Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Wisconsin

As one of the nation’s dairy production leaders, Wisconsin is culturally known as “America’s Dairyland” and is the 20th most populous state. The state boasts diverse landscapes from large metropolitan areas to lakes and prairies. While Wisconsin has beautiful landscapes, it is also home to a large number of people struggling with mental health concerns.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Wisconsin, 859,000 people in the state struggle with a mental health concern. The report also states that 2,185,992 Wisconsinites live in areas lacking adequate mental health resources. This number is significant and as a result, O*Net Online reports that by 2030 the need for mental health counselors will grow by 19%. This is slightly higher than the national average growth of 18%.

To help combat growing mental health concerns in schools, the Wisconsin government passed the “Get Kids Ahead” initiative that allocated over $30 million to public and charter schools to boost their mental health programming. This is a significant step in helping to bring mental health services to those in need around the state.

Those looking to become counselors in Wisconsin have many options for education in the state. They also have the option to connect with other counselors around the state by joining the Wisconsin Counseling Association.

A standout program in this article is at Marquette University. The program at Marquette meets the criteria of all three sections of this article and requires the least amount of time to complete.

Master of Counseling Programs in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, it is not required for master of counseling programs to be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). However, there are certain requirements that programs must meet to provide counseling education. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services states that all CACREP-Accredited programs are permitted for licensure in the state and has a list of other approved programs on its website.

Online Master of Counseling Programs in Wisconsin

There are many benefits to attending an online master of counseling program. Some benefits include the flexibility of courses, continued access to course materials, and the ability to take classes at your own pace.

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Wisconsin

Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many masters of counseling programs nationwide. Some of the benefits of attending a CACREP-accredited program include meeting the requirements for most states and becoming familiar with other programs that are accredited. There are six CACREP-Accredited Programs located in Wisconsin. Under the Online Programs category, the program at Marquette University is CACREP-Accredited.

Wisconsin Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

Specialty	University Name	Degree	City	State	Accreditation	Modality	GRE Required?	Program Length	URL
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Marquette University	M.S.	Milwaukee	WI	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required		Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Mount Mary University	M.S.	Milwaukee	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	University of Wisconsin - Madison	M.S.	Madison	WI	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
School Counseling	University of Wisconsin - River Falls	M.S.	River Falls	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
School Counseling	University of Wisconsin - Whitewater	M.S.	Whitewater	WI	CACREP				School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Wisconsin - Whitewater	M.S.	Whitewater	WI	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	M.S.	Oshkosh	WI	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	M.S.	Oshkosh	WI	CACREP				School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Viterbo University	M.S.	La Crosse	WI	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling	University of Wisconsin–Madison	M.S	Madison	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Wisconsin-Stout	M.S	Menomonie	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 Credits Hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counselor Education	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater	M.S.C	Whitewater	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required		Counselor Education
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Wisconsin-Parkside	M.S	Kenosha	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 Credits Hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Concordia University Wisconsin	M.S.Ed	Mequon	WI	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	45 to 60 credits	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	M.S	Milwaukee	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required		Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling	University of Wisconsin-Madison	M.S	Madison	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Counseling
Counseling	Marquette University	M.S	Milwaukee	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Counseling
Counseling	Lakeland University	M.A	Plymouth	WI	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	48-60 semester-hour.	Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Wisconsin-Superior	M.S	Superior	WI	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling (School Counseling)	University of Wisconsin	M.S	River Falls	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 Credits	Counseling (School Counseling)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Marquette University	M.S	Milwaukee	WI	CACREP	Online & Campus		21 months , 60 Credits	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Professional Counseling	University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	M.S.Ed.	Oshkosh	WI	CACREP	Campus		3 Years	Professional Counseling
School Counseling	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	M.S	Milwaukee	WI	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Counseling Psychology	University of Wisconsin-Platteville	M.S	Platteville	WI	CACREP	Campus			Counseling Psychology
Professional Counseling	Mount Mary University	M.S.	Milwaukee	WI	CACREP	Campus			Professional Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Mount Mary University	M.P.C	Milwaukee	WI	CACREP			60 credits	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Social Work with an Area of Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Emphasis	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay	M.S.W	Wisconsin	WI	CACREP	Campus			Master of Social Work with an Area of Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Emphasis

No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Wisconsin

The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used to determine the aptitude of potential college admittance. However, many people get anxious about standardized tests or do not want their college admission based on test scores. Fortunately for those who do not like standardized testing, none of the programs in this article require the GRE for admission. This means that none of the 12 counseling programs in Wisconsin require the GRE. Some give the option to take the test for applicants with a low undergraduate GPA, however, it is not required.

