Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Wisconsin
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“The main thing I would wish for the public to understand about mental health counselors is that it is their job to understand and see you as a person—not your diagnosis.”
Stephanie Larsen, LCPC, Sex Therapist and Licensed Psychotherapist
Pursuing a counseling career in the state of Wisconsin can be a rewarding professional choice. The state of Wisconsin features a number of accredited masters level counseling degree programs including several offered through schools within the University of Wisconsin system.
According to Mental Health America, Wisconsin currently ranks well in terms of outcomes for both adults and youth. In comparison to other states, Wisconsin also rates well in terms of the prevalence of mental illness as well as care access. Despite these positive metrics, Wisconsin’s mental health system does feature some significant issues. For example, a Wisconsin behavioral health system gaps report issued in 2019 noted significant gaps in issues such as integrated mental health services, medication management, and crisis intervention and stabilization services.
Wisconsin will continue to need newly trained mental health care professionals not just to accommodate for workforce attrition but also to address pressing issues such as the lasting mental health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on both youth and adults, as well as the state-level implications of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling overturning a woman’s right to an abortion.
Read on to discover how to join various counseling careers in Wisconsin, including detailed information about academic programs and licensing.
Ask an Expert: Stephanie Larsen, LCPC, CST, E-RYT
Stephanie Larsen is a seasoned psychotherapist, sex therapist, couples therapist, yoga instructor, and workplace coach. Her mission is to break down difficult-to-understand relational and psychological dynamics to lead people through transformative change in themselves, their relationships, and their workplace culture.
Larsen is interested in facilitating transformative change by helping clients understand themselves and the patterning they carry into personal and professional relationships. She started out working and training at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospitalization Program. She created and ran a wellness program for the doctors and nurses at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She has advanced sexual training and supervision through the University of Michigan and currently owns and runs a private practice in Racine, WI.
Counseling Schools: What is something you wish the public understood about mental health counselors?
Larsen: The main thing I would wish for the public to understand about mental health counselors is that it is their job to understand and see you as a person—not your diagnosis. While a diagnosis may help, if the counselor is not able to understand you as a person and mainly views you as a person with a diagnosis and symptoms, a powerful aspect of what facilitates change in the relationship is missing.
I also wish the public understood counselors are people with their own past that influence their perception. When you enter counseling, you are trying to work with someone who has a clear or unfiltered perspective (as much as possible) to get the best results. If a counselor has not done their own work, they will only be able to guide you as far as they have gone, which in some cases unfortunately may not be far.
Counseling Schools: What advice would you give to aspiring counseling students who want to become licensed counselors in Wisconsin?
Larsen: I relocated my office from Illinois to Wisconsin. I am a self-pay practice. Every counselor and person I talked to told me I would never be able to run a cash practice in Racine WI—that the people there couldn’t afford it and wouldn’t value those kinds of services. I am so much more successful in Wisconsin than I ever was in Glenview, Illinois. I have had a full private practice with a wait list for years now.
People here value my services and are eager to look at themselves and do the work. You can run whatever kind of practice you want here in Wisconsin as long as you are passionate about the work, can reflect on yourself, do your own therapy process, and can see and understand people beyond their diagnosis.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Wisconsin
Marquette University offers two master’s degree programs in counseling. These are the master of science in clinical mental health counseling and the master of arts in school counseling. Both programs feature courses, clinical practicums, and other training experiences designed to create exceptional counselors who will ultimately work in a variety of capacities including leadership and advocacy. In addition, significant emphasis is placed on social and racial justice. Students will develop the skills needed to recognize and deconstruct exclusionary systems.
The master of science in clinical mental health counseling is a 60-credit program designed to be completed in 21 months. The program offers three specializations, namely clinical rehabilitation counseling, addiction counseling, and child and adolescent counseling. These specializations are optional; students also may choose to become generalists. In addition to a traditional classroom setting, students also select a clinical placement aligned with their particular area of interest.
The master of arts in school counseling is a 48-credit program available to both full and part-time students. Program instruction utilizes the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) national model of school counseling. In addition to traditional classroom instruction and an internship, the program emphasizes leadership development and the use of data-driven practices
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (two years); part-time (three years)
Mount Mary University offers a master of science degree in counseling that features three concentrations: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling.
The clinical mental health concentration is a 60-credit program with a sequence of core, concentration, and elective courses and a 700-hour clinical mental health practicum. Graduating from this program necessitates completing these requirements and preparing a counselor portfolio, a self-assessment, and an exam. To become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) graduates must subsequently complete 3,000 post-master’s supervised clinical counseling hours and then pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE).
The 60-credit clinical rehabilitation counseling concentration trains counselors to work with people with disabilities effectively. This particular specialization features coursework in trauma and addiction counseling. Program requirements are similar to those of the clinical mental health counseling specialization. However, this program allows students to select an exam or a thesis as the fulfillment of one of the program criteria.
To become a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC), graduates complete the aforementioned requirements and 12 months of suitable employment under the supervision of a CRC and also pass the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCE).
The 54-credit school counseling concentration provides successful graduates the skills to work with various personnel in K-12 school settings to assist students with their social, educational, training, and employment needs. Graduates hold the training necessary to satisfy the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requirements to become licensed as an early childhood/adolescence school counselor.
