Choosing a counseling master's program means comparing more than a school's reputation: the degree must fit your budget, schedule, clinical training needs, and Wisconsin licensure plans. This guide accompanies the 2027 Most Popular Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Wisconsin, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. Whether you are entering counseling or changing careers, you'll learn how to compare program formats, costs, requirements, and likely career paths before committing.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Wisconsin
For Wisconsin clinical practice, compare master's curricula against the Department of Safety and Professional Services' licensed professional counselor requirements before comparing popularity or price; graduation alone does not confer a license.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage in May 2025 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. It projects 18% employment growth for the occupation in 2025-2035; neither figure predicts an individual graduate's outcome.
Public and private nonprofit programs across Wisconsin offer different locations and training arrangements. The consequential cost comparison is total tuition and fees plus living costs, clinical-placement travel, financing, and time away from work.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Wisconsin?
A clinical mental health counseling degree is usually a practice-oriented master's program preparing students to assess concerns, plan treatment, provide counseling under supervision, and work with clients ethically. Expect coursework, skills practice, a practicum, and an internship. The degree is an educational step toward Wisconsin professional counselor licensure, not a license itself; the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) sets the applicable requirements.
The distinction between counseling degrees matters because a similarly named program may prepare students for a different credential. This comparison helps narrow the search before reviewing individual curricula.
Path
Primary preparation
Best fit
Clinical mental health counseling master's
Clinical counseling coursework and supervised client care
Applicants seeking a path toward professional counselor licensure
School counseling master's
Counseling services in educational settings
Applicants whose intended credential and workplace are schools
Counseling certificate or nonclinical program
A narrower skill set or a different professional purpose
People whose goal does not require clinical counselor licensure
Before enrolling, request the program's written explanation of how its coursework and fieldwork address current DSPS rules. That check is especially important if a degree has a broad "counseling" title or you intend to practice outside Wisconsin.
Where can I work with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Wisconsin?
Potential settings include community mental health agencies, health systems, outpatient clinics, substance-use treatment programs, and private practices. The work available to a new graduate depends on the position's duties, supervision, employer requirements, and licensure status - not simply possession of the degree. Wisconsin DSPS regulates the professional counselor credential.
Location affects training as well as employment. A program near Milwaukee may offer access to a different mix of placements than one serving a smaller community; neither is automatically better. Ask where recent students completed internships, whether evening or weekend placements exist, and how much travel a placement might require before assuming you can keep your current job.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a $59,350 national median annual wage for May 2025 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. This occupational figure covers workers with varying experience, credentials, and roles; it is not a Wisconsin starting salary or a master's-program earnings estimate.
When comparing the investment, ask programs for recent, program-specific employment information and ask local employers about pay for the roles you could hold immediately after graduation and after licensure. A national median is useful context, but an offer, supervision arrangement, and debt repayment plan are more useful for testing whether a particular program is affordable.
These program-page highlights identify differences worth investigating, rather than declaring one option best for every student. Details about clinical placements, current curricula, and eligibility should be confirmed directly with each program before applying.
Mount Mary University: Its graduate offering is a master's in counseling, a broader title than the clinical mental health degree names used by several other schools here. Applicants should ask which available curriculum or track addresses Wisconsin's clinical counselor education requirements before treating the degree title as evidence of licensure fit. Source: Mount Mary University.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: The university identifies a clinical counseling option within its counseling department. That clearly identified path is useful for applicants comparing it with other counseling offerings; request its current clinical-course and placement sequence rather than relying on department-level descriptions. Source: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
University of Wisconsin-Stout: Its named M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling gives applicants a defined clinical degree to investigate at a public university in western Wisconsin. For students who need to remain in that part of the state, the decisive follow-up is whether the program's class and placement arrangements work with their employment and travel limits. Source: University of Wisconsin-Stout.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater: Its counseling department presents options that require applicants to distinguish their intended professional path. Students interested in clinical practice should confirm the precise degree option and its Wisconsin licensure alignment, rather than assuming every counseling curriculum leads to the same credential. Source: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Viterbo University: The school names its graduate offering the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. Its La Crosse location may be practical for students seeking to build a placement network in western Wisconsin, provided the available sites and required attendance fit their plans. Source: Viterbo University.
