Applied Clinical Psychology

With a Master's Degree in Applied Clinical Psychology from USCA, you can unlock the door to transformative healing and personal growth.

The M.S. program in Applied Clinical Psychology at the University of South Carolina Aiken equips students with the knowledge, self-awareness, and skills to excel as ethical scientist-practitioners, blending evidence-based and multicultural approaches in their work.

Whether pursuing licensure as a professional counselor or furthering their education in a doctoral program, this program prepares students for their career goals while fostering personal growth and community leadership.

The term licensed professional counselor is used in SC and many states and is dictated by state law. Licensing requirements vary across states; thus, applicants are encouraged to discuss this with the program director if they are interested in becoming licensed outside of SC.

Mission and Objectives

USCA’s M.S. program in Applied Clinical Psychology provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, self-awareness, and skills needed to become highly competent and ethical scientist-practitioners trained to integrate evidence-based and multicultural practices into their professional work. Critical thinking and analytic skills are fostered throughout the program, including by the completion of an independent research project. The program prepares students for independent practice as licensed professional counselors* or continued graduate study. The program strives to support students’ personal growth and encourages them to extend the use of their skills as engaged members and leaders in their communities.   

* The term licensed professional counselor is used in SC and many states and is dictated by state law. Licensing requirements vary across states; thus, applicants are encouraged to discuss this with the program director if they are interested in becoming licensed outside of SC.  

The program is designed to fulfill this mission through a set of seven objectives that students must achieve before completion of the program. Prior to graduation, students will demonstrate competence in the following: 

1. understanding and application of ethical principles in clinical and other professional settings 
2. application of multicultural awareness when working with individuals, groups, and communities with diverse backgrounds and characteristics 
3. the ability to maintain effective relationships with clients, colleagues and supervisors
4. development of biopsychosocial case conceptualizations and creation and implementation of treatment plans and intervention strategies to alleviate suffering and promote health and well-being
5. assessment, including administration, scoring, interpretation, and communication of results
6. the ability to collaboratively conduct research
7. effective use of research to inform clinical practice. 

The M.S. in Applied Clinical Psychology program at the University of South Carolina Aiken is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of September 2014 through September 2025.

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Course Highlights

As a graduate student of USCA's Master of Science in Applied Clinical Psychology, you'll take courses such as:

• Ethical & Professional Issues
• Psychotherapy Multicultural & Diverse Society
• Learning, Cognition & Behavior
• Neuroscience
• Group Therapy & Counseling
• Assessment & Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

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