A counseling master's degree can be a substantial investment, and the lowest tuition does not necessarily lead to the lowest total cost or the right path to licensure. This guide is for prospective and working students comparing Illinois clinical mental health counseling programs. It explains costs, training formats, state licensure considerations, and career outcomes. The 2027 Most Affordable Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Illinois, created by the Research.com team of data scientists, helps students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Illinois
Compare the full degree cost, not tuition alone. Illinois programs differ in credit requirements, fees, residency charges, field-placement logistics, and time away from work; request a written estimate through graduation.
Verify the Illinois licensure path before enrolling. A master's degree does not itself confer Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) status; confirm the curriculum and later requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Use earnings as context, not a promise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage in May 2025 for the occupational group encompassing mental health and substance abuse counselors, with projected employment growth of 18% for 2025-2035.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Illinois?
Clinical mental health counseling is graduate preparation for assessing clients, developing treatment plans, providing counseling, and working within professional and ethical boundaries. In Illinois, the relevant degree is generally a counseling master's or a closely related master's with a clinical mental health concentration. It combines classroom learning with supervised practice; a short certificate is not an interchangeable route to the same professional goal.
Expect substantial work in counseling theories, diagnosis, ethics, multicultural practice, research, and supervised practicum or internship. A student planning to practice in Illinois should check the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requirements before choosing electives or accepting a placement. Degree completion, programmatic accreditation, supervised experience, examination, and state licensure are separate matters. A program can prepare students for the process without awarding a license at graduation.
This path makes sense for someone who wants to provide mental health counseling and can accommodate supervised clinical training. Someone primarily interested in school-based counseling, social work, or psychology should compare those professions' distinct degrees and licenses before paying for a clinical mental health counseling program.
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 programs, nonprofit organizations, and, after meeting applicable requirements, private practice. Job titles and permitted duties depend on the employer and the individual's Illinois license or supervised status; a degree alone should not be treated as permission for independent clinical practice (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Location can change the practical value of a program. Students targeting Chicago-area employers may prioritize placement access near the city, while those planning to work elsewhere in Illinois should ask whether a school can arrange suitable supervision near home. A lower-priced degree becomes less affordable if required clinical travel, reduced work hours, or relocation adds materially to its cost.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage for May 2025 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. This is an occupational median, not an Illinois starting salary or a forecast for graduates of any particular school. Pay can differ by setting, location, experience, and license level.
To judge whether a degree is financially worthwhile, compare plausible earnings in jobs available at graduation and after licensure with what you earn now. Include tuition and fees, borrowing costs, lost wages during placements, and the time needed to meet post-degree requirements. The national median is useful for scale, but it cannot establish an individual return on investment (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Program titles alone do not establish a difference in cost, outcomes, or licensure eligibility. The distinctions below identify a concrete feature to investigate at each institution and explain when it might matter; request current credit plans, placement details, outcomes, and prices before deciding.
University of Illinois Springfield: Clinical mental health counseling is identified as a concentration within its M.A. in Human Development Counseling. Students who want that particular degree structure should compare the concentration's required courses with Illinois licensing rules rather than assuming the concentration name settles eligibility (University of Illinois Springfield).
Governors State University: The university presents counseling within a broader M.A. program. This may suit applicants comparing counseling directions, but they should confirm the exact clinical mental health sequence and total requirements for their chosen route (Governors State University).
Chicago State University: Its clinical mental health counseling program is presented through the psychology department. Applicants interested in that academic setting should ask how counseling-specific supervision and field placements are organized (Chicago State University).
Northeastern Illinois University: The catalog identifies a dedicated M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. A catalog-based degree plan gives applicants a useful starting point for checking required coursework and whether classes fit their work schedule (Northeastern Illinois University).
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: Counseling and rehabilitation appear together in its master's-level program information. Students interested in both areas should verify which degree route and placement opportunities align with clinical mental health practice rather than treating the fields as equivalent (Southern Illinois University Carbondale).
