Choosing an Illinois counseling degree means choosing a career path, not just a campus: a school counseling program and a clinical mental health program can lead to different credentials. This guide compares those paths alongside costs, training formats, licensure considerations, and career prospects. It also features the 2027 Best Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Illinois, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which counseling programs are worth considering. Use it to narrow your options before committing time and money.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Illinois
Choose the credential first: Illinois school counseling typically points toward a Professional Educator License, while independent clinical practice requires a separate Illinois counseling licensure path (Illinois State Board of Education; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
A clinical mental health master's commonly involves about two years of full-time study plus supervised fieldwork; confirm each school's credit and placement requirements before comparing prices (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
The U.S. median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025, with employment projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035. Those national figures describe occupations, not guaranteed Illinois graduate outcomes (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Illinois?
Expect a practice-focused education in interviewing, assessment, ethics, multicultural counseling, and supervised work with clients or students. The most consequential choice is which population you want to serve. School counseling prepares students for educational settings; clinical mental health counseling focuses on treatment across community or healthcare settings. Rehabilitation and marriage, couple, and family counseling may require different coursework or credentials (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; Illinois State Board of Education).
The degree level also changes what the investment can accomplish. A bachelor's degree in a related subject can support entry-level human-services work, but it is not the usual endpoint for Illinois professional counselor licensure. A master's is the main professional preparation route; a doctorate is more relevant to research, counselor education, or advanced supervision. A short certificate may add skills, but should not be assumed to replace a qualifying degree (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
These paths have different endpoints. Compare programs against the role you want, not simply the word "counseling" in their names.
Program focus
Best fit
Credential question to resolve
School counseling master's
Working with students in schools
Does the program meet Illinois school-counselor endorsement requirements?
Clinical mental health counseling master's
Providing counseling in behavioral health settings
Does its curriculum support the intended Illinois LPC or LCPC pathway?
Related bachelor's or certificate
Exploring the field or building support-service skills
What additional graduate education would the target job require?
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Illinois?
The setting depends on specialization and credential. School counselors work in public or private schools; clinical mental health counselors may work in community agencies, hospitals, group practices, or, when appropriately licensed, private practice. Addiction and rehabilitation roles can involve treatment providers, social-service organizations, or vocational services (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Location affects training as well as employment. A Chicago-area program may offer access to a wider range of placement settings, while a program elsewhere in Illinois may be easier to attend without relocating. Neither advantage is automatic: ask where recent students completed placements, whether those sites accepted evening or part-time trainees, and who arranged the supervision.
Pay follows the occupation, employer, location, and level of responsibility - not the degree title alone. The national medians below are useful for comparing career directions, but they are not Illinois starting salaries or predictions of an individual graduate's earnings (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 wages).
Career direction
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
U.S. projected employment change, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
+18%
School counseling
$64,330
+3%
Marriage, couple, and family counseling
$66,940
+14%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
+2%
For an Illinois return-on-investment estimate, compare actual offers in the county where you plan to work with the program's total net cost. Account for earnings you may give up during fieldwork and for the time between graduation and any advanced license; a national median does not capture either factor.
The programs in the ranking do not all prepare students for the same work. The distinctions below are most useful as a shortlist: verify each program's current credits, placement arrangements, outcomes, and credential disclosures directly with the school before applying.
Eastern Illinois University - school counseling: Its dedicated school counseling program is a more direct match for applicants committed to working in schools than a general clinical counseling degree. Ask the program how it places students in schools near their intended home or work location (Eastern Illinois University).
Roosevelt University - MA in school counseling: This is a school-focused master's option for applicants who want their graduate study tied to student support rather than clinical private-practice preparation. Compare its field-placement schedule with your ability to work during the school day (Roosevelt University).
Lewis University - MA in clinical mental health counseling: Lewis identifies clinical mental health counseling as the degree's focus, making it relevant to applicants planning an Illinois professional-counselor pathway. Its graduate catalog is the place to check required coursework against the state's current licensure rules, rather than assuming the degree title alone establishes eligibility (Lewis University; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Chicago State University - school counseling: Its school counseling option may appeal to applicants who want to prepare for school-based work while studying in Chicago. Confirm school-site placement support and Illinois educator-licensure alignment before treating proximity as the deciding factor (Chicago State University; Illinois State Board of Education).
Northwestern University - counseling: Northwestern presents counseling as a graduate academic program, so applicants should inspect its specific curriculum and delivery requirements rather than rely on the university's broader reputation. It is worth comparing its total cost and clinical-placement responsibilities with programs aimed at the same credential (Northwestern University).
