Popular Online Master's in Counseling in Wisconsin [2026] - Best Accredited Online Counseling and School Counseling Degrees in Wisconsin

Study Master’s in Counseling in Wisconsin

As a prospective graduate student in counseling, the chances are good that you already work in a helping profession, education, or a related area. That means you likely need to continue working part-time or full-time while you complete your degree. That’s where an online counseling program is a significant benefit.

Many colleges and universities in Wisconsin offer graduate programs in this field. So, not only can you get a flexible, respected degree, but you also have your pick of which program fits your professional goals the best.

This guide offers insights into some of the popular high-quality online master’s in counseling programs in Wisconsin. Read up on each one, compare and contrast each, and select the right program for you.

Best Accredited Online Master's in Counseling Programs in Wisconsin - School Counseling Degrees in Wisconsin

Online Master’s in Counseling in Wisconsin

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online master’s in counseling in Wisconsin:

Marquette University
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Concordia University Wisconsin
Lakeland University
Northwestern University
Walden University
The Chicago School
Arizona State University
National University

Marquette University

Online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

At Marquette University, you can complete an online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that offers two specializations: child and adolescent counseling or a general track. In either case, you’ll need to complete 60 credits, which takes around three years to complete as a full-time student. All told, you’ll complete 18 classes during your time in the program. You must also complete field experiences in the form of a practicum and an internship.

Assuming you choose the child and adolescent track, you’ll start with basic counseling courses like Introduction to Counseling and Foundations of Mental Health Counseling. The former explores the history of counseling, its philosophical roots, and the development of counseling as a professional career. You’ll discuss counselor roles, the different settings where counselors work, and examine basic counseling skills, too.

The latter focuses on the professional skills and knowledge you need as a mental health counselor. For example, you’ll discuss different delivery models, interventions, and prevention strategies you can use with clients of all types. You’ll also learn about counselors’ roles in disaster and crisis situations.

Other foundational coursework you’re required to complete as part of this CACREP-accredited program includes the following:

Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Life-Span Human Development
Theories of Counseling
Multicultural Counseling
Research Methods in Counseling

As a future clinical mental health counselor, you must be highly familiar with the process of diagnosing clients. You’ll learn how to do so in Psychopathology and Diagnosis. This course explores mental disorders of all types. You’ll learn how to assess people for psychopathology, use the DSM to arrive at a diagnosis, and develop interventions to address each client’s primary concerns. You’ll build off this class by taking Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling to round out your skills.

The Assessment in Counseling class goes hand-in-hand with the psychopathology and advanced diagnosis courses. In this class, you’ll learn about the basic methods of assessing clients on a variety of measures, from personality to intelligence to vocational interests. In each case, you’ll learn about multiple assessments so you can draw on your experience to select the appropriate measures to assess your clients.

You must also take the following courses to complete the required portion of the curriculum:

Career Development and Counseling
Group Counseling
Family Counseling
Addictions Counseling
Trauma Counseling

This track includes two electives. The first is Counseling with Children and Adolescents. This class explores the developmental stages of childhood and adolescence as well as the counseling theories that address common mental health issues of children in these age groups. You’ll learn about the warning signs of mental health issues, how to assess children, and how to utilize strength-based counseling approaches with children.

Then, you’ll take Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities. This class focuses mostly on the rehabilitative processes for clients in need of medical and psychiatric care. You’ll examine many different realms of disability (including cultural, contextual, and psychosocial factors) and learn how you can help facilitate independent living for your clients.

The final aspect of this program is the fieldwork. First, you’ll participate in a Counseling Practicum that gives you your first taste of working with clients. This supervised experience requires you to complete 100 clock hours, of which 40 hours must be in direct contact with clients. Second, you’ll complete an Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that gives you yet more experience working with clients in a supervised setting. The internship focuses on numerous aspects of counseling, including:

Assessment and diagnosis
Intervention strategies
Prevention strategies
Consultation

You must complete at least 300 hours of internship work. These hours are accumulated on a semester basis, so you’ll end up with 600 or more hours. If your state requires 900 hours for licensure, you can take a third semester of internship as an elective course.

The application requirements are as follows:

Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Submit unofficial transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Provide two letters of recommendation from references who are familiar with your potential as a graduate student and your fitness as a professional counselor.
Provide a personal statement in which you discuss why you’re interested in becoming a counselor and why you feel you are well suited for this profession.
Participate in a 30-minute faculty interview.

University of Wisconsin-Superior

Online Master of Science – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Science in Education-Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Superior has an online track in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that can be finished in as little as two years. The program requires 60 credits to graduate, most of which are online courses. However, you must complete in-person fieldwork to get the appropriate supervised counseling experience. The fieldwork component will take place at an approved site near where you live.

