Choosing an Illinois counseling master's program means looking beyond its name: clinical training, total cost, and Illinois licensure fit can change the value of the degree. This guide is for future counselors and career changers comparing those trade-offs. It accompanies the 2027 Best Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Illinois, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. You'll learn how to assess program fit, costs, training, and career prospects before applying.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Illinois
A clinical mental health counseling master's is the relevant degree path for many aspiring Illinois professional counselors, but graduation alone does not confer a license; confirm coursework and supervised-training alignment with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage for the relevant mental health and substance use counseling occupation in May 2025 and projects 18% U.S. employment growth for 2025-2035. Neither figure predicts an individual Illinois graduate's pay or job prospects.
Compare total program cost and clinical-placement support, not tuition alone. A lower-priced or online option can be less practical if required placements are difficult to arrange near where you live.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Illinois?
A clinical mental health counseling degree is usually a graduate program combining counseling theory, assessment, ethics, research, and supervised work with clients. It is intended for people seeking a counseling career, including career changers whose bachelor's degree is in another subject. Illinois program titles vary - some say "counseling" and offer multiple pathways - so the title alone does not establish whether a curriculum fits your intended license.
Expect classroom or online instruction alongside an in-person practicum and internship. You will develop interviewing, case-conceptualization, treatment-planning, documentation, and referral skills under supervision. Before accepting an offer, ask the program to map its current curriculum and fieldwork to Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) requirements. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) determines licensure eligibility; a school's description is not a licensing decision.
This degree makes the most sense if you want to provide counseling and can commit to supervised clinical training. If your goal is school counseling, psychology licensure, or a role that does not require independent clinical practice, compare those distinct educational and credential pathways before investing in a counseling master's.
Where can I work with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Illinois?
Potential settings include community mental health agencies, hospitals, outpatient clinics, substance use treatment organizations, colleges, and group practices. The work available to you depends on the position and your credential: a new graduate seeking licensure should not assume they can immediately practice independently. IDFPR's LPC and LCPC rules matter when evaluating job descriptions that require an Illinois license.
Location can change the training-to-work transition. Chicago-area students may have access to a wider variety of placement settings, while a student elsewhere in Illinois may need to consider travel time or whether a program has established local supervisors. Ask each school where students in your area have completed placements recently; a statewide claim of "placement support" is less useful than evidence relevant to your commute and interests.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a $59,350 U.S. median annual wage in May 2025 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, the occupational category most relevant to clinical mental health counseling. This is a national occupation-wide figure, not an Illinois starting salary or a return guaranteed by a master's degree. Experience, license level, employer, hours worked, and setting can substantially affect an offer.
For an Illinois decision, compare actual job postings in the communities where you would work with each program's total price and likely borrowing. Ask schools for recent, clearly defined graduate employment data, including whether reported jobs required a license. Do not compare a national occupational median directly with your expected first-year pay.
The program pages point to different starting questions rather than one universally best format. Use the distinctions below to decide which schools merit a closer look, then request current credit totals, clinical-placement policies, tuition, and licensure disclosures before making a final comparison.
Lewis University: Lewis places its MA in clinical mental health counseling within its psychology offerings (Lewis University graduate catalog). That departmental setting may appeal to applicants interested in psychology-informed training; ask how counseling coursework and field placements connect to your intended Illinois license.
Northwestern University: Northwestern lists counseling through The Graduate School rather than under a degree title that, by itself, specifies clinical mental health counseling (Northwestern University, The Graduate School). Request the current track and curriculum details before assuming its counseling pathway matches another school's explicitly named clinical program.
Wheaton College: Wheaton explicitly offers an MA in clinical mental health counseling through its graduate school (Wheaton College program page). Its Christian educational setting is a meaningful fit consideration for students who want to discuss how professional counseling training and faith commitments relate in practice.
Governors State University: Governors State presents counseling as an MA program rather than only as a clinical-mental-health-titled degree (Governors State University program page). For applicants considering its south-suburban location, the key comparison is the specific pathway available and whether its placement network fits their commute.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: SIU Carbondale houses its master's information in a counseling and rehabilitation program area (Southern Illinois University Carbondale program page). Students interested in rehabilitation-related work should compare the available curriculum with clinical mental health pathways elsewhere rather than treating the two labels as interchangeable.