Governors State University - counseling MA, clinical direction: Applicants interested in behavioral health should identify the clinical coursework and supervised practice within the MA before comparing it with a clinical mental health degree elsewhere. The meaningful test is whether that route fits the Illinois license they intend to pursue (Governors State University; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Wheaton College - MA in clinical mental health counseling: Wheaton's explicitly clinical mental health degree gives applicants a clear professional focus to evaluate. Because institutional mission and training environment can shape the experience, ask how the program prepares students to counsel clients with differing backgrounds and beliefs (Wheaton College).
Governors State University - counseling MA, school direction: For a prospective school counselor, the important distinction within a broader counseling degree is whether the selected coursework and fieldwork satisfy Illinois school-counselor requirements. Request a written explanation of that route before enrolling (Governors State University; Illinois State Board of Education).
Governors State University - counseling MA, specialization choice: A broader MA can warrant a closer look from students still comparing counseling settings, but flexibility matters only if the available study options lead toward the intended credential. Ask whether changing direction would add courses or delay fieldwork (Governors State University).
University of Illinois Springfield - MA in human development counseling, school counseling concentration: UIS places school counseling within a human development counseling master's, a structural difference from degrees titled solely "school counseling." Applicants should compare the concentration's school-specific coursework and placement requirements - not just the parent degree name - with Illinois educator-licensure rules (University of Illinois Springfield; Illinois State Board of Education).
A counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years full-time; part-time study can take longer. The real constraint is often supervised training: a program may allow flexible classroom scheduling while still requiring placements during a school or agency's operating hours. Confirm the school's published credit total, course sequence, and practicum and internship calendar rather than using the advertised minimum completion time alone (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; individual program catalogs).
If you plan to keep working, ask for a term-by-term plan that includes fieldwork. An accelerated route is worthwhile only if you can complete its clinical or school placement without losing needed income or extending graduation.
Online delivery can reduce commuting and expand access for students far from a campus. It generally does not remove the need for supervised, in-person work with clients or students. On-campus study may simplify access to faculty and local placement contacts, but it can create travel or relocation costs. The better format is the one whose schedule and placement network you can actually use (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; individual program disclosures).
Before choosing an online program, confirm in writing that it accepts students living in Illinois, explains how local placements are approved, and discloses whether its curriculum meets the Illinois credential you want. A program's authorization to enroll you and its suitability for professional licensure are separate questions (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
There is no single useful statewide price for a counseling master's: published tuition may be charged per credit, while fees, required travel, and fieldwork-related expenses vary by program. Public universities may also distinguish resident from nonresident tuition. Compare a full-program estimate rather than a one-year sticker price, and request current figures directly from each institution (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS; individual university tuition schedules).
A lower-priced program is not necessarily cheaper to finish if its course sequence delays graduation or requires substantial commuting to placement sites. Use the most affordable counseling programs as a starting shortlist, then calculate your likely net price after grants or assistantships. Keep borrowing and forgone wages in the comparison; institution type alone does not determine value.
Graduate students should complete the FAFSA and check each school's assistantships, scholarships, and placement-related stipends. Eligible graduate students may use federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, subject to federal limits. Illinois' Monetary Award Program is aimed at eligible undergraduates, so a prospective master's student should not count on it when building a budget (Federal Student Aid; Illinois Student Assistance Commission).
Graduate PLUS rules have changed for new borrowers. For study beginning in 2027, do not assume that Graduate PLUS will cover a funding gap: ask the financial aid office whether you qualify under applicable transition rules and what federal borrowing limits apply to your enrollment (Federal Student Aid). If a proposed package still depends on private loans, compare its repayment terms with the earnings and time-to-licensure associated with your intended job.
View the chart data as a table
Programs by degree level (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
Master
30
Doctorate
4
Master's programs generally require a bachelor's degree and an application with transcripts; schools may also request recommendations, a statement of purpose, relevant experience, or an interview. A psychology major is not automatically required, but individual programs can specify prerequisite coursework. Admissions eligibility and eventual Illinois credential eligibility are different checks (individual program admissions pages; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
Before applying, send an advisor your undergraduate transcript and intended career goal. Ask which prerequisites remain, whether prior graduate credits can transfer, how many credits the school will accept, and whether transferred courses satisfy both program and credential requirements. This avoids the costly mistake of counting credits that shorten neither the degree nor the licensure path.