Lewis University: Its graduate catalog lists an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling within psychology. Applicants can use the published catalog requirements to compare this stand-alone degree with programs that offer clinical mental health counseling as a concentration (Lewis University).
Judson University: Judson presents a named M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students considering it should compare the published degree plan and placement arrangements with their intended location and available study time (Judson University).
Wheaton College: Wheaton lists an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through its graduate school. Applicants should examine the program's stated educational approach alongside its clinical requirements to decide whether both fit their goals (Wheaton College).
DePaul University: DePaul identifies a clinical mental health M.A. within its counseling offerings. Students seeking placements in the Chicago area should ask about actual site availability and supervision arrangements, rather than assuming location alone secures a preferred placement (DePaul University).
Illinois Institute of Technology: Illinois Tech describes a master's in clinical counseling. Because its degree title differs from several programs above, applicants should map its specified coursework and supervised training directly to the Illinois license they intend to pursue (Illinois Institute of Technology).
These features are not claims that one school has better outcomes or a lower current price. For a comparison emphasizing quality rather than affordability, see the best clinical mental health counseling programs.
A full-time counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time study can take longer. The actual timeline depends on required credits, course rotation, when clinical placements begin, and whether internships can be completed while working. Ask for a term-by-term plan for your intended enrollment status rather than relying on a school's shortest advertised timeline.
Graduation is not the end of the Illinois licensing timeline. The IDFPR distinguishes its counselor licenses and their requirements, including post-degree supervised experience where applicable. If independent practice is your goal, compare programs by both time to graduation and how clearly they support the later licensure steps (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Online coursework can reduce commuting, but clinical training still requires appropriate supervised experience. Delivery format does not, by itself, establish whether a degree satisfies Illinois requirements. The comparison below focuses on differences that can affect total cost and completion.
Factor
Online or hybrid
On campus
Class attendance
May offer more scheduling flexibility; live sessions or campus visits can still be required.
Requires travel for scheduled classes; in-person contact is built into the format.
Clinical placement
Usually must be arranged at an approved site; local availability and school support matter.
May be easier to coordinate near campus, but a preferred site is not assured.
Cost exposure
May reduce commuting while adding technology, travel, or placement-related costs.
May add commuting or relocation costs; compare these with any tuition difference.
For a working adult outside a major campus area, online or hybrid study may be the better fit if the school can support an approved local placement. Choose campus study when its schedule and placement network suit you better. In either case, confirm program accreditation status and Illinois licensure alignment with the program and IDFPR before enrolling.
There is no single verified statewide average in this article that accurately represents the full price of every Illinois clinical mental health counseling master's. Published tuition measures may cover different academic years or count tuition without mandatory fees, and a general graduate tuition average is not the same as this degree's total cost (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS). Treat any quoted annual tuition as an input, not the answer.
The comparison below shows why a lower advertised rate may not produce the lowest bill. Request the same information from every school so the totals are comparable.
Cost component
Why it can change the decision
Tuition and required credits
A lower per-credit price can be offset by a longer degree plan; public-school residency rules may also affect the rate.
Mandatory fees and materials
These can be omitted from a headline tuition figure.
Clinical placement expenses
Travel, required checks, and reduced paid work can raise the effective cost.
Grants, scholarships, and employer support
Net cost can differ substantially from the published price.
Compare written, program-specific estimates through graduation, including the terms in which you expect to enroll. Then consider whether a shorter schedule would require giving up income. The most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs offer another comparison lens, but value still depends on your own net cost and goals.
Graduate students may be able to use federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans if they meet federal eligibility rules and enroll in an eligible program. Institutional scholarships, graduate assistantships, employer tuition benefits, and placement-site support may also be available, but awards and restrictions vary by school (Federal Student Aid; individual institutions). Do not assume an Illinois undergraduate grant applies to a master's degree.