Northeastern Illinois University: NEIU's catalog identifies a dedicated MA in clinical mental health counseling (Northeastern Illinois University graduate catalog). For Chicago-area applicants comparing public options, that clearly identified degree makes it straightforward to request a course-by-course Illinois licensure review.
The Chicago School at Chicago: Its program page identifies a Chicago-based MA in clinical mental health counseling (The Chicago School program page). Applicants seeking city-based clinical training should ask which placements the Chicago program supports and whether those opportunities match their preferred client population.
Adler University: Adler offers an MA specifically titled clinical mental health counseling (Adler University program page). Students attracted to Adler's social-justice emphasis should ask how that emphasis appears in required courses and supervised placements, not just in the program's stated philosophy.
Roosevelt University: Roosevelt lists its clinical mental health counseling MA in its graduate health-science catalog (Roosevelt University graduate catalog). Applicants interested in health-related service settings can use that structure as a prompt to ask about relevant electives and placements; it does not, on its own, establish a clinical specialty.
Program pages do not always report outcomes in comparable ways. The most popular clinical mental health counseling programs offer another view of student choice, but popularity does not establish licensure fit, affordability, or placement quality.
Plan on approximately two to three years of full-time master's study, with part-time study generally taking longer; the actual schedule depends on credits, course sequencing, and when you can complete supervised placements. Ask for a term-by-term plan rather than relying on an advertised completion time. A program that starts an internship only after prerequisite courses, for example, may not fit a rigid work schedule.
The degree timeline is not the full licensure timeline. Illinois LPC or LCPC eligibility can involve examinations and supervised experience beyond coursework, depending on the credential sought (IDFPR). If you need to keep working, compare whether a part-time program offers required courses at usable times and whether your job can accommodate clinical hours.
Online delivery changes where you attend classes; it does not remove the need for supervised clinical work with clients. An on-campus program may make face-to-face meetings and local placement coordination easier, while an online or hybrid program may reduce commuting for a working student. Neither format is inherently more licensure-ready: compare the specific curriculum and fieldwork arrangement against IDFPR requirements.
For an online program, get written answers about who finds and approves Illinois placements, where supervision occurs, whether any campus visits are required, and what happens if a placement falls through. Check the program's authorization and licensure disclosures for the state where you expect to practice. A common mistake is choosing a convenient online schedule before confirming that clinical hours can be completed near home.
There is no single published Illinois average that reliably represents the full cost of these particular counseling master's programs. NCES/IPEDS graduate tuition measures can help compare institutions, but they are not automatically the price of a specific program or its required clinical training. Request a current, program-level estimate before treating any tuition figure as your budget.
Build that estimate from required credits and per-credit tuition, then add mandatory fees, books, travel to placements, and any costs associated with clinical requirements. At a public university, check residency rules and whether your program's tuition differs from the general graduate rate. At a private university, ask for your likely net cost after institution-specific aid; public versus private ownership alone does not determine value.
Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal graduate aid, then ask each school about counseling assistantships, scholarships, employer tuition benefits, and payment plans. Federal graduate aid and its borrowing limits are governed by Federal Student Aid rules; eligibility and available loan types depend on the student's circumstances and current regulations. A bachelor's-level aid package is not a reliable guide to graduate funding.
Illinois residency does not automatically make a graduate student eligible for state grants. Check each Illinois Student Assistance Commission program's current degree-level and residency rules rather than assuming an undergraduate award will continue into a master's. Compare offers by total repayment obligation, not just the first term's award, and ask whether funding continues through the internship period.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
82–83
1
84–85
1
86–87
2
88–89
1
90–91
8
92–93
3
94–95
1
Programs generally require a completed bachelor's degree and an application that may include transcripts, references, a statement of purpose, and an interview. Psychology coursework can be useful, but applicants should check each institution's official admissions page rather than assume a psychology major is mandatory. Some schools specify prerequisite courses or additional screening before clinical placement.
If you have prior graduate credits, request a written transfer-credit evaluation before enrolling. Transfer acceptance is a school policy; it does not by itself establish that your combined coursework meets IDFPR's education rules. Career changers should also ask how the program supports students who have limited prior experience in behavioral health.