The curriculum begins with a 36-credit sequence of program core courses. For example, you’ll take Counseling Theories, which offers an analysis of historical and modern theories of counseling. Essentially, this class is an introduction to counseling that allows you to begin developing your own counseling identity.

Family Counseling is another early course you’re required to take. As you can discern from the course title, this class discusses family systems theory, family therapy techniques, and explores the special approaches required for this type of counseling. For example, you’ll look at communications approaches, behaviorism, and structural therapy, to name just a few.

Additionally, you’ll take foundational courses that focus on the following:

Crisis Intervention and Family Trauma
Career Counseling
Human Growth and Development
Multicultural Counseling
Psychopathology

Your initial time in this program also includes a pre-practicum experience. The purpose of this class is to introduce you to counseling skills and allow you to develop them prior to your practicum fieldwork. You’ll learn how to build rapport with clients, how to interview clients, and explore the roles and functions of counselors, too. Other required courses examine areas like assessment, crisis intervention, and group counseling.

The next phase of the curriculum is an 18-credit sequence of professional counseling coursework. You’ll start with an Introduction to Counseling class that offers a broad overview of the counseling profession. You’ll learn about program development, prevention strategies, and the importance of advocacy. You’ll also discuss relevant laws that govern the practice of counselors in Wisconsin and other states.

Another professional counseling class you’re required to take is Clinical Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. This class is crucial for your development as a counselor because diagnosis and treatment are central to your role. As part of your studies, you’ll examine the DSM and learn how to use it for diagnostic purposes. You’ll also become familiar with intake interview strategies, caseload management, and treatment planning.

The remaining classes are professional counseling electives. These courses expand on the professional counseling topics discussed in the courses outlined above. You must take two of the following:

Family Group Systems
Couple and Marital Counseling
Play Therapy
Counseling Children and Adolescents
Behavior Modification
Counseling and Human Sexuality

Each of the required and elective courses for this degree is just seven weeks long. The practicum and internship components are also seven weeks long. So, the 100-hour practicum offers you an introductory field experience for seven weeks, during which time you’ll refine your counseling knowledge and skills at an approved site. You’ll have a site supervisor to assist in your development. You’ll observe their work, assist them with counseling activities, and also get some independent counseling time with clients.

The 600-hour internship builds off of the practicum by offering you an advanced opportunity to develop your counseling skills. This is the final step before graduation, so you must demonstrate competence of counseling skills as well as the practice of counseling. Again, you’ll have an on-site supervisor to help you along the way. You must also participate in weekly online classes for support and supervision.

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:

Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above.
Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Submit a current resume.
Provide a letter of intent in which you discuss your volunteer work, your career and professional goals, and the areas you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses.
Provide three letters of recommendation.
Complete a criminal background check.

Concordia University Wisconsin

Online Master of Science in Education-School Counseling

Another online counseling program you might consider is the Master of Science in Education-School Counseling from Concordia University Wisconsin. With just 45-48 credits needed to complete this program, you can become a licensed school counselor in just two years. Most of the credits (36-39) are required coursework. The remaining credits come in the practicum and portfolio requirements.

By completing the requirements of this degree, you’ll be able to provide counseling services to K-12 students in school settings. The services you provide will depend on the specific school you work at. However, generally speaking, you’re likely to offer individual and group counseling, academic advisement, and support for teachers in the classroom. School counselors often develop and implement school-wide counseling education programs, too, such as anti-bullying campaigns.

The required coursework includes a wide range of essential courses. You’ll start by taking classes such as:

Counseling Theories and Issues
Human Development
Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling
Consultation Strategies
Trauma Counseling

These courses alone will help you become a well-rounded counselor. However, this is just the beginning of the curriculum. For example, you’ll take an Individual Counseling class that gives you hands-on experience utilizing counseling techniques. You’ll learn how to cultivate one-on-one relationships with students, explore the various roles of school counselors, and develop a greater self-awareness that enhances your ability to provide professional services to students.

As another example, you’ll take a group counseling class that explores the principles and functions of counseling in a group setting. You’ll learn how to lead groups, build relationships among participants, and explore the various stages of group counseling, too.

Career Counseling is yet another important class required for your professional development. You’ll learn about the various skills and personality characteristics that are important for this type of work. You’ll also explore aptitudes, interests, beliefs, and values, and their role in the life-long process of work. You’ll learn how to use career assessments and inventories as well.

