Contact

Viki Kelchner

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

Admissions Office

Hunter Center
P843-863-7050
Eenroll@csuniv.edu

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Start a Meaningful Career with the Master's in Clinical Counseling Degree Program

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling program at Charleston Southern University is a terminal degree intended to prepare students for clinical practice as Licensed Professional Counselors. The program is designed to educate compassionate and highly motivated individuals who will excel in providing client-centered mental healthcare, practicing as agents of change, serving as leaders in their communities and advancing the mental health profession. Full details and curriculum can be found in the graduate catalog.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Counselors (National Board of Certified Counselors). Upon completion of this degree, passing the boards (NCE), and completing supervisory training, a student will be able to apply for licensure in the majority of states in which they wish to practice.

Timeframe:

Full-time: 33 months/8 semesters
Part-time: 48 months
New students can begin each fall.

Credit Hours:

Total = 60
(51 credit hours in core course work, and 9 credit hours in electives.)

*Generate your total tuition cost with the tuition calculator.

Fully Online Clinical Counseling Degree Option

CSU will continue a traditional in-person track for clinical counseling students, which offers quality interaction with professors, class discussion and skills training. We also offer an online synchronous cohort track, maintaining the same quality of counselor development but allowing students to participate from any state. 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.

Most courses are offered in the evenings to accommodate working professionals and their schedules. For the online track, live classes will require two afternoon/evenings per week.

Accreditation:

Charleston Southern University’s accreditation can be found here.

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Program submitted an application for accreditation to the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in 2024 and is currently being reviewed.

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Program meets South Carolina License requirements for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 60 credit hours of graduate level work and 700 hours of clinical experience.

Students are responsible for investigating the specific requirements of the state in which they are planning to practice following graduation. While the program’s CACREP application is in the process of being reviewed, it’s important for potential students to note there are a few 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.

For additional information on accreditation affiliations and disclosures at CSU, please visit:  https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/about/accreditation-disclosures/.

Your next step to
becoming a student
at Charleston
Southern

Application Requirements

  • Graduate Application
  • Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended 
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale*
  • Two online recommendations (be prepared to submit reference names and contact information on the online application)
  • Goals Statement
  • Interview

*Applicants with lower GPA may be considered based on other factors such as life experience.

Learn Clinical Counseling From a Biblical Perspective

The Clinical Counseling program at Charleston Southern University is unique in its integration of faith and counseling knowledge as it seeks to train future clinicians who are clinically competent and biblically sound counselors.

What is a Licensed Professional Counselor?

Students who obtain a Masters in Clinical Counseling degree are academically prepared to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs).  LPCs are mental health service providers who are trained to work with individuals, groups, couples, and families to treat a variety of mental, emotional, and behavioral problems.  LPCs can provide services in a variety of settings including:

  • Private practices
  • Hospitals
  • Churches
  • Schools, universities, and colleges
  • Mental health and social service agencies

Practicum & Internships

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. 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.

As a graduate of Charleston Southern University with a BS in psychology and sociology, I went into the workforce wishing I had the opportunity to continue my education at CSU and obtain a degree in counseling. Fast-forward 25 years, and here it is! I am so happy to be in the new program. The instruction, coursework, classmates, professors, and environment are exactly what I hoped for and expected from CSU. I truly believe the Christian environment makes this program superior to any in the state. As a working adult with kids, the schedule has even been a fit for my life. We are learning so much so fast and already practicing our counseling skills.

Kristi Willis ’93 and MS Clinical Counseling ’22

In the Clinical Counseling program, you’ll take courses like…

  • Psychopathology
  • Social and Cultural Foundations
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Counseling and Personality Theories
  • Introduction to Family Dynamics
  • Advanced Training in Addiction Treatment

Program Director

Viki Kelchner

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

Facilities

The faculty offices for the Department of Clinical Counseling are housed in the Health Science Building. In-person classes are held in a variety of locations on campus including the Health Science Building, Derry Patterson Wingo Hall, and the Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership.