Department of Psychology

Welcome to the Psychology Department at The Citadel!

The Department of Psychology is composed of dynamic, enthusiastic faculty with high standards in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition to undergraduate major and minor programs of study, the Psychology Department at The Citadel offers two graduate level programs: a 75-hour Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program in School Psychology, and a 57-hour Master’s (M.A.) degree program in Clinical Counseling. 

The School Psychology program has full approval from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) accredited the Clinical Counseling program.

Undergraduate Program – Mission

The Citadel’s undergraduate programs in Psychology are grounded in liberal arts and sciences. The major in Psychology is designed around a broad liberal education. This involves learning in the humanities and sciences integrated through an emphasis on the study of human behavior. Students in psychology develop an approach to learning that combines an empirical, objective methodology built upon observational and statistical strategies, with skills in discerning patterns across data. All of which in turn foster conceptual and theoretical analysis. Graduates of this program have the knowledge base and skills in data analysis that support graduate study. They are prepared for employment in positions that require understanding and motivating others.

With this mission in mind, the Psychology Department recognizes that its greatest asset is its students.  The Department insures students have the highest level of instruction. In addition, that they are learning material expected of a college graduate majoring in psychology.

Ed.S. in School Psychology – Mission

The School Psychology program embraces a training model based upon the application of the principles of scientific methodology to the school setting. For example, a school psychologist is a data-based problem-solver who is able to bring his/her knowledge (psychological and educational) and skills (diagnostic and prescriptive) to bear on school-related problems. They will generate viable and testable hypotheses about the problem that can be evaluated in light of continued data-gathering. Within this model, the program emphasizes the application of theory and research to practical and applied problems and settings within the ecology of schools.

Program expectations include students being trained to meet guidelines and fulfill the program’s mission. The mission is to develop competent, professional problem-solvers who are compassionate and caring in their service. Graduates will meet NASP guidelines for training and be eligible for certification as Level II school psychologists in the State of South Carolina and for National Certification.

M.A. in Clinical Counseling – Mission

The mission of the Clinical Counseling program is to prepare students to become scholarly practitioners of psychosocial counseling in community agencies. This includes college counseling centers, hospitals, mental health centers, social services agencies, and private practice. The program emphasizes the application of theories of human development, psychopathology, and behavior change to psychosocial problems of a diverse population of individuals and families seeking mental health services in the community. The program’s model blends didactic and experiential training. This is to facilitate students’ ability to utilize an empirical approach to assessment, goal development, intervention and evaluation of services for individuals and families experiencing a variety of psychosocial difficulties. Students will be trained to be competent and ethical professional service providers who will bring compassion and caring to their work.

Currently enrolled Citadel undergraduate students may apply for early admission into the MA in Psychology: Clinical Counseling Program. All regular admission qualifications must be met for the application to be reviewed. Any applicant not granted with an early admission will automatically be included in the regular admission cycle.