Marquette University: Its graduate offering is specifically identified as Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Milwaukee. Applicants who want clinical training in an urban setting should compare its actual placement support and full cost with nearby options, rather than assuming location alone secures a preferred internship. Source: Marquette University.
Program titles and locations are starting points, not outcome measures. Compare the current handbook, credit and fieldwork requirements, accreditation status, published student outcomes, and a written cost estimate before choosing among these schools.
A full-time clinical counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time study can take longer. The calendar depends on course sequencing, when practicums and internships are offered, and whether placements can accommodate a working student. Treat an advertised fastest completion time as conditional until an adviser maps your actual start term and course load.
If you already hold graduate coursework, ask whether credits may transfer and whether transferred courses satisfy the clinical content and fieldwork requirements relevant to Wisconsin licensure. Transfer approval may reduce classroom time without shortening a required internship or later supervised professional experience.
Online delivery can reduce commuting to classes, but it does not eliminate supervised clinical training or necessarily make placements remote. Campus study may make in-person skills practice and contact with local placement staff easier, while requiring a less flexible commute. A hybrid option sits between those arrangements.
For each format, ask which courses require live attendance, where skills sessions occur, who finds and approves internship sites, and whether the school can support your intended practice state. If you live far from campus or expect to move, placement logistics and state licensure alignment deserve more weight than an "online" label.
There is no single reliable statewide price for a clinical mental health counseling master's: published tuition may be quoted per credit, per term, or for a particular academic year, and programs can differ in required credits and fees. Compare current program-level estimates rather than applying an undergraduate tuition average to graduate study. NCES IPEDS institutional figures can provide context, but they may not represent the price of a specific counseling program.
Request a total-degree budget covering tuition, required fees, books, placement travel, and likely living costs. Public-university residency rates can change the comparison for an out-of-state applicant; private nonprofit schools may have different aid offers. The most affordable clinical mental health counseling programs are a useful shortlist, but compare their net costs under your circumstances.
Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then check each graduate program for assistantships, scholarships, and placement-related support. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans may be available to eligible graduate students; institutional and Wisconsin-based awards have their own rules and deadlines. Verify each offer with the school and Federal Student Aid rather than assuming an undergraduate grant will continue into graduate study.
Graduate PLUS availability has changed for new borrowers. Under the federal rules taking effect July 1, 2026, new graduate borrowers generally cannot use Graduate PLUS; limited transition provisions may apply to qualifying students who had already borrowed for the same program. Ask the financial aid office to determine your eligibility under Federal Student Aid rules before building a budget around that loan.
Compare aid offers against the entire program cost and expected time to completion. An assistantship that reduces tuition but conflicts with clinical placement hours may be less valuable than it first appears.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors in Wisconsin (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
46,510
25th percentile
52,420
Median
62,220
75th percentile
77,520
90th percentile
94,640
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree, academic records, and application materials that show readiness for graduate study and client-facing work. Individual programs set their own rules for prerequisite coursework, recommendations, interviews, and background checks; review the current admissions page rather than assuming a psychology major is required everywhere. Sources: Mount Mary University; University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh; University of Wisconsin-Stout; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Viterbo University; Marquette University.
Admissions eligibility and eventual licensure eligibility are separate questions. Before paying an application fee, ask whether your prior coursework meets entry requirements and whether the program can document how its education and supervised training address current Wisconsin DSPS professional counselor rules.
Expect study in counseling theories, assessment, diagnosis, ethics, multicultural counseling, research, and treatment approaches, followed by supervised practicum and internship work. Exact course names and sequences vary by school. For a prospective Wisconsin counselor, the important comparison is not which catalog uses the most appealing titles, but whether the complete curriculum covers the education areas DSPS requires.