Additional coursework is required in the following areas:

Tests and Measurements
Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Counseling Programs
Models and Methods of Family Counseling
Professional Ethics
Management for Counselors

The portfolio and practicum are the final two components of this program. The portfolio is a performance-based assessment. In other words, you must compile evidence of your competency and skill as a counselor. This portfolio is a work in progress; you’ll add to it and refine it over five different courses and field experiences. The portfolio isn’t just necessary for graduation; it’s also a requirement for licensure in Wisconsin.

There are four practicum experiences in this program. First, you’ll complete a pre-practicum that introduces you to working as a pre-service counselor. Then you’ll complete 200-hour field experiences in three different settings: elementary, middle, and high school. With a total of 600 hours of practicum experience at the K-12 level, you’ll graduate from this program with the experience needed to be an effective counselor in any school setting.

In each grade level, you’ll gain valuable experience in social and emotional counseling, academic work, and career counseling. You’ll also get to experience the day-to-day workings of school counselors, from crisis counseling to program development to advocacy and beyond. You’ll be supervised at each grade level and will also participate in continuing supervision with your professors throughout your fieldwork experiences.

You must meet the following requirements to apply:

Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Provide official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Submit two letters of recommendation.
Submit a current resume that includes your education and employment history.
Submit a one-page essay in which you discuss your career goals, the reason you want a graduate degree, and why you want to complete your degree at Concordia University.

Lakeland University

Online Master of Arts in Counseling

Lakeland University offers a Master of Arts in Counseling with three tracks you can choose from: school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and higher education counseling and student affairs. You must complete 48-60 credits, depending on the track you choose. In any case, you’ll need around 2.5-3 years to finish the requirements for graduation.

Let’s say you’re interested in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track. If so, you’ll need to take 36 credits of required coursework and 24 credits of classes focusing specifically on clinical mental health counseling. The required coursework begins with Introduction to Counseling and Ethics. This foundational course provides an overview of counseling, including its history, licensing regulations, and the therapeutic relationship. You’ll also discuss codes of ethics and standards of professional practice, such as those outlined by the American Counseling Association.

Another foundational course is Multiculturalism and the Practice of Counseling. This class examines the beliefs and opinions we hold about other groups of people. You’ll explore biases and prejudices that might interfere with your ability to establish therapeutic relationships. This includes a discussion of biases relating to age, religion, sexual orientation, and ethnicity, among others.

A number of classes focus on the process of counseling. For example, you’ll take the following:

Counseling Methods and Ethics
Counseling Theories
Psychometrics and Assessment
Counseling Children and Adolescents
Group Therapy

Other classes explore counseling topics that are further afield. For example, you’ll take a Research Methods and Program Evaluation class that explores the processes of counseling research. You’ll learn about quantitative and qualitative research, basic measurement, and research design. This class also examines the basic constructs of planning, carrying out, and reporting research in counseling.

Additional required courses focus on highly specific topics. For example, the Counseling Children and Adolescents class gives you a complete look at the theories and practices of counseling young people. You’ll learn about evidence-based treatment programs for children, multicultural considerations when working with children, and learn how to use play therapy and group therapy to address the mental health concerns of children as well.

The next phase of this program focuses specifically on clinical mental health counseling topics. The following classes are required:

Couples and Family Therapy
Counseling and Treatment of Addictive Disorders
Advanced Clinical Skills
Psychopharmacology for Counselors
Structure and Organization of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The remaining credits are composed of fieldwork. You’ll complete a Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling first. This 125-hour experience takes place in an approved community mental health setting. You’ll have an on-site supervisor who will help you integrate your counseling knowledge and hone your skills in the context of individual and group therapy. You’ll initially observe your supervisor as they work, but as time goes on, you’ll be able to take the lead in counseling sessions. At least 50 of the 125 hours you complete must be in direct contact with clients.

You’ll continue your development as a counselor in the two-semester 600-hour internship. Again, you’ll complete these hours in a supervised setting. You’ll build on your experiences in the practicum and take an even more active role in completing day-to-day counseling tasks. You’ll work with individuals and groups. In fact, at least 240 hours of the 600 hours you acquire in the internship must be in direct contact with clients.

The admissions criteria are as follows:

Have a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences (or at least nine undergraduate credits) from an accredited college or university.
Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher (though applicants can apply with a lower GPA, provided they have test scores, advanced coursework, or a 3.0 GPA in the final 48 credits of undergraduate work.
Submit two letters of recommendation.
Provide a personal essay.
Provide a current resume.
Complete a background check.
Participate in an on-site formal interview.

How Much Do Licensed Mental Health Counselors Make in Wisconsin?

As of January 2026, the average annual salary for a licensed mental health counselor working in Wisconsin is $90,460. More experienced and top earning licensed mental health counselors working in Wisconsin make over $140,000 per year.

Accredited Online Master’s in Counseling Programs in Wisconsin [2026]