Psychology Programs in South Carolina

There are several educational pathways to becoming a successful psychologist in South Carolina. Clinical psychologists typically pursue a doctorate, but it is possible to start supplementary positions by earning an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Some even take on professional duties in limited specialty areas with a Master’s degree. Regardless of the specific award they have in mind, aspiring psychologists in South Carolina must choose a high-quality training program to begin their careers.

This will make it easier to pursue advanced degrees, facilitate career growth, and make candidates more appealing to potential employees while helping them get closer to fulfilling the requirements for a full license.

We will explore the topic of licensure for psychologists in South Carolina further below. Still, first, we highlight some of the best psychology training programs in the state and the schools where you can find them.

Top Psychology Schools in South Carolina

The entries below are some of the best psychology schools in South Carolina.

Licensure & Certification

Residents of South Carolina who would like to work as full-time psychologists must earn a doctorate to start their careers. As we pointed out earlier, it is possible to work in supplementary positions with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Still, full licensure in fields other than school psychology requires nothing less than a doctorate from an accredited program.

School psychologists are under the jurisdiction of a different regulating agency.

The State Board of Examiners in Psychology regulates other fields, from counseling, clinical, and social psychology to experimental and I-O psychology, and allows accreditation from the American Psychological Association or the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

Candidates are also expected to receive 1,500 hours of pre-doctoral internship experience and 1,500 hours of post-doctoral experience. The last step is to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the state examinations.

Salary & Career Outlook

A survey of psychologists in South Carolina revealed that the annual average salary of $152,981 is the median figure, which is typically more suitable for early or mid-career psychologists. Those vastly experienced and already at the top of their field can earn significantly more, reaching the top 10% of earners with an average salary of $152,981 annually.

However, it is also worth pointing out that the starting salaries for psychologists in the state may be lower than the median number, with some psychologists falling below the average into the bottom 10%. Here, the annual average salary to expect is around $81,143.

To increase earnings, psychologists in South Carolina can focus on factors like credentials, specialization, and location. The city of Charleston, for example, offers opportunities for high salaries with an annual average salary of $172,868.

Those working in Greenville are also competitively rewarded, earning an average salary of $128,491 annually.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for psychologists in South Carolina is promising, driven by the increasing emphasis on mental health and the growing need for these services. The growth will also span all possible psychology disciplines, including clinical, counseling, and education psychology.

Companies across the state also recognize psychologists’ value in supporting employee well-being and productivity. This will lead to more demand for industrial-organizational psychologists.