Common subjects include counseling skills, human development, diagnosis and assessment, group counseling, multicultural counseling, ethics, research, and treatment approaches, followed by practicum and internship. The exact course titles matter less than the content, credits, and supervised experience a licensing reviewer will examine. CACREP's counseling standards provide one framework for evaluating program content, while IDFPR sets Illinois licensure requirements.
Ask for the current course sequence and sample clinical-training plan. If a program offers electives in an area you care about, check whether required courses leave room to take them without extending your graduation date.
Depending on the school, students may encounter electives or placements focused on substance use, trauma, children and adolescents, rehabilitation, or particular community settings. An elective cluster is not necessarily a separate credential. Compare the actual courses and supervised client work behind a specialization label, especially if you want to serve a specific population after licensure.
School counseling and marriage and family therapy are distinct professional pathways with their own credential considerations; do not assume a clinical mental health counseling concentration qualifies you for either. For an Illinois school-based goal, investigate Illinois State Board of Education requirements as well as the degree description.
Start with the job and license you want, then eliminate programs that cannot clearly document a workable path toward that goal. Check institutional accreditation, any claimed CACREP programmatic accreditation in CACREP's directory, and the curriculum against current IDFPR rules. CACREP recognition and institutional accreditation answer different questions; neither replaces a licensing-board determination.
For the remaining options, request comparable answers to these questions:
What are the current total required credits, full-program tuition and fees, and typical time to completion at my study pace?
Who arranges, approves, and supervises placements near where I intend to live and work?
Which Illinois license requirements does the current curriculum address, and what steps remain after graduation?
How are completion, exam results, and employment outcomes defined, measured, and dated?
Estimate return on investment using net price, likely debt, time out of paid work, probability of completion, your current earnings, realistic post-degree opportunities, and the time over which you expect benefits to accrue. The most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs provide a useful comparison lens, but your own aid offer and career starting point may change the answer.
A graduate might pursue counseling roles in community agencies, outpatient behavioral health, substance use services, or other supervised settings, subject to employer and Illinois licensing requirements. With further qualifying experience and the appropriate credential, a counselor may pursue roles with greater clinical independence or supervisory responsibility. Those are career possibilities, not automatic outcomes of graduation (IDFPR; BLS).
Choose placements with your intended work in mind. If you hope to work with clients experiencing substance use disorders, for instance, ask whether relevant supervised sites are available and whether employers in that setting request additional training or credentials. A degree is more likely to be a sound investment when its field experience helps you enter the jobs you actually want.
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by U.S. state - Mental Health Counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
State
Value
AK
80,770
AL
47,310
AR
51,580
AZ
65,300
CA
59,250
CO
62,390
CT
63,590
DC
60,450
DE
56,020
FL
56,790
GA
58,960
HI
60,090
IA
60,880
ID
63,360
IL
60,730
IN
53,760
KS
59,470
KY
54,190
LA
37,910
MA
59,890
MD
59,530
ME
59,970
MI
61,690
MN
58,780
MO
56,910
MS
46,990
MT
59,000
NC
55,490
ND
68,630
NE
63,770
NH
54,840
NJ
62,820
NM
74,100
NV
57,210
NY
59,450
OH
58,360
OK
59,350
OR
74,590
PA
52,010
PR
46,790
RI
65,120
SC
52,370
SD
53,650
TN
49,580
TX
62,630
UT
63,890
VA
59,880
VT
61,810
WA
68,910
WI
62,220
WV
49,430
WY
62,980
BLS projects 18% U.S. employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. That national projection signals demand across the occupation, but it is not an Illinois forecast or a promise that a new graduate will find a preferred position immediately (BLS Employment Projections).
Assess the local market alongside the projection: compare current Illinois postings by location, license requirement, client population, schedule, and pay transparency. Chicago-area opportunities and opportunities in smaller communities may differ in setting and commute. Ask programs which employers recruit their students and whether graduates typically secure positions before or after meeting Illinois licensing requirements.
2027 Best Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Illinois
Education is a substantial investment, so Research.com designed this ranking to help readers compare programs using documented measures rather than reputation alone. Its team checks multiple education datasets and evaluates graduate outcomes, accreditation, licensure-exam results where applicable, and cost. The ranking is a starting point for investigation - not a substitute for confirming a program's current requirements and outcomes directly with the school.
