How To Become a Psychologist in South Carolina 2025

Are you interested in treating individuals with mental health conditions and helping others manage their daily lives in South Carolina? Now's the time to learn how to become a psychologist.

People who pursue this rewarding career make a significant difference in the lives of their clients and the field of psychology. If this is the right role for you, keep reading. We'll outline how to become a psychologist in the state.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

A psychologist studies the brain and works with clients to manage everyday issues and more serious mental health challenges. Here are some other duties:

• diagnose and treat emotional disorders
• provide performance and aptitude tests
• offer resources to help clients manage or prevent problems
• design plans to help clients modify behavior
• conduct tests to understand and predict behavior

Depending on their specialty, these experts also have other duties. For instance, neuropsychologists use their understanding of neuroscience to study the ways damage or dysfunction to the brain or spine can impact cognition and behavior.

7 Steps To Become a Psychologist in South Carolina

Students who want to become psychologists in the state of South Carolina must earn a psychologist license. Read on to discover licensing requirements in the state.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

One of the first educational requirements to become a psychologist is to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology. Coursework in these programs covers fundamental concepts and often allows students to focus on a specialization such as forensic or school psychology.

At this academic level, finding accredited psychology programs online is common. You might even locate accelerated psychology degree online that help learners finish their studies in a fraction of the time.

Step 2: Complete a Doctoral Program

Students in South Carolina must earn a doctoral degree in psychology to meet licensure requirements for most roles. Options include the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for academic and research careers and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) for clinical roles. The state prefers programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Do you wonder how long it takes to get a psychology degree at the doctoral level? Four to six years is common for these programs.

Step 3: Start the Preliminary Application Process

Before students apply for a psychology license in South Carolina, they must complete the preliminary application (the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board's Credentialing Requirements Data Form). This form, submitted to the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology, should include the following:

• Affidavit of Eligibility
• responses to questions, if needed
• curriculum vitae
• application fee of $500

Students should also request that terminal transcript(s) of all graduate degree coursework be sent by the school they attended.

Step 4: Pass the EPPP Exam

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a national exam created by the ASPPB. The Board requires students seeking licensure to earn a passing score of 500. When the exam is taken in South Carolina, scores are automatically reported to the Board.

Step 5: Get Supervised Experience

To start a psychology career in South Carolina, learners must gain two years of supervised experience (one year must be post-doctoral experience) for a minimum of 3,000 total hours. Each year must consist of at least 1,500 hours of actual work, including direct service, training, and supervisory time. Students can use a predoctoral internship or residency as one of the two years of experience.

Step 6: Complete the Formal Application and Pass the Oral Exam

After receiving Board approval of the preliminary application, students will be mailed materials to submit a formal application for licensure. Applicants should send the following:

• blue application for license form
• predoctoral supervision form
• supervision contract
• supervisor's report form and three professional reference forms
• evidence of a passing score on EPPP

Once all application materials are submitted to the Board, the applicant must pass an oral examination administered by Board members. To obtain a license, candidates also need a state and national fingerprint criminal background check.

Step 7: Meet Continuing Education Requirements

After obtaining a license in most states, psychologists must meet continuing education (CE) credits to maintain it. In South Carolina, each licensed psychologist must earn no fewer than 24 approved CE credits. These credits must be obtained during each two-year licensure period.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

The fastest way to become a psychologist in South Carolina starts with picking the right degree level. For some students, completing a master's program works. Most, however, need a doctoral degree. After choosing a degree level, students can consider majors such as:

• Clinical psychology: Students explore coursework covering assessment and therapy techniques and engage in clinical training (e.g., practicum, internship, etc.).
• Counseling psychology: Programs focus on mental well-being and explore counseling theories, assessment, and research.
• Rehabilitation psychology: Enrollees learn techniques to help clients with chronic health conditions improve their quality of life.
• School psychology: In South Carolina, a master's degree is sufficient to become a School Psychologist I. Programs teach students the skills to support learners socially, emotionally, and academically in school settings.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

If you're looking for the best PsyD programs, you'll find a great option in South Carolina. The state is also home to top master's and PhD programs in psychology. Keep reading to learn more.

1. The Citadel Military College of South Carolina

The Citadel in Charleston offers a Master of Arts (MA) in psychology, clinical counseling degree for students seeking roles as professional counselors in mental health settings. This graduate program provides core and advanced coursework in behavior change and treatment planning. Field experiences are included.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,820 per year (in-state); $12,660 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Francis Marion University

Francis Marion University's PsyD program combines didactic and applied courses with evidence-based practice to teach learners the skills to promote positive health outcomes among rural populations. Enrollees are prepared to work as health psychologists in schools, hospitals, and clinics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,764 per year (in-state); $19,528 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Clemson University

Clemson University is home to a PhD in health psychology that helps students understand physical and mental health and illness via the biopsychosocial model. This program trains scholars and research scientists for academic and research positions in health industries.

• Estimated tuition cost: $10,694 per year (in-state); $22,548 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of South Carolina

The online Master of Education (MEd) in educational psychology and research at the University of South Carolina is one of the state's most affordable online psychology degree programs at the graduate level. Students learn to produce key research as they prepare for roles as educators and data analysts.

• Estimated tuition cost: $572.25 per credit (in-state); $572.25 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Winthrop University

The school psychology program at Winthrop University is a full-time, three-year program that leads to a Master of Science (MS) degree and a Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree. The program includes foundational and advanced courses and a 1,200-hour internship to prepare students for School Psychologist II certification.

• Estimated tuition cost: $426 per credit full-time with certification (in-state); $909 per credit full-time + $693 per credit for certification (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Skills of a Psychologist

Psychologists design research to advance the field and work closely with clients to help them navigate life's challenges. Experts in this role need strong analytical and interpersonal skills. Additional skills include:

• compassion
• patience
• problem-solving
• communication
• observation

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

Students interested in becoming psychologists can choose from several career paths. The following are popular roles alongside their projected job growth through 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• clinical and counseling psychologists: 13%
• general psychologist: 7%
• industrial-organizational psychologists: 6%
• school psychologists: 1%

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in South Carolina?

The salaries psychologists and experts in related fields earn in South Carolina vary by role. Below is a list of annual mean wages, based on BLS data:

• marriage and family therapists: $51,940
• healthcare social workers: $66,000
• school psychologists: $75,110
• all other psychologists: $127,190

Explore Psychology Degrees

Begin your journey toward an exciting psychology career by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools today to discover how they can help you reach your goals.