Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Illinois
Counseling Schools Search
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“Contrary to media portrayals of miraculous overnight changes, real progress involves working alongside clients as they navigate their own journey of improvement.”
Ramon Diaz Jr., LPC, NCC, Well Mind Therapy Services (Joliet, Illinois)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025) predicts that job openings in mental health counseling will grow 19 percent nationally from 2023 to 2033. This growth rate is much faster than the average projected growth for all occupations during the same period (4 percent). And within that growth rate is also higher-than-average growth for specialized mental health careers.
For example, the BLS (2024) career outlook for school and career counselor jobs are expected to increase by 4 percent. On the other hand, rehabilitation counselors, who help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities, show a 2 percent rate of growth (2023-2033).
Illinois is a good choice for a location in which to develop a mental health career. According to Road to Recovery, Illinois has just under 13 million people. Out of those, more than 3 percent of adults live with serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression—that’s nearly 390,000 people living with conditions that require intervention or ongoing management.
Less than half (44.6 percent) of adults with mental illness in Illinois receive any form of treatment. According to Mental Health America, Illinois is ranked 9th out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. for providing access to mental health services.
There are two levels of mental health counseling degrees and licenses in Illinois. The Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association notes that no experience is required to become an (LPC) or licensed professional counselor in Illinois. To become an LCPC, or licensed clinical professional counselor, requires 3,360 hours of work over two years, along with 960 hours of face-to-face counseling over two years.
Illinois has specific educational requirements for licensure. Many aspiring LPCs first earn a bachelor’s degree in counseling or a social or behavioral science field such as psychology, social work, or human services. After completing the bachelor’s degree, they typically complete a master’s or doctorate program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The master’s program must meet the conditions described by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
Read on for schools in Illinois that offer counseling degrees and state licensing procedures in subfields of the discipline.
Online Counseling Programs Based in Illinois
Browse a complete listing of online counseling programs in Illinois, ranked by in-state (resident) tuition, from most affordable to least. Out-of-state students should refer to the non-resident tuition numbers.
These numbers reflect the estimated tuition cost of the entire program, calculated by multiplying the published per-credit tuition rate (for the latest academic year) by the total number of credits that must be completed.
Please click on any school of interest for a full-page school profile containing complete program details.
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| Northern Illinois University |
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Q&A with Expert: Ramon Diaz Jr., LPC, NCC, CCTS, CDBT, CADC
Ramon Diaz Jr. is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and national certified counselor (NCC) dedicated to providing compassionate and effective mental health care. With a robust specialization as a clinical complex trauma specialist (CCTS-1), Diaz has extensive experience in helping individuals navigate and heal from traumatic experiences. He is also a certified dialectical behavioral therapist (C-DBT) and a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor (CADC), bringing a comprehensive approach to treating a variety of mental health and substance use issues.
Diaz is affiliated with Well Mind Therapy Services in Joliet, Illinois, where he utilizes his diverse skill set to support clients in achieving their mental wellness goals. His commitment to advancing his expertise is reflected in his current pursuit of a PhD in neuropsychology and theoretical psychology. He is a proud child of an immigrant family from Mexico, who holds a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Adler University in Chicago.
CounselingSchools.com: What is something most people don’t know about being a licensed mental health counselor?
Diaz: Mental health counselors are licensed professionals who have the unique opportunity to support individuals experiencing acute symptoms from various mental health diagnoses and illnesses.
Contrary to media portrayals of miraculous overnight changes, real progress involves working alongside clients as they navigate their own journey of improvement. I consistently communicate with clients about understanding and defining what progress means for them personally.
CounselingSchools.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone interested in becoming a licensed mental health counselor?
Diaz : The work you do personally is just as crucial as the help you provide to your patients. One cannot be effective without the other. Research and literature highlight the importance of self-care for therapists, whether through meditation, self-care retreats, or their own therapy.
I consistently work with a therapist, engaging in activities that address personal triggers and emotional, mental, and physical well-being, including exercise and nutrition. My pursuit of a PhD in neuropsychology focuses partly on understanding the biological underpinnings of mental health issues, not only to support my work with families but also to manage the effects of stress and trauma on myself.
My partner, a nutritionist, and I frequently discuss the importance of a holistic approach in therapy. Health disparities are especially prevalent in underprivileged communities, like the Hispanic community I am part of.
Traditional Counseling Degree Programs in Illinois
Western Illinois University has two counseling programs: a school counseling program that prepares students to work in K-12 settings, and a clinical mental health counseling program that prepares students to work in various settings where people need mental healthcare.