The Best ranking begins with a graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score: program completion accounts for 40%; employment or doctoral admission, 20%; licensure-exam pass rate where applicable, 20%; CACREP programmatic accreditation, 16%; and institutional Title IV eligibility, 4%. Weights are renormalized when a criterion does not apply. Program cost then contributes a smaller component, approximately 7% of the final score. Online and campus programs use the same method; other Research.com counseling rankings order programs by the dimension named in their title.
The ranking draws on these sources to give readers a more credible basis for building a shortlist:
IPEDS database - institutional reporting on enrollment, completions, and prices.
Readers can review the broader approach on Research.com's methodology page. Because reported outcomes, tuition, and licensure rules can change, verify the details that matter to your decision before enrolling.
# 1 position
Lewis University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
94.50
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
87%
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
97% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
92% - 95% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
At least 15 semester hours of undergraduate psychology coursework, including a course in statistics or research methods; baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
Additional requirements
Application with personal statement of professional goals; two recommendation letters from professors, employers or supervisors (one from an instructor preferred); official transcripts; TOEFL/IELTS or similar for non-native English speakers.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Lewis University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 94.5/100, supported by 97% program completion rate and 92% - 95% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 2 position
Northwestern University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
93.44
/ 100
Final score
Program length
21 months (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
24 courses (equivalent to a 60-credit-hour program)
Program completion rate
95% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
90% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
TGS application + $95 fee; MAC program application (Standard/Two-Plus); unofficial transcripts; CV/resume; two recommendations; 250-word personal statement; 1,000-word academic statement; TOEFL/IELTS for international students; Zoom group interview; $38 background check; fall entry; no GRE.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Northwestern University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.44/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 95% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 3 position
Wheaton College
Master
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
92.47
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years, full-time
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
96% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2021)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall entry only: priority November 1 of the year before enrollment; regular February 1 of the enrollment year; international applicants January 1.
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; minimum GPA of 3.0.
Additional requirements
Application form; three essays; affirmations of the Statement of Faith and Community Covenant; official transcripts; four recommendation forms (academic, pastoral, professional, mental health); résumé; interview by invitation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Wheaton College earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.47/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 96% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 4 position
Governors State University
Master
Counseling, M.A.
Delivery mode: campus
92.38
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: February 15; Spring: August 15; Fall 2027 priority deadline: February 15, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE Verbal 155+ required if cumulative GPA is 2.5-2.74 and last-60-hour GPA is below 3.0, unless COUN 6600, COUN 6630 and ENGL 1010 are completed with B- or better
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree; GPA of 2.75+ cumulative or 3.0 over last 60 credit hours. Applicants with 2.50–2.74 meeting neither must score 155+ on GRE Verbal or complete COUN 6600, COUN 6630, and ENGL 1010 or equivalent with B- or better.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from all previous college work, Statement of Character, three personal references, and GRE scores if applicable. Qualified applicants may be invited to an interview; academic references are preferred.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Governors State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.38/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 5 position
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Master
Master of Science in Counseling and Rehabilitation Education
Delivery mode: campus
91.99
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Admission to the Graduate School; GPA of 2.75.
Additional requirements
Written essay with statement of professional goals; three letters of recommendation; faculty interview; $65 application fee.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.99/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 6 position
Northeastern Illinois University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
91.69
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 calendar years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Licensure exam pass rate
95% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: Feb 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Application form, application fee, official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, two professional recommenders, current resume, signed informed consent, and an essay (500-700 words)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Northeastern Illinois University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.69/100, with 95% licensure exam pass rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 7 position
The Chicago School at Chicago
Master
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Chicago Campus
Delivery mode: campus
91.67
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years full-time
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited university; GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Additional requirements
Application, $50 application fee, and official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned. Transcripts from all schools where credit was received are recommended.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
The Chicago School at Chicago earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.67/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 8 position
Adler University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
91.67
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years full-time
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
62 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or equivalent international institution; recommended GPA of 3.0 or higher (undergraduate and graduate coursework), with exceptions considered case-by-case.
Additional requirements
Application fee; completed online application; resume/CV; official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions; Statement of Intent; letters of recommendation/references; personal interview as final step (for approved applicants).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Adler University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.67/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 9 position
Adler University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.67
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 Year Course Sequence (online); 2-year program, full-time study
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
62 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or equivalent international institution; recommended GPA of 3.0 or higher (undergraduate and graduate coursework), with exceptions considered case-by-case.
