Choosing a counseling master's program in Illinois means choosing a path toward a specific credential - not simply a campus or an online format. A school counseling degree and a clinical mental health counseling degree can lead to different jobs and state requirements. This guide pairs a 2027 Best Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Illinois, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering, with practical comparisons of licensure fit, costs, training, and career prospects.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Illinois
Match the degree to the credential first: Illinois clinical counseling licensure and the school counselor Professional Educator License follow different state processes; a master's degree alone grants neither (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
Use salary figures as occupation benchmarks, not graduate promises: the U.S. median was $59,350 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors and $64,330 for school and career counselors and advisors in May 2025 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Demand differs by path: U.S. employment is projected to grow 18% for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors versus 3% for school and career counselors and advisors from 2025 to 2035. That makes specialization - and the placements that support it - a consequential choice (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Illinois?
A counseling master's combines study of human development and assessment with supervised practice. The central choice is between clinical mental health counseling, generally aimed at counseling clients in healthcare and community settings, and school counseling, aimed at supporting students in schools. Marriage and family, addiction, and rehabilitation counseling may require different coursework or credentials. An Illinois program's title is a starting clue, not proof that it meets every requirement for your intended role (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
Expect skills practice, ethical decision-making, multicultural counseling, and fieldwork with real clients or students under supervision. If your goal is clinical practice, ask how coursework and placement prepare you for Illinois professional counselor licensure. If your goal is a public-school role, ask whether the specific track is designed for the Illinois school counselor Professional Educator License, or PEL. Someone primarily interested in research, policy, or a noncounseling school role may find a different degree better suited to the job.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Illinois?
Clinical counseling graduates may seek roles in community mental health organizations, hospitals, outpatient practices, or substance-use treatment programs. School counseling graduates may work in public or private schools, subject to the employer's and state's credential rules. Rehabilitation-focused graduates may consider disability services and vocational rehabilitation (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Illinois State Board of Education).
Location affects the value of a placement. A Chicago-area program may offer access to a wider range of potential agency and school sites, while a program elsewhere in the state may better support someone planning to remain in that community. Neither location guarantees a placement or job. Ask where recent students completed fieldwork, whether sites were accessible without relocating, and who arranges supervision.
Pay depends on the occupation, employer, experience, and credential - not the degree title alone. The table uses national occupational medians from May 2025 and national employment projections for 2025-2035; it does not estimate what an Illinois graduate will earn (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections).
Career direction
U.S. median annual pay, May 2025
Projected U.S. growth, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
18%
School and career counseling
$64,330
3%
Marriage and family counseling
$66,940
14%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
2%
A higher occupational median does not automatically make one master's the better investment. Compare likely entry-level opportunities and your current earnings with tuition, borrowing, time away from work, and any supervised experience needed after graduation. National medians also conceal differences among Illinois employers and locations.
The programs differ most meaningfully by intended credential, curriculum, setting, and delivery. These distinctions are more useful for building a shortlist than treating every counseling master's as interchangeable; confirm current requirements and field-placement arrangements directly with each program.
Eastern Illinois University: Its school counseling program centers the school-based route rather than clinical mental health practice. It is a sensible comparison point for applicants committed to working with students; ask how its fieldwork and curriculum align with Illinois PEL requirements (Eastern Illinois University).
Roosevelt University: Its MA is specifically in school counseling. For a prospective student seeking a school placement in the Chicago area, the key distinction to investigate is access to suitable supervised sites - not an assumption that a city location alone secures one (Roosevelt University).
Lewis University: Its catalog identifies a master's in clinical mental health counseling, making it a more direct curriculum comparison for prospective clinical practitioners than the school-counseling degrees here. Review its published course sequence against Illinois licensure education requirements before committing (Lewis University graduate catalog).
Chicago State University: Its school counseling pathway offers another school-focused option in Chicago. Compare its admission and placement arrangements with Roosevelt's if remaining in the city matters to your work or family commitments (Chicago State University).
Northwestern University: Its counseling program warrants particular attention from applicants weighing delivery flexibility against clinical training. Confirm the current format, any in-person commitments, and how supervised placements are secured where you intend to live; online coursework does not make fieldwork optional (Northwestern University Graduate School).
Governors State University: Its counseling MA is worth examining if you are still comparing counseling career directions. Select a track by the credential it is intended to support, then verify that track's coursework and placement requirements rather than assuming every option within the MA leads to the same license (Governors State University).
Wheaton College: Its MA in clinical mental health counseling may particularly interest applicants who want to evaluate how the program's faith-informed setting fits their approach to client care. Ask how training prepares students to serve clients with different beliefs while meeting professional ethics and Illinois credential requirements (Wheaton College Graduate School).
University of Illinois Springfield: Its school counseling concentration sits within an MA in Human Development Counseling. That structure makes the concentration - not just the broader degree name - the essential unit to check for school-based coursework, fieldwork, and PEL preparation (University of Illinois Springfield).