Both of WIU’s counseling master’s programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Department of Counselor Education’s programs were the first counselor education program accredited in Illinois in 1987, and the counselor education programs at Western Illinois University are the longest continually accredited counseling programs in the State of Illinois.
Students achieve a master of science in education (MSEd) with a specialty in counseling, with either specialty within that. Both programs require a minimum of 60 semester hours, or they may select a specialization in clinical mental health counseling, which requires a minimum of 60 semester hours. Students should consult with their advisor regarding proper sequencing of courses and specialization in either option.
- Location: Moline, Illinois
- Duration: Three years, full-time
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Concordia University Chicago (Hybrid)
Concordia University Chicago is a private, liberal arts university with a Lutheran Christian outlook. Founded in 1864, the university is one of eight colleges and universities that are part of a nationwide Concordia University System.
Concordia’s clinical mental health counseling program teaches counseling through the lens of the Christian belief system. Classes here are offered as a hybrid model (online and on-campus classes), in a more traditional brick-and-mortar format at Concordia’s Grayslake campus.
- Location: Forest, Illinois
- Duration: Three years
- Accreditation: Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)
University of Illinois – Springfield
Students in the human development counseling program at the University of Illinois can choose from three tracks of study for their master of arts: clinical mental health counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; and school counseling. Choosing from these tracks requires an additional four courses beyond the core curriculum of 49 to 51 credit hours for a total of 61 to 65 required credits.
UIS was established in 1969 as a state university. In 1995 it became a campus of the University of Illinois. The campus is well-located—approximately 200 miles southwest of Chicago and 100 miles northeast of St. Louis.
- Location: Springfield, Illinois
- Duration: Three years
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Northern Illinois University – Department of Counseling and Higher Education
The masters of science in education from NIU requires a 100-hour supervised practicum and 600 hours of internship. The school reports strong student outcomes with nearly all graduating, passing their licensure exams, and finding employment after graduating.
The school prides itself on being accessible to working professionals, by offering classes in late afternoons and evenings. Most classes are offered at the main campus in DeKalb, but some classes may be offered at satellite campuses in Rockford, Naperville, and Hoffman Estates. Northern Illinois University has a long history; it was first chartered in 1895.
The clinical mental health counseling program graduated 13 students in 2023 with a 92 percent completion rate. 100 percent of the school’s clinical mental health students pass their licensure examination and 100 percent find job placement after graduation.
The school counseling program graduated 10 students in 2023 with a 90 percent completion rate. 100 percent of the school counseling students passed their licensure examination, and 198 percent found job placement after graduation. Because school counseling degree students are also eligible for mental health positions, graduates can also gain employment in non-school counseling positions.
- Location: DeKalb, Illinois
- Duration: Three years
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern’s Department of Counselor Education has been one of the leading providers of master’s of arts in counseling programs for more than 40 years, and one reason is the variety of programs they offer. Unlike other schools that may offer two or three program specializations, Northeastern offers six: a master’s of arts in clinical mental health counseling, couple and family counseling, school counseling, and rehabilitation counseling. They also offer an 18-credit certificate in couple and family counseling and a 21-credit addiction counseling certificate.
In addition, NIU offers a graduate certificate in trauma-informed counseling that meets the educational requirements of Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) certification standards, and a certificate in rehabilitation counseling for applicants who already possess a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or related fields.
The non-degree school counselor endorsement is an option open to individuals who have completed a graduate degree in counseling or a closely related field and are seeking to meet the academic and clinical requirements to be eligible for endorsement as a school counselor in Illinois.
For those who want to be in the biggest city in the state, Northeastern is well-located on the 67-acre main campus in an attractive area on Chicago’s northwest side. Northeastern prides itself on diversity and says it is regarded as the most diverse public comprehensive university in the Midwest. Additionally, Northeastern is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Duration: Two to three years, 48 (rehabilitation counseling) or 60 credits (CMHC, family, and school)
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-certified (CACREP)
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
Southern Illinois University is located five hours south of the big city of Chicago and is the largest in the Southern Illinois University system of schools. At the master’s level, SIU offers a master of science in education with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling. Graduates of the program may sit for the National Counseling Examination and may apply for licensure with the state of Illinois as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The program also prepares graduates to apply as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Supervised post-master’s degree clinical experience is required for licensure as a Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois (LCPC).
SIU has a Rehabilitation Institute that offers a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. This program is the oldest in the country and SIU says it has been continuously ranked among the top 5 percent of the nation’s rehabilitation education programs since its inception in the 1950s.
