Choosing a Wisconsin counseling master's means choosing a career path, not just a campus: the degree that prepares you for school counseling may not meet your goals for clinical practice. This guide compares program focus, licensure considerations, costs, training formats, and career prospects so you can narrow your options before applying. It also features the 2027 Best Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Wisconsin, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Wisconsin
Match the degree to the credential first. Wisconsin clinical professional counselor licensure and school counselor licensing follow different state pathways; a program's name alone does not establish eligibility (Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services; Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction).
Compare outcomes by occupation. The U.S. median annual wage was $59,350 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in May 2025; BLS projects 18% national employment growth from 2025 to 2035. Neither figure predicts an individual Wisconsin graduate's earnings or job prospects (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Compare the full investment. Published tuition excludes some fees, travel to placements, and earnings forgone during training. Request a written total-cost and field-placement estimate before choosing between public, private nonprofit, online, and campus options.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Wisconsin?
A counseling master's combines assessment, counseling theory, ethics, and supervised work with clients or students. The most important distinction is intended practice setting: clinical mental health programs prepare students for behavioral health work, school counseling programs target school-based roles, and clinical rehabilitation programs emphasize disability, adjustment, and rehabilitation services.
These are not interchangeable credentials. Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) oversees professional counselor licensing, while the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) governs school counselor licensing. Admission and graduation are separate from satisfying a state's education, examination, supervised-experience, and application requirements. Ask a program to identify the specific Wisconsin credential its curriculum is designed to support - and what graduates must do afterward (Wisconsin DSPS; Wisconsin DPI).
This degree makes the most sense if you want counseling to be a substantial part of your work and can accommodate supervised training. If your goal is primarily research, social work, or a nonclinical student-services position, compare the relevant degree and credential before committing to a counseling curriculum.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Wisconsin?
Clinical graduates may pursue roles in community mental health agencies, health systems, substance-use treatment programs, or private practice when their credentials permit it. School counseling graduates generally target public or private schools; rehabilitation-focused graduates may consider disability services, rehabilitation organizations, or health care settings. Employer requirements vary, and independent clinical practice involves additional licensing steps (Wisconsin DSPS; Wisconsin DPI).
Location affects training as well as employment. A placement near a Milwaukee-area campus may offer a different commute and employer mix from one serving a smaller community. If you plan to remain in a particular part of Wisconsin, ask where recent students completed placements and whether the program can support an approved site near you. A remote class schedule does not remove the need for supervised, in-person work.
Pay depends on the occupation, employer, experience, and license - not the master's degree alone. The table uses national U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, not Wisconsin starting-salary estimates. Its May 2025 wage reference period differs from its 2025-2035 employment projection period; use the figures to compare paths, then investigate local openings and pay for the roles you actually want.
Career direction
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
Projected U.S. job growth, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
18%
School counseling
$64,330
3%
Clinical rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
2%
These BLS occupational figures describe workers in broad job categories, including people at different career stages. They are not program outcomes. For a realistic return-on-investment estimate, compare likely entry-level offers in your preferred Wisconsin setting with your current earnings, expected borrowing, and the time needed to complete the degree and any post-degree requirements.
The programs below differ most usefully by the work they prepare students to pursue and where they make training feasible. Program pages describe academic offerings, not guaranteed licensure or employment; verify current curriculum, accreditation status, placement arrangements, and state eligibility with the school before applying.
University of Wisconsin-Stout, clinical mental health counseling: This is a clinical mental health option at a public university in Menomonie (UW-Stout program information). It merits a close look if you want to train near western Wisconsin and can confirm suitable local placements and your intended DSPS pathway.