Program descriptions are not outcome comparisons. Before selecting among these options, request current completion, placement, and applicable exam results with their reporting periods and definitions.
A full-time counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time study takes longer. The relevant schedule is the one for your chosen track, including practicum and internship terms - not merely the advertised classroom timeline. Course sequencing and placement availability can extend completion even when a student has finished most academic requirements (American Counseling Association; individual program catalogs).
Ask for a term-by-term plan showing when fieldwork begins and whether it can coexist with your job. An accelerated schedule may reduce time away from higher-paid work, but it is a poor bargain if required daytime placements make continued employment unrealistic. Conversely, part-time enrollment can protect income while extending living costs and delaying entry into credentialed roles.
Online programs can reduce commuting or relocation, but counseling skills training and supervised fieldwork still require real-time participation and approved practice sites. Campus programs may simplify access to faculty and local professional networks, yet commuting and fixed class times can be costly for working adults. Neither format is inherently more eligible for Illinois licensure; the curriculum and credential requirements matter (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
For an online program based outside Illinois, obtain written confirmation of which Illinois educational requirements it is designed to meet and how it supports an Illinois placement. For a campus program, compare total travel time and the location of internships, which may differ from the classroom location. Research.com's most popular counseling programs can broaden a search, but popularity should not substitute for a format and licensure check.
There is no single statewide average that reliably describes the total price of an Illinois counseling master's: published graduate tuition is often institution-wide, while program credits, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs vary. An institution's graduate tuition figure is therefore a screening tool, not a program-specific bill (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS). Request each school's current tuition and required-fee schedule for the exact track and entry term.
To compare offers, calculate required credits multiplied by your applicable per-credit tuition, then add mandatory fees, books, travel, and any placement-related expenses. Check whether a public university charges a different rate based on residency or delivery format. Divide the net amount you would need to borrow by the career benefit you reasonably expect - not a national median salary treated as a personal guarantee. Research.com's most affordable counseling programs can help identify options to price in detail.
Start with the FAFSA and each school's graduate aid office. Depending on eligibility and availability, funding may include federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, assistantships, institutional scholarships, employer tuition assistance, and state or workforce programs that expressly cover graduate study. Do not assume an Illinois undergraduate grant also applies to a master's; verify the award's rules with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or administering agency (Federal Student Aid; Illinois Student Assistance Commission).
Federal Graduate PLUS rules are especially important for a 2027 applicant. New graduate borrowers generally cannot rely on Graduate PLUS for programs beginning after July 1, 2026. Limited transitional eligibility may remain for students who received a Graduate PLUS Loan for the same program before that date, subject to federal time limits and other conditions. Confirm your individual eligibility with Federal Student Aid and the school before using PLUS borrowing to close a funding gap (Federal Student Aid).
Compare written aid offers by net cost and borrowing required, not scholarship amount alone. Ask whether assistantship work conflicts with practicum hours and whether an award renews during internship terms.
View the chart data as a table
Pay vs projected growth by counseling career path (U.S., BLS) (Source: BLS)
Name
Median annual wage (USD/year)
Projected growth (%)
Mental Health Counselors
59,350
18
School & Career Counselors
64,330
3
Rehabilitation Counselors
46,850
2
Marriage & Family Therapists
66,940
14
Psychologists
99,110
6
Postsecondary Teachers
85,330
7
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree; programs may also require transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or specified prior coursework. Psychology or education experience can help an applicant explain career fit, but do not assume either major is universally required. Requirements belong to the individual program and track (individual Illinois university admissions and program pages).
Before paying an application fee, check whether the school admits students directly to your desired concentration, accepts relevant prior graduate credits, and has prerequisites that would add time or cost. Transfer credit is particularly important for career changers: acceptance of a course by a university does not necessarily mean it satisfies a specific licensing-content requirement. Request a written evaluation where possible.
Core study commonly includes counseling theories, helping relationships, human growth and development, group counseling, assessment, research, ethics, and multicultural counseling. Clinical tracks may add diagnosis and treatment-focused work; school tracks emphasize counseling in educational settings and student support. Supervised practicum and internship turn those subjects into assessed professional practice (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; individual program catalogs).
Course titles alone are not enough for a licensure decision. Obtain the current catalog and ask a program adviser to map required courses and fieldwork to the Illinois credential you want. This is especially useful when comparing a broadly named counseling MA with a clearly labeled school or clinical concentration.
The most consequential distinction in this program set is school counseling versus clinical mental health counseling. Other counseling study may focus on couples and families, addiction, or rehabilitation, but availability and credential alignment vary by school. A concentration is not an additional state license by itself (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
Choose backward from the setting and clients you want to serve. If you want to support students as a school counselor, investigate PEL-oriented school counseling. If you want to provide clinical services in community or healthcare settings, investigate clinical preparation and the Illinois LPC-to-LCPC pathway. If both appeal to you, ask whether switching tracks would require extra coursework or a different placement before assuming one degree keeps both options open.
