Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Wisconsin

Alexander BuCher

Written by Alexander BuCher

Licensed Professional Counselor | Youngstown State University

Updated & Fact Checked: 10.01.2024

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.

Featured Online Master’s in Counseling Programs

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.

Marquette University

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours (21 months)
  • Online + In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

Credit Hours: 60 Credit Hours (21 months)

Online and in-person program located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tuition: $1,015 per credit hour

More Details

University of Wisconsin – Superior

  • Superior, WI
  • 60 Hours (2-year completion)
  • Online + In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Counseling

Accreditation: N/A

Credit Hours: 60 Credit Hours (2-year completion)

Online Program

Tuition: $520 per credit hour

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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.

Mount Mary University

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours
  • In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

Credit Hours: 60 Hours

In-person program located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tuition: $800 per credit hour

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University of Wisconsin – Stout

  • Menomonie, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours
  • In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

Credit Hours: 60 Hours

In-person program located in Menomonie, Wisconsin

Tuition:

  • $448.37 per credit hour for Wisconsin residents
  • $951.81 per credit hour for non-residents of Wisconsin
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University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

  • Whitewater, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours (3-year completion)
  • In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

Credit Hours: 60 Credit Hours (3-year completion)

In-person program located in Whitewater, Wisconsin

Tuition:

  • $585.75 per credit hour for Wisconsin residents
  • $1,200.20 per credit hour for non-residents of Wisconsin
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University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh

  • Oshkosh, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours
  • In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

Credit Hours: 60 Hours

In-person program located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Tuition:

  • $837.50 per credit hour for Wisconsin residents
  • $1,661.17 per credit hour for non-residents of Wisconsin
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Viterbo University

  • La Crosse, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours
  • In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

Credit Hours: 60 Hours

In-person program located in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Tuition: $635 per credit hour

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Wisconsin Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

SpecialtyUniversity NameDegreeCityStateAccreditationModalityGRE Required?Program LengthURL
Clinical Mental Health CounselingMarquette UniversityM.S.MilwaukeeWICACREPOnline & CampusNo GRE RequiredClinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingMount Mary UniversityM.S.MilwaukeeWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required2 YearsClinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Rehabilitation CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin - MadisonM.S.MadisonWICACREPCampusGRE Required2 YearsClinical Rehabilitation Counseling
School CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin - River FallsM.S.River FallsWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required2 YearsSchool Counseling
School CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin - WhitewaterM.S.WhitewaterWICACREPSchool Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin - WhitewaterM.S.WhitewaterWICACREPClinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin OshkoshM.S.OshkoshWICACREPClinical Mental Health Counseling
School CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin OshkoshM.S.OshkoshWICACREPSchool Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingViterbo UniversityM.S.La CrosseWICACREPClinical Mental Health Counseling
CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonM.SMadisonWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required2 YearsCounseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin-StoutM.SMenomonieWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required60 Credits HoursClinical Mental Health Counseling
Counselor EducationUniversity of Wisconsin-WhitewaterM.S.CWhitewaterWICACREPCampusNo GRE RequiredCounselor Education
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin-ParksideM.SKenoshaWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required60 Credits HoursClinical Mental Health Counseling
School CounselingConcordia University WisconsinM.S.EdMequonWICACREPOnlineNo GRE Required45 to 60 creditsSchool Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeM.SMilwaukeeWICACREPCampusNo GRE RequiredClinical Mental Health Counseling
CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonM.SMadisonWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required2 YearsCounseling
CounselingMarquette UniversityM.SMilwaukeeWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required2 YearsCounseling
CounselingLakeland UniversityM.APlymouthWICACREPOnlineNo GRE Required48-60 semester-hour.Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin-SuperiorM.SSuperiorWICACREPOnlineNo GRE Required2 YearsClinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling (School Counseling)University of Wisconsin M.SRiver FallsWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required60 CreditsCounseling (School Counseling)
Clinical Mental Health CounselingMarquette UniversityM.SMilwaukeeWICACREPOnline & Campus21 months , 60 CreditsClinical Mental Health Counseling
Professional CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin OshkoshM.S.Ed. OshkoshWICACREPCampus3 YearsProfessional Counseling
School CounselingUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeM.SMilwaukeeWICACREPCampusNo GRE Required2 YearsSchool Counseling
Counseling PsychologyUniversity of Wisconsin-PlattevilleM.SPlattevilleWICACREPCampusCounseling Psychology
Professional CounselingMount Mary UniversityM.S.MilwaukeeWICACREPCampusProfessional Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingMount Mary UniversityM.P.CMilwaukeeWICACREP60 creditsClinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Social Work with an Area of Specialization in Clinical Mental Health EmphasisUniversity of Wisconsin-Green BayM.S.WWisconsin WICACREPCampusMaster 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.

Lakeland University

  • Plymouth, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours
  • Hybrid

Program:
Master of Arts in Counseling

Accreditation: N/A

Credit Hours: 60 Hours

Hybrid Program located in Plymouth, Wisconsin

Tuition: $700 per credit hour

More Details

University of Wisconsin – Madison

  • Madison, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours
  • In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Counseling

Accreditation: N/A

Credit Hours: 60 Hours

In-person program located in Madison, Wisconsin

Tuition:

  • $782.47 per credit hour for Wisconsin residents
  • $1,165.40 per credit hour for non-residents of Wisconsin
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University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours
  • In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: N/A

Credit Hours: 60 Hours

In-person program located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tuition:

  • $707.11 per credit hour for residents of Wisconsin
  • $1,453.22 per credit hour for non-residents of Wisconsin
More Details

University of Wisconsin – Parkside

  • Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • 60 Hours
  • In-person

Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: N/A

Credit Hours: 60 Hours

In-person program located in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Tuition:

  • $494 per credit hour for Wisconsin residents
  • $1,084.39 per credit hour for non-residents of Wisconsin
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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.