May 20, 2024  
2023-2024 CGC Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 CGC Graduate Catalog

Psychology: Clinical Counseling, M.A.


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843-953-5320 http://www.citadel.edu/root/psychology

Dr. Genelle Sawyer: genelle.sawyer@citadel.edu

Mission Statement

The mission of the Clinical Counseling MA program is to prepare students to become ethical, multiculturally-competent, evidence-informed practitioners of psychological counseling in a variety of mental health settings. The Program’s training model emphasizes the application of theories of human development, psychopathology, multiculturalism and cognitive behavior change to psychosocial problems and advocates a scholarly perspective that integrates evidence-based and professional competencies with a compassionate, culturally sensitive and ethical orientation to clinical work. Through a blend of didactic and practice-based experiences, students will acquire an empirical and culturally competent approach to assessment, conceptualization, intervention, and evaluation of psychological services. The objectives of the program are designed to enable the student to:

  1. Understand principles of psychology and their application to real world clinical situations and settings.
  2. Recognize and appreciate the importance of a multicultural perspective.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of professional and ethical principles as they apply to competent professional practice.
  4. Understand evidence-based practice and function as scholarly practitioners when approaching assessment, conceptualization and intervention.
  5. Acquire assessment and intervention skills to be used with a diverse range of clients and problems.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Clinical Counseling Program is based on a competitive review of all application materials.

  1. Completion of the online graduate application along with the non-refundable application fee
  2. Submission of an official transcript of the baccalaureate degree directly from each accredited college or university and transcripts from all postgraduate institutions attended. Applicants are expected to have a grade point average of 3.0 (or graduate grade point average of 3.0) and 9 credit hours in psychology (with a minimum of a C grade). A score of 600 on the GRE Subject Examination in Psychology is acceptable in lieu of the credit hour requirement.
  3. Submission of a completed Admissions Questionnaire
  4. Submission of two letters of recommendation

Students requesting a transfer from another Master’s program must provide documentation of a GRE or MAT score (copies are acceptable) in order to complete requirements for application to the program.

Application Deadlines

The Admissions Committee will consider complete applications for the program on the following dates:

Admission Term: Materials Due:
Summer/Fall February 15
Spring October 1

Program Requirements


The Master of Arts in Psychology: Clinical Counseling curriculum provides instruction in the theory and practice of counseling from a psychological perspective. The curriculum consists of a total of 60 credit hours, including 30 credit hours of core courses, a three credit hour course in addictions, a three credit hour course in career counseling, 10 hours of advanced courses, five hours of electives, and nine hours of fieldwork. Fieldwork is completed in agencies throughout the tri-county area and involves a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship. Students who successfully complete this program meet the educational requirements for professional licensure as a Professional Counselor in South Carolina and may meet the requirements for a Licensed Addictions Counselor in South Carolina. While some graduates have sought and gained admission to doctoral programs, the program is designed as a terminal master’s degree program. The program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). Students must abide by the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association throughout their enrollment.

The MA degree will be conferred on students who have successfully completed the requirements of the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. All students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination after completing their ten core courses (see below) and must complete a written and oral presentation of a case study for a panel of faculty members as part of the internship requirement in order to complete the program. Students must complete all course requirements within a 5-year period from the date of initial enrollment. No more than 8 hours of graduate credit taken as a non-degree seeking student will be applied toward program requirements.

Graduate Requirement (Non-Credit Bearing)


Required Program for Clinical Counseling Students


Other Requirements (6 Hours)


Advanced Courses (19 Hours)


Students completing the Clinical Counseling curriculum must successfully complete a comprehensive examination to be permitted to take the following Advanced Courses:

Total Credit Hours: 60


Field Placement Requirements


Clinical Counseling students complete one 100-hour practicum and one 600-hour internship providing clinical services in a community agency. Field placement opportunities are available in many agencies within the tri-county area. Field placement sites may require a background check prior to beginning training.

Students who have completed graduate work elsewhere but who desire admission to one of the Clinical Counseling practicum/internships for licensure or professional development reasons must receive formal approval by the Clinical Counseling Committee. Additionally, such students will be required to take the following four courses at The Citadel prior to admission to practicum:

The Citadel has adopted this policy because of its ethical responsibilities to practicum agencies, the clients of the agencies, and to the students. Without this background of experience with students, The Citadel is not in a viable position to attest to the student’s readiness for the practicum/internship placement.

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