Most of SIU’s graduate-level courses are taught in the late afternoon and evenings, to be more accessible to working professionals seeking to upgrade their skills and education. In 2025, the program earned national recognition from U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Graduate School Rankings,” ranked 13th among the “Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs.”
- Location: Carbondale, Illinois
- Duration: 64 credits
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Bradley University, a top-ranked private, small university in Peoria, offers a traditional and an online model for their clinical mental health counseling program. Students may also choose to earn a masters in professional school counseling. Both degrees feature experiential learning via practicums and internships. Bradley University also offers a 12-credit certificate program that can be completed in one year.
The online master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling is a nine-term (including summers) progression of courses and a supervised practicum. During their final semester, students can take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam and the National Counselor Exam to become eligible for licensure. The program also involves two one-week residencies at the Bradley campus, which is three hours southwest of Chicago.
- Location: Peoria, Illinois
- Duration: Three years; one year for the certificate; 60 total credit hours
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Chicago State’s CACREP-certified counseling graduate program, part of the psychology department, offers a master of arts degree in counseling. Thanks to the clinical mental health counseling and school counseling tracks, program graduates are eligible to work as counselors in schools and various community settings. A certificate of endorsement in school counseling is available for students with a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field.
Chicago State was founded as a teacher training school in 1867. Today, the university is a fully accredited public institution located on 161 acres on Chicago’s Southside.
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Duration: Three years; one year for the certificate; 60 total credit hours
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
National Louis University (Online)
National Louis University’s completely online master of science in clinical mental health counseling program is designed for students who want a university experience but are unable to attend a traditional on-campus program. The school also offers a traditional on-campus clinical mental health counseling program for those who live in Illinois.
The online program is a distance learning format combining real-time instruction and online coursework. The program’s Live Virtual classroom sessions occur once weekly in the evening, usually 6 or 8 p.m. EST, to accommodate working students. Choose from a master of science in counseling, emphasizing school counseling or clinical mental health counseling. A school counseling emphasis is available for those with a professional educator license.
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Duration: Three years, 68 semester hours
- Accreditation: Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)
How Much Do Counselors Make in Illinois?
These numbers represent national and state data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2024—the latest data available as of July 2025.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 65,870 | 840 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $72,720 | $66,640 |
| 10th percentile | $42,610 | $50,210 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,780 | $60,140 |
| 90th percentile | $111,610 | $102,850 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 440,380 | 18,170 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $65,100 | $69,010 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $42,500 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,190 | $59,570 |
| 90th percentile | $98,210 | $107,630 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 342,350 | 12,790 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $71,520 | $69,870 |
| 10th percentile | $43,580 | $44,760 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,140 | $61,210 |
| 90th percentile | $105,870 | $109,110 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 88,930 | 4,080 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $51,260 | $52,440 |
| 10th percentile | $34,480 | $35,110 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,110 | $48,580 |
| 90th percentile | $77,200 | $74,930 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 33,340 | 1,420 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $58,070 | $55,140 |
| 10th percentile | $36,160 | $41,850 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,830 | $49,650 |
| 90th percentile | $91,420 | $75,430 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Illinois
- Illinois Counseling Association
- Illinois School Counselor Association
- American Counseling Association – Midwest Region
- Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association
- Schultz Foundation For Advancing Counseling
- Illinois Association for Couples and Family Counseling
- Northern Illinois University Counseling Association
Mental Health Counseling Licenses in Illinois
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation | Counselors must earn a license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), who must work under supervision, and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), who can work independently, in order to practice in Illinois. Requirements for licensure as an LPC are:
In order to become an LCPC, candidates must meet the above requirements and:
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Counseling licenses in Illinois expire every two years on the 31st of March of odd-numbered years. Applicants must complete 30 hours of continuing education in order to renew. |
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterRachel Drummond has used her expertise in education and mindfulness to guide aspiring counselors since 2020. Her work emphasizes the importance of integrating reflective mindfulness into counseling techniques, helping readers understand how mental and physical well-being can enhance their professional practice and personal development in counseling.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.
Vanessa Salvia
WriterVanessa Salvia is an Oregon-based freelance writer and editor with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. As fun as rigorous studies in math and science were, Vanessa took an independent path and developed a prolific career covering lifestyle and healthcare topics for magazines and newspapers, important industries such as concrete construction and building waterproofing, and even hard science. You can get in touch at Sage Media and Marketing.