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in Wisconsin

When choosing a master of counseling program it is just as important to consider your budget as it is to consider academic quality. Thankfully, many options in Wisconsin are affordable.

Under the Online Programs category, the most affordable program is located at the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a price tag of $520 per credit hour.

The CACREP-Accredited Programs category has many affordable programs but the greatest bargain is at the University of Wisconsin – Stout. The price for this program is $448.37 per credit hour.

Under the No GRE Required Programs category, the most affordable program is at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. The price for this program is $494 per credit hour.

Overall, the most affordable master of counseling program in Wisconsin is at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in Wisconsin

Some people may extend their college experience and stay in graduate school for a few years, however, many people would like to finish grad school and get right to work. At Marquette University this is possible due to the program’s completion time being about 21 months. This program is online and CACREP-Accredited. Most CACREP-Accredited programs have a completion time of two years or more so the less than two-year completion of this program is unique.

Required Courses for Licensure in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Statute requires certain courses to be completed before obtaining licensure in the state. Programs that are CACREP-Accredited meet all course requirements, but the programs that are not accredited must be sure to follow state law. The following course subjects should be taken to obtain licensure in Wisconsin:

• Human Growth and Development
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Helping Relationship
• Group Dynamics Processing and Counseling
• Lifestyle and Career Development
• Assessment and Testing
• Research and Evaluation
• Professional Counseling Orientation 
• Crisis and Trauma Counseling
• Addictions Counseling
• Family Counseling

In addition to the above required courses, one course must be taken in either the Foundations of Mental Health Counseling or the Foundations of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. Applicants must have also taken a course in Clinical Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment Planning or Rehabilitation Counseling Diagnosis and Treatment Planning.

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Wisconsin

According to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, there are two stages of licensure in Wisconsin. The first state is the Licensed Professional Counselor Trainee (LPC-T) license and the second is the Licensed Professional Counselor license (LPC).

The LPC-T license allows a counselor to practice after graduating from an approved master’s in counseling program while obtaining the required supervision hours. This license is valid for 48 months. The only requirement to obtain this licensure is graduation from an approved master’s in counseling program and to be in good legal standing.

After 48 months is up, a mental health counselor has the option to either renew the LPC-T or apply for an independent license. The independent license, or LPC, allows the counselor to practice without supervision. To obtain this licensure, one must acquire 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience as an LPC-T, pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), and pass the open-book jurisprudence exam. The jurisprudence exam ensures that counselors know the laws around professional counseling.

Wisconsin Counseling FAQs

How many continuing education hours are required to renew my license?
According to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, 30 hours of continuing education are required for each renewal period. Four of those hours must be in the area of ethics and professional boundaries.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in Wisconsin

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a mental health counselor in Wisconsin is $58,740. This is higher than the national average of $53,710.

How to Become a School Counselor in Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater has simplified the requirements for obtaining a school counselor licensure. To become a school counselor in Wisconsin one must graduate from an approved master’s degree in school counseling, complete a yearlong internship in a school, and pass the Praxis II Professional School Counselor Exam.

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Wisconsin

According to O*Net Online, the average salary of a school counselor in Wisconsin is $60,460. This is slightly lower than the national average of $61,710.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Wisconsin

Steps by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services detail how to become a substance abuse counselor. The first step is to complete 360 hours of substance abuse education followed by passing the National  Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADC) examination, and 3,000 hours of supervised substance use work.

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Wisconsin

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a substance abuse counselor is the same as a mental health counselor. The average salary for both professions is $58,740. This is higher than the national average of $53,710.

What Other Career Options Are Available to Those with a Degree in Mental Health Counseling

The skills learned in a Master’s of Counseling program open the door for many positions outside the counseling profession. Some of the important skills learned in school and the counseling field include communication, problem-solving, and crises. Some positions with this degree include human resources, governmental social services, education, and non-profit leadership. Many people in the field also get into counseling consulting where they work alongside other counselors without working with clients.