What will I study?

The Clinical Mental Health track of the Counselor Education, Ed.S. degree consists of 66 credit hours. The program’s course work will provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct individual and group counseling, implement various clinical treatment modalities, and prepare students to utilize evidence-based practices.

 

What kinds of work will I be able to do?

Successful completion of this degree program fulfills licensure requirements as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of South Carolina, and gives you the potential to transfer your licensure to other states, depending on their licensure requirements. Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health track work in a wide range of professional positions such as community mental health provider, private practitioner, college-based counselor, and school-based mental health provider.

 

Admissions Process

The Ed.S. in Counselor Education accepts applications for admission once a year for the summer term with an application deadline of January 15. Program faculty members review complete applications and applicants who pass the initial screening are invited to a group interview. Group interviews take place by mid-March.

 

Typical Coursework

You will complete coursework in the following areas:

Core Courses (33 semester hours)
Your core courses are designed to help you to build a foundation of understanding in areas important to all counseling professionals. These courses provide an overview and introduction to the counseling profession, basic counseling theories, counseling skills, assessment, group, professional and legal issues, multicultural, and career development.

Psychopathology & Diagnosis
The core includes 6 credits in Psychopathy and Diagnosis. In these two diagnostic courses, you will review disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as you gain the skills necessary to make and justify a diagnosis, and write treatment plans based on your diagnoses.

Specialization (6 semester hours)
In these courses, you will learn about the factors that separate clinical mental health counseling from other forms of counseling, including reviewing general issues specific to clinical mental health. Additionally, you will complete a course on addictions as part of an overview of specific treatment approaches for substance use disorders.

Clinical Preparation (3 semester hours)
This advanced techniques course provides in-depth training in the specific skills required for clinical mental health counseling.

Human Growth & Development (3 semester hours)
In your Human Growth and Development coursework, you will learn to identify the different stages of the human experience as well as the characteristic challenges individuals face throughout their lives. This knowledge will help you to make your clients more comfortable with you as they address their challenges with you.

Research (3 semester hours)
As part of the program, you will gain a foundation in basic research terms and practices.

Clinical Courses (9 semester hours)
During the final year of study, you will complete one semester of practicum and one semester of field-based internship.  You will have the opportunity to provide counseling to real clients in the community while receiving support from your faculty and the staff of the locations you are placed in.

Elective Courses in Counselor Education (9 semester hours)
You can take three electives. Your advisor will help you figure out what courses are appropriate based on your personal interests and experience.