Additional requirements
Application fee; completed online application; resume/CV; official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions; Statement of Intent; letters of recommendation/references; personal interview as final step (for approved applicants).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Adler University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.67/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 10 position
Roosevelt University
Master
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
91.67
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years full-time
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
March 1 (priority consideration / graduate assistantship deadline; fall admission only)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA on undergraduate coursework; minimum of 120 undergraduate credit hours; undergraduate major in counseling not required.
Additional requirements
Personal statement outlining goals and aspirations; interview by invitation only, required prior to admission; official transcripts; online application.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Roosevelt University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.67/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 11 position
Judson University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
91.56
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Under 3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
100%
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Application deadline
Spring 2027: Oct 16, 2026
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; minimum GPA of 2.50; minimum two years of work experience.
Additional requirements
Completed signed application form, official transcripts, two letters of reference, professional resume, one-page essay, interview with Program Chair and/or panel.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Judson University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.56/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 12 position
DePaul University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
90.31
/ 100
Final score
Program length
At least 3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
90 quarter credits
Application deadline
Fall: Priority Feb 15; Final June 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Additional requirements
Graduate admission application; $40 domestic/$75 international application fee; official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; résumé; three letters of recommendation; personal statement (five required prompts, max 1,500 words).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
DePaul University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 90.31/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-03-31.
# 13 position
Northwestern University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
89.24
/ 100
Final score
Program length
18 months (Accelerated Track, 6 quarters); traditional track ~30 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
24 courses (equivalent to a 60-credit-hour program)
Program completion rate
86% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
80% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
98% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
Additional requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or DACA recipients living in the United States and hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; a degree in psychology or human services is preferred but not required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Northwestern University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 89.24/100, supported by 98% licensure exam pass rate and 86% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 14 position
University of Illinois Springfield
Master
Human Development Counseling, MA with Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration
Delivery mode: campus
87.48
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
63% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
88% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Prerequisite coursework: N/A. Undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.00 over the last 60 credit hours or cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
Additional requirements
Graduate application ($60 fee); official transcripts; three recommendation forms; group interview; GPA 3.00 last 60 hours or 2.75 cumulative; fall admission only, January 31 priority deadline.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Illinois Springfield earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.48/100, supported by 88% licensure exam pass rate and 63% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 15 position
National Louis University
Master
M.S. in Counseling: Illinois
Delivery mode: campus
87.04
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
86% (2025)
Licensure exam pass rate
84% (2025)
Application deadline
rolling
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
National Louis University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.04/100, supported by 84% licensure exam pass rate and 86% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 16 position
Illinois Institute of Technology
Master
M.S. in Clinical Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
85.94
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years (4 semesters)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 18 credit hours in psychology or a closely related field
Additional requirements
Minimum GPA of 3.0; two letters of recommendation (academic and/or employer); professional statement; GRE not required; finalists contacted for a virtual interview
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Illinois Institute of Technology earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 85.94/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 17 position
Chicago State University
Master
M.A. in Community Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
83.29
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
93% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
40% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Priority: March 1 (Fall); Final: July 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Six credit hours of prerequisite courses, including developmental psychology and psychological statistics (B or better in at least one). Conditional admission possible until prerequisites are met.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Chicago State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 83.29/100, supported by 40% licensure exam pass rate and 93% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Illinois
Do I need a master's degree to become an Illinois clinical counselor?
A relevant graduate education is part of the Illinois LPC and LCPC pathways. Confirm the current education, examination, and supervised-experience rules with IDFPR; a degree alone is not a license.
Is CACREP accreditation required in Illinois?
Do not assume CACREP status is the only route to eligibility or that it guarantees a license. Check IDFPR's current education rules and ask the program to document how its coursework qualifies.
Can I complete the degree entirely online?
Academic courses may be online, but clinical practicum and internship still require approved supervised work. Ask where you can complete those requirements and whether campus visits are necessary.
How long should I budget for the degree?
Approximately two to three years of full-time master's study is a planning range; part-time schedules can take longer. Request the school's current term-by-term sequence and distinguish graduation from later licensure steps.
Is the degree worth the cost?
It can be if the program fits your licensing goal and its net cost, placement access, and time commitment are workable relative to your career options. Compare actual aid offers and likely debt against realistic local jobs - not a national median wage alone.