The best fit is the program that meets your intended credential requirements at a manageable total cost and with a realistic route through fieldwork. Rankings can narrow the search; they cannot determine whether a particular placement schedule or curriculum works for you. Use the following checks before accepting an offer:
Define the destination: name the Illinois job and credential you want, then compare its requirements with the exact track - not just the school's counseling department (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois State Board of Education).
Verify recognition and outcomes: check the institution's accreditation and any claimed CACREP program accreditation directly with the relevant accreditor; request dated, program-level completion and applicable exam results (U.S. Department of Education; CACREP).
Test the fieldwork plan: ask who finds placements, where recent students trained, what supervision is provided, and whether your work schedule is feasible.
Compare full financial scenarios: include aid, expected debt, foregone earnings, completion likelihood, earnings before and after the degree, and the years over which benefits might accrue. A shorter or cheaper program does not automatically produce better value.
A common mistake is treating institutional prestige or a low advertised tuition rate as proof of return on investment. If a program cannot clearly explain its credential alignment or total required costs, pause before enrolling. Research.com's most valuable counseling programs offer another comparison point, not a replacement for your own cost and career calculation.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
82-83
1
84-85
2
86-87
3
88-89
2
90-91
11
92-93
8
94-95
3
A graduate's route depends on specialization and credentials. School counseling is a route into student support roles that require the appropriate school credential. Clinical mental health counseling can lead toward agency or other clinical work, with independent clinical practice requiring additional state steps. Addiction, family-focused, and rehabilitation work may involve different employer expectations or credentials (Illinois State Board of Education; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
In Illinois, distinguish degree completion from licensure. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation administers professional counselor credentials, including LPC and LCPC; the Illinois State Board of Education administers the school counselor PEL. Additional supervised experience and examinations may apply to the credential sought. Ask employers and the appropriate state authority which credential a target position requires before selecting a track.
View the chart data as a table
Programs by specialization (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
17
School Counseling
7
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
3
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
2
Rehabilitation Counseling
1
National projections suggest stronger growth in substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling than in school and career counseling over 2025-2035. Those projections describe U.S. occupations, not the number of Illinois vacancies or the odds that a particular graduate will be hired (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections). They are a reason to investigate the clinical market - not a reason to abandon school counseling if schools are where you want to work.
Evaluate demand where you expect to live. Compare recent postings across your preferred Illinois communities, noting required credentials, supervised-experience expectations, work hours, and whether employers will consider a newly licensed applicant. Then ask programs about placements and recent graduate destinations in those same areas. That local check is more actionable than applying a national growth figure to every Illinois city or rural community.
2027 Best Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Illinois
Investing in a master's degree is a consequential decision. Research.com developed this ranking to help readers compare programs on more than reputation, using education and outcomes data and checking the measures against each program's applicable requirements. The ranking draws on these sources:
IPEDS database - institutional information, including enrollment, completions, and reported costs.
Peterson's database - program and institution information used in school comparisons.
For the Best ranking, Research.com first combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), applicable licensure-exam pass rates (20%), applicable CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and institutional Title IV eligibility (4%). Weights are renormalized when a criterion does not apply. Program cost then contributes a smaller share - about 7% - of the final score. The method applies to both online and campus programs; rankings named for another dimension order programs by that dimension instead. These measures help narrow a shortlist, but readers should still confirm current tuition, accreditation, and credential eligibility with each school. More detail is available in Research.com's methodology.
# 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
Does a counseling master's automatically qualify me to practice independently in Illinois?
No. Education, examinations, supervised experience, and the applicable state credential are separate requirements. Confirm the LPC or LCPC route with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Do I need a school counseling degree to work as an Illinois public-school counselor?
You need to meet the Illinois State Board of Education's requirements for the school counselor Professional Educator License. Ask whether the specific master's track is designed to meet them; a clinical counseling degree is not automatically equivalent.
Is CACREP accreditation required for every Illinois counseling job?
Do not assume that it is. CACREP is programmatic accreditation, distinct from institutional accreditation and state licensure. Check your intended credential's current rules and any employer preferences before deciding how much weight to give it (CACREP; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Can I earn an Illinois counseling master's online?
Coursework may be available online, but supervised fieldwork remains part of professional preparation. Confirm current delivery details, placement support, and Illinois credential alignment with the program and state authority.
How do I tell whether the degree is worth the cost?
Compare the full net price and likely borrowing with your current earnings, realistic target jobs, time to finish, placement requirements, and any post-degree credential steps. Use occupational salaries as context, not a forecast of your own pay.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
Eastern Illinois University - M.S. in Counseling - School Counseling Official program page (curriculum, tuition, admissions). https://www.eiu.edu/counseling/school.php