Ask for a course-to-requirement map and a recent fieldwork handbook. A course listed as an elective may not be available when you need it, and a placement you must arrange yourself can affect both graduation timing and cost.
Clinical counseling students may encounter electives or training focused on substance use, trauma, children and adolescents, couples and families, or particular treatment methods. A concentration is not necessarily a separate license or certification. Check whether a school offers a formal track, a few electives, or only the possibility of choosing a related internship.
If your goal is school counseling rather than clinical practice, compare that credential pathway separately. If you want addiction-related work, ask whether the coursework and supervision also address any additional credential you intend to pursue. Wisconsin DSPS requirements for the specific profession - not a concentration's name - should guide the decision.
Start with the credential and workplace you want, then eliminate programs that cannot clearly explain their fit with current Wisconsin licensure requirements. Accreditation deserves a specific check: institutional accreditation, CACREP programmatic accreditation, and eligibility for federal student aid answer different questions. Confirm a program's current status with the accreditor and ask DSPS or the program how that status relates to the route you intend to use.
Use the following checks to turn a shortlist into a decision:
Request the current curriculum and a written explanation of how it addresses DSPS education and fieldwork requirements.
Ask who secures placements, where recent placements occurred, and whether required hours fit your work schedule.
Compare full net cost, borrowing needs, likely completion time, and earnings you could realistically pursue with your intended credential.
Ask for recent program-specific completion, exam, and employment information, including the reporting period and number of students covered.
Do not choose on popularity alone, and do not treat a lower sticker price as a better return without accounting for aid, debt, lost work time, completion probability, and the time needed to reach your career goal. Use the best clinical mental health counseling programs to widen your comparison and the most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs to examine value - but verify the underlying program facts yourself.
A graduate may pursue a supervised clinical role while working toward professional counselor licensure, then consider agency, hospital-affiliated, outpatient, or private-practice work as qualifications permit. Related substance-use or specialized roles may have additional employer or credential requirements. Wisconsin DSPS determines licensure eligibility; a master's diploma does not independently authorize every type of clinical practice.
The degree is most compelling if you want sustained, direct client care and are prepared for supervised training and a regulated career path. If your goal is school counseling, a nonclinical support role, or a faster credential, compare the relevant education route first rather than paying for clinical training you may not need.
View the chart data as a table
Graduates (2024-25) distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
20–29
4
30–39
1
40–49
0
50–59
0
60–69
1
The BLS projects 18% U.S. employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. That national projection suggests demand for the occupation, but it is not a Wisconsin vacancy count or a guarantee of local openings. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections.
Test local opportunities before choosing a school or placement: review Wisconsin job postings for the credential and supervision they require, and ask prospective internship sites whether they hire graduates into suitable roles. This is especially useful when comparing an urban campus with one serving a smaller labor market. An internship can help you learn a local system, but it should not be treated as a job offer.
2027 Most Popular Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Wisconsin
Investing in graduate education is an important decision. Research.com's team uses education and institutional data to make its counseling rankings more credible and useful, while recognizing that no ranking can determine whether a program meets an individual student's licensure, financial, or scheduling needs.
The ranking draws on these data sources:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completion, and cost data.
Research.com's counseling methodology considers graduate completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable licensure-exam results, CACREP programmatic accreditation, federal Title IV eligibility, and cost. Its Best ranking combines outcomes and accreditation before adding a smaller cost component; rankings named for another dimension order programs by that dimension. Consequently, popularity should be read as a signal of student interest, not as proof of superior licensure results or value. See Research.com's methodology for more detail, and use the ranking to form a shortlist rather than make a final decision.