To reduce borrowing, compare aid offers using the same attendance period and ask whether an award continues during internship terms. File the FAFSA, ask each financial aid office for its graduate cost-of-attendance estimate, and check whether assistantship duties can coexist with clinical training. Borrowing eligibility is not evidence that the resulting debt will be manageable for your intended job (Federal Student Aid).
Applicants generally need a completed bachelor's degree and must meet the selected school's graduate admissions rules. Programs may request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or prerequisite coursework; these are institutional requirements, not a uniform Illinois admissions checklist (individual institutions).
Before applying, check whether your undergraduate major is acceptable, which prerequisites can be completed after admission, and whether prior graduate courses can transfer. Transfer credit is a cost and timeline issue: a school may accept a course academically without treating it as a substitute for a particular clinical or licensure-related requirement. Get that decision in writing before counting on a shorter degree.
A clinical mental health counseling plan typically covers helping relationships, assessment, diagnosis, ethics, human development, group counseling, research, and supervised clinical work. The exact course titles and sequence differ. In Illinois, applicants should pay particular attention to whether the school can document the coursework and training needed for the license they intend to seek (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; individual institutions).
Read the catalog and clinical handbook together. A course list may show what you will study, while the handbook explains when placements occur, who can supervise them, and what happens if a site falls through. Those operational details can matter more to an employed student than an attractive elective.
Depending on the program, students may find electives or focused training in areas such as substance use, trauma, child and adolescent counseling, or rehabilitation-related practice. An elective emphasis is not necessarily a separate credential, and a clinical mental health degree should not be assumed to qualify someone for a different profession's license (individual institutions; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Choose a focus only after confirming that its courses leave room for the core degree and Illinois licensing requirements. If your main goal is school counseling or marriage and family therapy, compare programs built specifically for those routes rather than expecting a clinical mental health elective to replace them.
Start with the job and license you want, then compare the programs capable of supporting that route. An affordability ranking narrows the search; it cannot account for your commute, existing income, placement options, or aid offer. Use the same questions with every school:
Ask the program to identify the exact Illinois license its degree is designed to support and how it documents required coursework and supervised training.
Confirm current programmatic accreditation status directly with the accreditor, and distinguish that from the institution's accreditation and federal aid eligibility.
Request a term-by-term degree plan and a written estimate of tuition, mandatory fees, and likely placement-related costs through graduation.
Ask how clinical sites and supervisors are approved, including what support is available in the part of Illinois where you expect to train.
Request program-level completion and relevant licensure-exam information, including the reporting period and number of students represented.
A common mistake is choosing solely on sticker tuition or assuming "online" means placements can be completed anywhere. Another is reading an occupational median as a graduate salary guarantee. A sound return-on-investment comparison considers net cost, debt, completion probability, time out of work, baseline and potential earnings, and how long it may take for benefits to offset costs. To see a different indicator of student interest, compare the most popular clinical mental health counseling programs; popularity is not a substitute for fit or licensure verification.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors in Illinois (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
43,010
25th percentile
47,390
Median
60,730
75th percentile
80,070
90th percentile
109,100
Graduates may pursue supervised counseling roles in community agencies, outpatient care, hospitals, or substance use services while meeting applicable credential requirements. Later opportunities may include licensed clinical roles or private practice, depending on the individual's license, experience, and employer requirements (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
These paths are not interchangeable on graduation day. Ask prospective employers which positions accept a new master's graduate, which require an LPC or LCPC, and who provides supervision. If your intended role requires independent practice immediately, account for the post-degree licensing period before deciding that the degree fits your timeline.
View the chart data as a table
Reported total program cost distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
$20,000–$39,999
5
$40,000–$59,999
3
$60,000–$79,999
1
$80,000–$99,999
0
$100,000–$119,999
1
Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. That projection indicates demand across the occupation, but it does not measure openings in a particular Illinois county or guarantee a job to a new graduate.