Mount Mary University, counseling: Mount Mary offers a counseling master's in Milwaukee, providing a private nonprofit alternative to the public-university options in this set (Mount Mary University program information). Compare its specific pathway and net cost with nearby clinical programs rather than assuming institution type determines value.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, school counseling: This is the Oshkosh option explicitly focused on school counseling rather than clinical practice (UW-Oshkosh program information). It fits applicants whose intended credential and daily work are school-based; ask how its supervised school experiences align with DPI requirements.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, school counseling emphasis: The graduate catalog identifies school counseling as an emphasis within its counseling master's (UW-Whitewater graduate catalog). That structure is worth examining if you want to understand precisely which courses and field experiences belong to the school pathway.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, clinical mental health counseling: Its clinical offering gives Oshkosh-area applicants a different professional direction from the university's school counseling option (UW-Oshkosh program information). Compare their credential targets before applying; proximity alone cannot make one substitute for the other.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, counseling: The department presents counseling offerings alongside the separately documented school emphasis (UW-Whitewater counseling information and graduate catalog). Applicants interested in a non-school pathway should request the current track-specific plan of study rather than relying on the general degree title.
Marquette University, clinical mental health counseling: Marquette provides a Milwaukee-based clinical mental health route at a private nonprofit university (Marquette University program information). For students considering Milwaukee clinical programs, its most consequential comparison is the net cost and suitability of its supervised-training arrangements - not institutional reputation alone.
Viterbo University, mental health counseling: Viterbo's Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling adds a La Crosse-based choice to the clinical options (Viterbo University program information). It is particularly relevant if remaining in that area makes coursework and field placement more manageable; confirm the current delivery and placement requirements.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls, school counseling: This program explicitly targets school counseling in the River Falls area (UW-River Falls program information). Compare its school-placement geography with the Oshkosh and Whitewater options if you hope to build professional connections near your intended workplace.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, clinical rehabilitation counseling: Its named clinical rehabilitation counseling master's offers a distinct disability- and rehabilitation-oriented direction within this group (UW-Madison Graduate Guide). Choose it for that professional focus, not as an assumed equivalent of a general clinical mental health or school counseling degree.
Use these differences to narrow your list, then request current program-level evidence: completion information, placement support, applicable exam outcomes, and a written explanation of how the curriculum supports your intended credential. Students who want another view of demand can also compare the most popular counseling programs; popularity does not establish fit.
Plan on roughly two to three years of full-time study for a counseling master's; part-time enrollment can take longer. Your actual timeline depends on the program's course sequence, required supervised experiences, placement availability, and whether courses run in summer. Ask for a term-by-term plan built around your expected enrollment status rather than treating an advertised minimum as your likely finish date.
Graduation may not be the end of the timeline. Someone pursuing Wisconsin professional counselor licensure should separately account for the board's applicable post-degree requirements, while an aspiring school counselor should check DPI's credential requirements (Wisconsin DSPS; Wisconsin DPI). An accelerated academic schedule has limited value if it creates an unmanageable placement load or does not serve the intended license.
Online study can reduce routine travel and help a working adult stay employed. Campus study may make scheduled instruction and access to nearby placement networks easier. Neither format removes the need to complete required supervised experiences, and an online program based outside Wisconsin does not automatically meet Wisconsin credential requirements (Wisconsin DSPS; Wisconsin DPI).
Before choosing online, ask who approves placement sites, whether you must find your own supervisor, where any in-person intensives occur, and which state's requirements the program has evaluated. Compare those answers with a campus program's commute and course schedule. The better format is the one you can complete and use toward your intended credential - not simply the one with fewer trips to class.
There is no single reliable price for every Wisconsin counseling master's: public-university resident rates, nonresident rates, private nonprofit tuition, credit requirements, and fees differ. A statewide average would be a poor substitute for the actual cost of your shortlisted programs. Check each school's current graduate tuition schedule and program requirements, then calculate tuition and mandatory fees across the full plan of study (institutional tuition schedules; NCES/IPEDS).
Add books, technology charges, travel to supervised sites, and any reduced earnings while training. Ask whether an in-state rate applies to you; never infer residency from living nearby. Compare net cost after confirmed aid and expected borrowing, not just price per credit. The most affordable counseling programs can help form a cost-focused shortlist, but a lower sticker price may not mean lower total cost if completion takes longer or placements require extensive travel.
Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and each school's graduate-aid application. Eligible students may be able to use federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans; institutions may also offer assistantships, scholarships, or tuition benefits, subject to their own rules. Ask whether funding covers the entire program or must be renewed, and whether a paid placement is permitted under the program's training requirements (Federal Student Aid; individual institutions).