# 1 position
Mount Mary University
Master
M.S. in Professional Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
50.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
accelerated 2-year option
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2025)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025)
Licensure exam pass rate
95% (2025)
Application deadline
March 1
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE or MAT required as evidence if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, unless a 3.0 GPA in the final 60 credits or in post-baccalaureate coursework is shown
Prerequisites
Regionally accredited bachelor's; 18 credits in human development, education, psychology, sociology, social work or communications (undergraduate statistics preferred); 3.0 GPA or equivalent evidence (e.g., GRE, MAT, 3.0 in final 60 credits).
Additional requirements
Online Graduate Student Application, nonrefundable application fee (waived for Mount Mary alumni), official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Mount Mary University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 50.6/100, supported by 37 graduates (2024-25) and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 2 position
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Master
MSE: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
45.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
January 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university or college; counseling related experience preferred
Additional requirements
Application fee; criminal background check; two references; official undergraduate transcripts; resume; application supplement; disclosure statement; individual and group on-campus interview with faculty and students.
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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 45.9/100, with 26 graduates (2024-25) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 3 position
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Master
M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
45.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Typically 2 years (about 80% of students); completion deadline: 7 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
24.71%
Program completion rate
100% (2026)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Feb 1 (Summer/Fall admission); Oct 1 (Spring admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Application materials reviewed on GPA, coursework and transcripts, and experience working with others (paid or volunteer); applicants invited to interview must participate in a required on-campus group interview.
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 Wisconsin-Stout earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 45.4/100, supported by 25 graduates (2024-25) and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 4 position
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Master
M.S. in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
45.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
As little as 3 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
80% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025)
Application deadline
Summer/Fall 2027: Feb 1, 2027
Application process
direct (UW-Whitewater Graduate School application portal)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Minimum of 9 credits relevant to the helping profession (e.g., human development, psychology, education, research/statistics); statistics, abnormal psychology and human development courses required early in the program.
Additional requirements
Cover letter, resume, four-section personal statement, documentation of prerequisite courses, two references, background check (ViewPoint), interview
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 Wisconsin-Whitewater earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 45.4/100, supported by 25 graduates (2024-25) and 80% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 5 position
Viterbo University
Master
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
42.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
80% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (typically in a human service or social science field) plus general psychology and research methods/statistics. Applicants missing prerequisites may be conditionally admitted with a completion plan.
Additional requirements
Online application with personal statement (about 500 words), two recommendations, and official transcripts; English proficiency scores for non-native speakers; explanatory letter if GPA is below 3.0; personal interview for qualified applicants. Background check required before practicum/internship.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Viterbo University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 42.4/100, supported by 20 graduates (2024-25) and 90% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 6 position
Marquette University
Master
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
58.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
21 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: February 1 priority; rolling thereafter as space permits until August 1 (June 1 for international applicants).
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent before entry. No prerequisite courses; human-service experience is recommended.
Additional requirements
Online application and fee; transcripts; three recommendations; purpose statement; resume/CV; optional GRE; English proficiency for international applicants; faculty interview for selected applicants.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Marquette University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 58.3/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Wisconsin
Is a clinical mental health counseling master's worth it?
It can be if you want a path toward licensed clinical counseling and can manage the degree, placement, and post-degree requirements. Compare your net cost and time away from work with the roles you expect to pursue; salary medians do not predict your personal return.
Does graduation make me a licensed counselor in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin DSPS sets separate education, supervised-experience, examination, and application requirements for professional counselor licensure. Confirm the current route before enrolling.
Can I complete a Wisconsin counseling degree online?
Some programs may offer online or hybrid coursework, but clinical skills training and approved field placements still need to be arranged. Verify attendance and placement rules for the specific program.
Should I choose a CACREP-accredited program?
Check CACREP status when comparing programs because programmatic accreditation can matter for certain pathways or employers. It is not interchangeable with institutional accreditation, and you should confirm how your selected degree meets current Wisconsin DSPS rules.
Can I keep working during the program?
Possibly, especially with a suitable part-time schedule. Ask when classes, practicum, and internship hours occur; fieldwork can be less flexible than coursework.