For a local decision, compare actual openings in the area where you plan to live with your likely license status at graduation. Pay attention to whether employers offer supervision, require evening or crisis coverage, or seek an independently licensed clinician. A placement network close to your intended job market may be worth more to you than a modest tuition saving elsewhere.
2027 Most Affordable Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Illinois
Investing in education is an important decision. Research.com developed this ranking to help readers compare affordability without losing sight of program quality and likely career fit. Its counseling rankings consider graduate outcomes, applicable licensure-exam pass rates, accreditation, federal aid eligibility, and program cost; the Most Affordable ranking orders programs by its affordability dimension. A low-cost position should therefore be a starting point for checking each school's current charges and licensure preparation, not a substitute for those checks.
The Research.com team uses multiple education datasets to check the credibility and accuracy of its comparisons. The sources used to create the ranking are:
IPEDS database: institutional information, including reported enrollment, completions, and prices.
Peterson's database: program and institutional information used in comparisons.
For context, Research.com's Best counseling ranking first combines program completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable licensure-exam results, CACREP accreditation, and Title IV eligibility, then gives cost a smaller role. Criteria that do not apply are reweighted. Other counseling rankings order programs by the dimension named in their title, and the approach applies to online and campus programs. Readers can review further details on Research.com's methodology. Because published datasets can lag current academic-year prices, confirm any apparent bargain directly with the institution before committing.
# 1 position
University of Illinois Springfield
Master
Human Development Counseling, MA with Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration
Delivery mode: campus
96.00
/ 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 Affordability Score of 96.0/100, supported by $21,716 total tuition (estimated) and 61 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 2 position
Governors State University
Master
Counseling, M.A.
Delivery mode: campus
90.10
/ 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 Affordability Score of 90.1/100, supported by $29,885 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 3 position
Chicago State University
Master
M.A. in Community Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
89.80
/ 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 Affordability Score of 89.8/100, supported by $30,300 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 4 position
Northeastern Illinois University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
88.20
/ 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 Affordability Score of 88.2/100, supported by $32,453 total tuition (estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 5 position
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Master
Master of Science in Counseling and Rehabilitation Education
Delivery mode: campus
84.70
/ 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 Affordability Score of 84.7/100, supported by $37,240 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 61 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 6 position
Lewis University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
81.70
/ 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 Affordability Score of 81.7/100, supported by $41,425 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 7 position
Judson University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
78.90
/ 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 Affordability Score of 78.9/100, supported by $45,250 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 8 position
Wheaton College
Master
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
72.00
/ 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 Affordability Score of 72.0/100, supported by $54,830 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 9 position
DePaul University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
62.10
/ 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 Affordability Score of 62.1/100, supported by $68,530 total cost (tuition and fees) and 90 quarter credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-03-31.
# 10 position
Illinois Institute of Technology
Master
M.S. in Clinical Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
28.10
/ 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 Affordability Score of 28.1/100, supported by $115,500 total tuition (estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Illinois
What is the cheapest clinical mental health counseling degree in Illinois?
The answer depends on your residency, required credits, fees, aid, and time to completion. Use the affordability ranking to identify candidates, then obtain current written total-cost estimates from each school.
Can I become an Illinois counselor with a master's degree alone?
No. Degree completion and Illinois licensure are separate. Check the applicable LPC or LCPC education, examination, and supervised-experience requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Are online counseling master's degrees accepted in Illinois?
Delivery format alone does not determine eligibility. Verify the degree's coursework and supervised clinical arrangements against Illinois requirements before enrolling.
Is CACREP accreditation required for every Illinois counseling applicant?
Do not assume either that it is universally required or that it is irrelevant. Check the current Illinois licensing rules for your intended route and verify any program's accreditation status directly with CACREP and the school.
Is a clinical mental health counseling master's worth the cost?
It may be if it supports your intended license and job, and its net cost and time commitment fit your finances. Compare your likely debt and lost income with realistic career options, not a promised salary.
