Home Doctorate in Psychology Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. Degree Programs in South Carolina

Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. Degree Programs in South Carolina

Find Doctoral Degree Programs in South Carolina

Advanced knowledge and training in psychology can make you indispensable in a variety of roles, from clinical patient care and management to training of new psychology professionals. To reach a full and independent scope of practice in the field of psychology, you must earn a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in psychology in South Carolina.

This degree offers years of education, thousands of hours of hands-on training, and experience with research in different specialties and settings. Since psychology is such a broad field, there are doctoral training options in specialized areas of psychology. For example, you may choose to focus your coursework and training in neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, clinical psychology, or school psychology.

If you have a Bachelor’s degree and a strong passion for psychology, this may be the next step in your education. Keep reading to learn more about what it takes to earn a doctorate in psychology and contact psychology Ph.D. programs in South Carolina to get more information.

Getting Your Doctorate Degree in Psychology in South Carolina

There are quite a few doctoral psychology programs in South Carolina, which means that you may have several options when you are ready to take your education to the next level.

First, it’s important to think about the research part of earning a Ph.D.. Before you can earn your degree and finish your education, you must write and defend a dissertation. As part of this process, you work with an advisor from your school’s faculty. It’s important to find a faculty advisor whose research goals are similar to yours. This should be a priority as you consider different schools. In addition, compare the admissions requirements of different programs. At minimum, you need a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additional coursework in psychology or relevant experience can be very helpful.

From there, you can start to consider different Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs. In general, Ph.D. at programs are more widely available in South Carolina. In a Ph.D. degree programs, you learn how to conduct research and learn how to work effectively as a clinician.

South Carolina Students Studying Together Online For Doctorate Psychology Degree

Some of the courses you may take include:

  • Methods in the Analysis of Behavioral Data
  • Basics of Learning and Motivation
  • Survey of Social Psychology
  • Research Approaches to Human Behavior
  • Research in Clinical and Community Psychology
  • Psychological Interventions
  • Foundations of Community Psychology
  • Psychological Assessment

The Psy.D. is a relatively new degree, so it may be offered at fewer schools. This degree prioritizes the role of the clinician, giving more limited space to research and teaching.

If you pursue a Psy.D., you may enroll in courses like:

  • Behavior and Cognitive Change
  • Counseling and Personality Theories
  • Counseling Techniques
  • Cultural Issues in Psychological Practice
  • Foundations of Psychometrics
  • Advanced Counseling Techniques
  • Educational Interventions
  • Special Techniques in Assessment
  • Systems Theory and Consultation

Working With Your Doctoral Degree in Psychology in South Carolina

Once your Ph.D. or Psy.D. is complete, you must go through the process of becoming a licensed psychologist in the state of South Carolina. You do this under the oversight of the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology. The first step is submitting an application, a curriculum vitae, and a $500 application fee. You must also provide documentation of all of your supervised work experience. After passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, you are on your way to a psychology license.

The need for psychology professionals is growing in South Carolina. Through the year 2022, O*Net anticipates an 11% jump in psychologist job openings (2016). During this time, job openings for psychology professors may swell 17% (O*Net, 2016). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a psychologist is $58,720 per year (2016). Psychology professors claim an average income of $73,810 per year (BLS, 2016).

Whether your interests include clinical, research, or teaching work, you can start preparing for the next stage of your career now. Get in touch with doctorate in psychology South Carolina programs to find out more.