Expect foundations in counseling theory, helping relationships, assessment, research, ethics, and counseling across cultures, followed by supervised practicum and internship. Clinical mental health students should look closely at diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical practice; school counseling students should look for student-development, school-systems, and school-based fieldwork content (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
Course names alone can conceal an important gap. Request the current degree plan and ask the program to map it to the Illinois LPC or LCPC pathway, or to the Professional Educator License school-counselor endorsement, as appropriate. Keep that response with your application records because licensure decisions are made by the relevant Illinois authority, not by the ranking or the course catalog alone (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
Common directions include clinical mental health, school, addiction, rehabilitation, and marriage, couple, and family counseling. Some are separate degrees; others are concentrations within a broader master's. They are not interchangeable labels: each emphasizes a different population, workplace, and potentially different licensing or certification rules (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
If you are undecided, compare the required field placements and credential disclosures before choosing a broad program. If you already know you want to work in an Illinois school, a clearly mapped school-counseling route is generally a more useful comparison than an unrelated clinical specialization.
Start with the job and credential you want, then compare programs that plausibly lead there. The most valuable counseling programs can broaden your shortlist, but value for you depends on net cost, completion likelihood, placement feasibility, and the time it takes to reach your intended role.
Use these checks with every finalist; the answers should be specific enough to compare side by side.
Identify the Illinois license or school credential required for your target job, and ask the program for its current written eligibility disclosure.
Check institutional accreditation and any claimed CACREP programmatic accreditation directly with the accreditor; do not assume one substitutes for the other (U.S. Department of Education; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
Request total tuition and fees, likely aid, a term-by-term completion plan, and the practical schedule of supervised placements.
Ask for program-level completion, placement, and applicable examination results, including the reporting year and the size of the graduating group.
Compare expected debt and forgone earnings with realistic post-degree opportunities over a chosen time horizon, rather than assuming the highest published salary will apply to you.
Be wary of a school that cannot explain who arranges placements or how its degree relates to the credential you seek. Conversely, a lower-cost or part-time option may be the stronger investment if it lets you finish while maintaining income.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
82-83
1
84-85
4
86-87
4
88-89
3
90-91
11
92-93
8
94-95
3
A school-counseling graduate may pursue school-based student support after meeting Illinois educator requirements. A clinical mental health graduate may pursue professional counseling roles and, with the additional requirements for the relevant license, a path toward independent clinical practice. Addiction, rehabilitation, and family-focused work offer other possibilities, but employers and regulators can require different preparation (Illinois State Board of Education; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
If you want to enter helping work sooner without committing to a master's, explore support roles with an employer that clearly states its credential requirements. That route can test your interest, but it is not a substitute for the graduate education and supervised experience required for licensed counseling practice.
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
Nationally, employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). That signals a different national outlook from school counseling, but it does not establish the number of openings near a particular Illinois campus or guarantee a position after graduation.
For a local decision, search current Illinois postings for your desired credential and compare them with programs' placement locations. Look separately at Chicago-area employers and the communities where you would actually accept work. The most popular counseling programs can show additional schools to investigate, but enrollment interest is not evidence of local hiring demand.
2027 Best Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Illinois
Investing in education is an important decision, especially when the degree must also fit a professional credential. Research.com created its counseling rankings to help readers compare programs using outcomes, accreditation, and cost rather than reputation alone. Its team checks and combines information from the following sources to support the ranking's quality, credibility, and accuracy:
IPEDS database: institutional enrollment, completion, and cost information.
Peterson's database: program and institutional information used in comparisons.
For the Best ranking, a graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), applicable licensure exam pass rates (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and institutional Title IV eligibility (4%). Weights are redistributed when a criterion does not apply. Program cost then contributes a smaller component - about 7% of the final score. The method applies to online and on-campus programs; other Research.com counseling rankings order programs by the dimension named in each ranking. See Research.com's methodology for more detail. A ranking is a starting point, not a substitute for confirming a program's current price, outcomes, and fit with your intended credential.
# 1 position
Eastern Illinois University
Master
M.S. in Counseling – School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
95.43
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
100% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Third Monday of February
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Practicum (CHE 5630) requires CHE 5500 Research Methods, CHE 5510 Professional Orientation, CHE 5520 Theories of Counseling, CHE 5530 Basic Counseling Skills, plus a background check; second Internship requires a passing Content Area Test.
Additional requirements
Two departmental recommendation forms; Pre-Admission/Orientation Interview. School Counseling also requires a criminal background check and passing TAP score before Practicum, plus liability insurance.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Eastern Illinois University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.43/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 2 position
Roosevelt University
Master
Master's in School Counseling, MA
Delivery mode: campus
94.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years full-time
Specialization
School Counseling
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2023-24)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, at least 120 undergraduate credit hours, a personal statement of goals, and a passing ACT or SAT score meeting the state's criterion; invitation-only interview required. Counseling major not required.