Do not build a 2027 financing plan around automatic Graduate PLUS access. Federal changes generally end new Graduate PLUS borrowing for students beginning graduate programs on or after July 1, 2026. A limited transition may apply to eligible students who were already enrolled and had received a Direct Loan for the same program before that date; confirm your circumstances and the applicable transition period with Federal Student Aid and the school's financial-aid office (Federal Student Aid). If loan access leaves a gap, compare an employer contribution, a lower-cost program, or a manageable part-time schedule before enrolling.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
86-87
1
88-89
1
90-91
3
92-93
3
94-95
2
Programs typically expect a completed bachelor's degree and an application that demonstrates readiness for graduate study and client- or student-facing work. Individual schools may specify prerequisite coursework, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or other conditions; check the current admissions page rather than assuming requirements are uniform (institutional admissions information).
Before paying an application fee, ask two separate questions: "Do I meet admissions requirements?" and "If admitted, does this particular curriculum support the Wisconsin credential I want?" If you have graduate coursework already, request a written transfer-credit evaluation. Credits accepted toward a degree do not necessarily replace required supervised training or satisfy a licensing authority (Wisconsin DSPS; Wisconsin DPI).
Expect work in counseling skills and theory, human development, ethics, assessment, research, and culturally responsive practice, followed by supervised practical training. Clinical mental health curricula address behavioral health assessment and treatment; school counseling curricula center on students and school systems; clinical rehabilitation curricula add a disability and rehabilitation focus (institutional program curricula).
Course titles are less informative than the approved plan of study. Request the catalog requirements for your admission year, identify when fieldwork begins, and ask which courses are prerequisites for placement. That check can reveal whether a seemingly flexible program has a fixed sequence that affects your work schedule or graduation date.
The clearest choices among the featured Wisconsin programs are clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and clinical rehabilitation counseling (featured institutions' program information). Pick among them by intended work and credential, not by which title sounds broadest. Someone seeking to counsel students in schools should examine a DPI-aligned school pathway; someone seeking clinical practice should investigate DSPS requirements; and someone drawn to disability-related services should examine rehabilitation training and employer expectations (Wisconsin DPI; Wisconsin DSPS).
Interests such as addiction or work with couples may be developed through electives, placements, or later training, but their availability varies. Ask what supervised experience the program can actually arrange in your area. A concentration is useful only if its coursework and placements advance your specific career plan.
Start with the credential and workplace you want, then compare only programs that plausibly lead toward that goal. For each finalist, get direct answers to these questions:
Which Wisconsin license or school credential is this exact degree designed to support, and what steps remain after graduation?
What is the program's current accreditation status, and does the applicable licensing authority or employer require a particular accreditation?
What will the full degree cost after confirmed aid, including fees and expected placement travel?
Who arranges and approves supervised sites, and can a student complete one near the intended home or workplace?
What are the current completion and, where applicable, exam outcomes for this specific program and reporting period?
Verify institutional accreditation and any claimed CACREP programmatic status with the relevant accreditor, and check credential eligibility with Wisconsin DSPS or DPI; these are separate questions. The common mistake is selecting by rank, tuition, or "online" label before resolving them (CACREP; Wisconsin DSPS; Wisconsin DPI).
Finally, evaluate return on investment over a realistic time horizon: include your current earnings, expected earnings after the required credentials, completion probability, time out of work, net price, borrowing costs, and the value of money over time. The most valuable counseling programs offer another comparison, but your own costs and career goal should determine the decision.
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
A clinical mental health pathway can lead toward agency-based counseling and, after meeting applicable requirements, licensed practice. A school counseling pathway targets work with students and school communities. Clinical rehabilitation counseling points toward services involving disability, adjustment, and rehabilitation. Addiction-focused work may be another option, but job duties and required credentials depend on the employer and position (Wisconsin DSPS; Wisconsin DPI; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
The degree may also support later supervision, teaching, or doctoral study, but those are additional career stages rather than automatic outcomes. If you are changing careers, compare entry-level openings - not just senior practitioners' job titles - and ask programs where graduates with your intended specialization have gone.
