of $48,477 per year.
Sports Psychologist
Sports psychologists apply psychological principles to enhance the performance, mental well-being, and overall success of athletes, coaches, and referees across various sports. They collaborate with sports professionals to address psychological challenges such as stress, anxiety, and motivation, with the aims of optimizing mental resilience, fostering a positive mindset, and establishing emotional health within the competitive athletic environment. By utilizing counseling techniques, goal setting, and mental skills training, these professionals can contribute to psychological readiness and performance improvement. According to PayScale, sports psychologists make an average base salary of $76,927 per year.