Additional requirements
Online Application; $40 Application Fee; 3.0 GPA; official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities; English Language Proficiency (international applicants); admission interview (by invitation only)
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 94.5/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 3 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.
# 4 position
Chicago State University
Master
M.A. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
93.85
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
96% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: March 1 (priority); July 15 (final, applications after this date considered for following Spring)
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Six credit hours of prerequisites including developmental psychology and psychological statistics; minimum 2.75 GPA (last 60 hours); essay and faculty interview; School Counseling requires an Illinois PEL or ED 5820.
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 93.85/100, with 96% program completion rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 5 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.
# 6 position
Governors State University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – School Counseling Specialty
Delivery mode: campus
93.31
/ 100
Final score
Program length
most expedited path approximately two and a half years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: Feb 15; Spring: Aug 15
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE verbal 155+ required if cumulative undergraduate 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 in last 60 hours. With GPA 2.5-2.74, score at least 155 on verbal GRE (or 1050 before Aug 2011) or take COUN 6600, COUN 6630, and ENGL 1010 (or equivalent) with B- or better.
Additional requirements
Official transcript(s) from all previous college work, Statement of Character, Three Personal References, GRE if applicable
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 93.31/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 7 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.
# 8 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.
# 9 position
Governors State University
Master
Counseling, M.A.
Delivery mode: campus
92.38
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family 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.
# 10 position
University of Illinois Springfield
Master
Human Development Counseling, M.A. with School Counseling Concentration
Delivery mode: campus
92.37
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
62% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
No prerequisite coursework. Three recommendation forms; group interview; minimum 3.00 GPA for last 60 undergraduate credits or 2.75 cumulative. Priority deadline January 31 (late materials by June 15).
Additional requirements
Official transcripts, statement of academic and career goals, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores if applicable, 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).
University of Illinois Springfield earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.37/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 62% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 11 position
University of Illinois Springfield
Master
Human Development Counseling, MA with Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Concentration
Delivery mode: campus
92.02
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
64% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
No prerequisite courses. Phase 1: three recommendation forms; Phase 2: group interview; full admission needs a 3.00 GPA in last 60 credits or 2.75 cumulative. Fall admission only; Phase 1 due January 31 (late by June 15).
Additional requirements
Complete online application, submit official transcripts, submit a required statement/writing sample (250-650 words), and pay the non-refundable application fee ($60 domestic / $75 graduate per apply page)
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 92.02/100, with 64% program completion rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 12 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.
# 13 position
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Master
Master of Science in Counseling and Rehabilitation Education
Delivery mode: campus
91.99
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Rehabilitation 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.
# 14 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.
# 15 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.
# 16 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.
# 17 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.
# 18 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.
# 19 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.
# 20 position
Northern Illinois University
Master
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.39
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025-26)
Application deadline
Fall/Summer: Feb 1; Spring: Sep 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or equivalent degree from a recognized foreign institution
Additional requirements
Graduate School application; unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate/graduate institutions (official required after admittance); personal goals statement; two letters of recommendation; pre-admission interview for qualified applicants
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Northern Illinois University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.39/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in Illinois
Do I need a master's degree to become a counselor in Illinois?
For the Illinois professional-counselor licensure path or school-counselor credential, plan on qualifying graduate education. A bachelor's degree may support related entry-level work but is not the same credential (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
Is CACREP accreditation required for every Illinois counseling job?
No single accreditation rule covers every counseling job. Check the requirements for your intended Illinois license or school credential, then verify any programmatic accreditation a school claims (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
Can I complete an Illinois counseling degree entirely online?
You may be able to take coursework online, but counseling programs typically include supervised fieldwork with clients or students. Ask how the school approves Illinois placements before enrolling (individual program disclosures).
Is school counseling the same as clinical mental health counseling?
No. They prepare students for different settings and credential pathways. Choose based on whether your goal is school-based student support or clinical counseling practice (Illinois State Board of Education; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Is a counseling master's worth the cost?
It can be if the program fits your target credential and you can complete its fieldwork at a manageable net cost. Compare debt, time away from work, likely completion time, and realistic jobs where you intend to live - not just the advertised tuition or a national median wage.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
CACREP - Directory of Accredited Programs Used to verify CACREP accreditation status of specific programs. https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
Counseling Compact - Participating States Verified professional/licensure/career reference. https://counselingcompact.org/
Eastern Illinois University - M.S. in Counseling - School Counseling Official program page (curriculum, tuition, admissions). https://www.eiu.edu/counseling/school.php