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by counseling career path (U.S., BLS May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Psychologists
99,110
Postsecondary Teachers
85,330
Marriage & Family Therapists
66,940
School & Career Counselors
64,330
Mental Health Counselors
59,350
Rehabilitation Counselors
46,850
The national outlook differs sharply by specialty: BLS projects 18% growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors from 2025 to 2035, versus 3% for school and career counselors and advisors over the same period (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). That makes clinical counseling worth investigating for applicants who want a broader behavioral health job search, but national growth is not a forecast of vacancies in a particular Wisconsin community.
For a local check, review current postings in the Wisconsin areas where you would accept a job. Note the required license, experience level, schedule, and whether employers accept applicants working toward full credentials. Then compare those requirements with each program's curriculum and placement support. This is especially important if you cannot relocate: a suitable nearby training site and a plausible local first job may matter more than a national growth figure.
2027 Best Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Wisconsin
Investing in graduate education is a consequential decision, so Research.com designed this ranking to help readers compare more than reputation alone. Its team evaluates available program and institutional evidence, including outcomes, accreditation, eligibility for federal aid, and cost. Readers can use the ranking as a starting point, then confirm current program details directly with each school.
The Best ranking first combines program completion, weighted at 40%; employment or doctoral admission, 20%; applicable licensure exam pass rates, 20%; CACREP programmatic accreditation, 16%; and institutional Title IV eligibility, 4%. Weights are adjusted when a criterion does not apply. Program cost contributes a smaller component - about 7% of the final score. The same approach applies to online and on-campus programs; rankings named for another dimension order programs by that dimension instead.
No composite score can establish that a particular degree meets your intended license requirements or fits your budget. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, and see Research.com's methodology for more information about how its rankings are created.
# 1 position
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Master
M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
95.48
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Typically 2 years (about 80% of students); completion deadline: 7 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
24.71%
Program completion rate
100% (2026)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Feb 1 (Summer/Fall admission); Oct 1 (Spring admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Application materials reviewed on GPA, coursework and transcripts, and experience working with others (paid or volunteer); applicants invited to interview must participate in a required on-campus group interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Wisconsin-Stout earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.48/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 2 position
Mount Mary University
Master
M.S. in Professional Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
95.14
/ 100
Final score
Program length
accelerated 2-year option
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2025)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025)
Licensure exam pass rate
95% (2025)
Application deadline
March 1
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE or MAT required as evidence if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, unless a 3.0 GPA in the final 60 credits or in post-baccalaureate coursework is shown
Prerequisites
Regionally accredited bachelor's; 18 credits in human development, education, psychology, sociology, social work or communications (undergraduate statistics preferred); 3.0 GPA or equivalent evidence (e.g., GRE, MAT, 3.0 in final 60 credits).
Additional requirements
Online Graduate Student Application, nonrefundable application fee (waived for Mount Mary alumni), official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Mount Mary University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.14/100, supported by 95% licensure exam pass rate and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 3 position
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Master
M.S.E. School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
92.98
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
January 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university or college; counseling related experience preferred
Additional requirements
Criminal background check, two letters of reference and reference form, official undergraduate transcripts, current resume, application supplement, disclosure statement, individual and group interview with faculty and students.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.98/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 4 position
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Master
M.S. in Counseling, School Counseling Emphasis
Delivery mode: campus
92.16
/ 100
Final score
Program length
As little as 3 years full-time, or as many as 7 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
67% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Summer/Fall 2027: Feb 1, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Behavioral science background with at least 9 credits relevant to the helping profession; statistics, abnormal psychology, and human development must be completed before coursework beyond the first nine credits.
Additional requirements
Cover letter, resume, personal statement (autobiography, career goals, ability to cope with ambiguity, ability to cope with transitions/change), two references, and completion of a background check through ViewPoint; interview required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.16/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 67% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 5 position
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Master
MSE: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
92.05
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
January 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university or college; counseling related experience preferred
Additional requirements
Application fee; criminal background check; two references; official undergraduate transcripts; resume; application supplement; disclosure statement; individual and group on-campus interview with faculty and students.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.05/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 6 position
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Master
M.S. in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
91.66
/ 100
Final score
Program length
As little as 3 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
80% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025)
Application deadline
Summer/Fall 2027: Feb 1, 2027
Application process
direct (UW-Whitewater Graduate School application portal)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Minimum of 9 credits relevant to the helping profession (e.g., human development, psychology, education, research/statistics); statistics, abnormal psychology and human development courses required early in the program.
Additional requirements
Cover letter, resume, four-section personal statement, documentation of prerequisite courses, two references, background check (ViewPoint), interview
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.66/100, supported by 80% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 7 position
Marquette University
Master
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
90.51
/ 100
Final score
Program length
21 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: February 1 priority; rolling thereafter as space permits until August 1 (June 1 for international applicants).
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent before entry. No prerequisite courses; human-service experience is recommended.
Additional requirements
Online application and fee; transcripts; three recommendations; purpose statement; resume/CV; optional GRE; English proficiency for international applicants; faculty interview for selected applicants.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Marquette University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 90.51/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 8 position
Viterbo University
Master
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
90.13
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
80% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (typically in a human service or social science field) plus general psychology and research methods/statistics. Applicants missing prerequisites may be conditionally admitted with a completion plan.
Additional requirements
Online application with personal statement (about 500 words), two recommendations, and official transcripts; English proficiency scores for non-native speakers; explanatory letter if GPA is below 3.0; personal interview for qualified applicants. Background check required before practicum/internship.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Viterbo University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 90.13/100, supported by 80% licensure exam pass rate and 90% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 9 position
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Master
School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
89.93
/ 100
Final score
Program length
minimum time to complete the degree successfully is two years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
86% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
93% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
87% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: Aug 10; Spring: Dec 1
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Additional requirements
Online UW System application and $56 fee, resume, letter of interest, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts from undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) institutions; GRE optional.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Wisconsin-River Falls earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 89.93/100, supported by 87% licensure exam pass rate and 86% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 10 position
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Master
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, MS
Delivery mode: campus
86.54
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
86% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
77.8% (2025)
Application deadline
Fall: February 15
Application process
direct (UW-Madison Graduate School online application)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Meet Graduate School minimum requirements; 3 letters of recommendation; GRE not required. Admissions committee considers relevance of prior academic work, career goals, employment history, and writing and research skill.
Additional requirements
3 letters of recommendation; Graduate School minimum requirements; statement of goals, employment history, writing evidence; application fee $75
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Wisconsin-Madison earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.54/100, supported by 86% program completion rate and 77.8% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in Wisconsin
Does a counseling master's automatically qualify me for a Wisconsin license?
No. Graduation, any required supervised experience and examination, and state approval are distinct steps. Check the exact credential with Wisconsin DSPS for professional counseling or DPI for school counseling.
Is CACREP accreditation required for every Wisconsin counseling job?
Do not assume so. Check current board or employer requirements for your intended role, and verify a program's claimed CACREP status directly with the accreditor (CACREP; Wisconsin DSPS; Wisconsin DPI).
Can I complete a Wisconsin counseling master's entirely online?
Some coursework may be online, but counseling degrees require supervised practical training. Confirm in-person obligations, placement approval, and Wisconsin credential alignment with the program before enrolling.
How long should I budget for the degree?
Roughly two to three years of full-time study is a useful planning range; part-time study can take longer. Request the school's schedule for your track and account separately for any post-degree licensing steps.
Is a school counseling degree the same as a clinical mental health counseling degree?
No. They prepare students for different work and potentially different Wisconsin credentials. Choose based on whether you intend to work in schools or pursue clinical behavioral health practice (Wisconsin DPI; Wisconsin DSPS).
How can I tell whether the degree is worth the cost?
Compare the complete net cost and likely debt with your current earnings, realistic first-job opportunities, time to credentialing, and ability to finish. A national median salary or a ranking position alone cannot establish your personal return.
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