In addition to completing a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour onsite internship experience, students must pass the Praxis 2 Professional School Counselor Exam. Those seeking to also be eligible to become licensed professional counselors (LPCs) in Wisconsin must complete an additional 21 credits. Such additional training fulfills the requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
University of Wisconsin – Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Counseling Psychology offers a 60-credit master of science in counseling degree. The program features coursework, practicums, and a professional integration experience (PIE). The PIE is a capstone experience in which students demonstrate their skills through an oral case conceptualization. Students embarking upon study with course deficiencies may ultimately need to complete more than 60 credits. Program requirements meet the criteria for licensure in Wisconsin and Minnesota as well as several states outside the Midwest.
The curriculum includes courses such as developmental processes across the life span; abnormal behavior and psychopathology; crisis and trauma counseling; foundations of clinical mental health counseling; theories of counseling; counseling psychology techniques with families; and addictions counseling, among others.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison also offers a CACREP-accredited master of science program clinical rehabilitation counseling preparing graduates to serve adults and adolescents with disabilities in both public and private rehabilitation programs and agencies. This 60-credit program includes courses such as research methods in rehabilitation, mental health, & special education; clinical rehabilitation counseling – medical & psychosocial aspects; and clinical rehabilitation counseling – diagnosis & treatment planning, among others.
- Location: Madison, WI
- Accreditation: MS in counseling (Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)); MS in clinical rehabilitation counseling (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
University of Wisconsin – Stout
The University of Wisconsin-Stout offers four different counseling degree programs: a master of science in school counseling, a master of science in marriage and family therapy, a master of science in clinical mental health counseling, and a master of science in rehabilitation counseling.
Ranked as one of the top programs in the nation, the 54-credit master of science in school counseling degree program is a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction-approved program that offers day, evening, online, and summer coursework options. The coursework consists of foundation, research, school counseling, clinical, and selective courses. Students also must complete a 600-hour extended field placement.
Students may complete full- or part-time coursework and seek admission twice a year. The program is designed to meet licensure requirements specific to Wisconsin.
The 56-credit hour master of science in marriage and family therapy is designed to fulfill licensure requirements in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Unique features of this program include its use of a cohort model and an on-campus clinic where students complete clinical practice hours. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE).
The CACREP-accredited master of science in clinical mental health counseling is a 60-credit program designed to meet licensure requirements in Wisconsin and Minnesota. It also fulfills Wisconsin requirements to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC). Successful graduation also requires a passing grade on a comprehensive exam offered near the end of the program. Students may specialize in several concentrations including alcohol and drug abuse; crisis, and trauma; child and adolescent issues; eating disorders; and gerontological concerns.
The 60-credit rehabilitation counseling program offers students two study pathways. These are combined and online cohort options. Graduates must also choose between successfully passing a comprehensive exam or completing a thesis. This program meets the requirements for licensure in Wisconsin.
- Location: Menomonie, WI
- Accreditation: MS in clinical mental health counseling (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)); MS in MFT (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh College of Education and Professional Services offers a 60-credit master’s degree program in one of three emphases. These emphases are clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and student affairs and college counseling.
The clinical mental health counseling emphasis provides the training to become a licensed professional counselor within Wisconsin. Eligibility for licensure requires satisfactory completion of coursework and 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised professional counseling practice in which at least 1,000 hours are face-to-face client engagement. Primary curriculum subject matter areas include family systems, addiction, neuroscience, diagnosis and treatment, and trauma.
The school counseling emphasis incorporates a student-centered, experiential learning methodology to educate its students. The curriculum aligns with the American School Counseling Association National Model. Training emphasizes both traditional in-class course content as well as service learning. Such a combination empowers students to develop their knowledge and skills, refine their professional values and gain confidence in their capacity to serve as school counselors.
The student affairs and college counseling emphasis is designed by core values of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). The curriculum combines counseling theory, skill, clinical practice, and research. Students complete three semesters of clinical and experiential practice. Clinical training consists of a 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships. Students can customize their internship experience to align with a specialization that interests them. Graduates go on to serve in various settings including admissions, career and advising services, financial aid, residence life, and student activities and affairs.
- Location: Oshkosh, WI
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Counselor Education Program offers a 60-credit master of science degree in counseling. Two emphases are available, namely a clinical mental health counseling emphasis and a school counseling emphasis. The program is designed to be completed by full-time students over eight academic terms within three years. Successful graduates hold the competencies valued by various regulatory agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The clinical mental health counseling emphasis provides the training necessary to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) within Wisconsin and the National Board of Counselor certification. Students complete elective courses to further specialize in a number of major counseling topics including substance abuse, career and higher education, marriage and family issues, and trauma.
The school counseling emphasis trains students to become school counselors. Graduates must complete coursework and the Praxis II exam to become eligible for a K-12 school counseling license within Wisconsin. Coursework requirements include completion of a year-long internship in a school setting.
- Location: Whitewater, WI
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Three to four years
University of Wisconsin – River Falls
The University of Wisconsin at River Falls offers a CACREP-accredited a master of science in education in school counseling program, preparing graduates to work as professional counselors in diverse PK-16 school settings. Upon completion, graduates will have a master of science in education, an array of tools and skills, and a wide breadth of hands-on experience needed to succeed in their careers.
The program’s 60-credit curriculum includes courses such as introduction to school counseling; lifespan human development; cultural and ethical foundations of counseling; career counseling; behavioral assessment and intervention; group counseling; counseling theory and skills; and comprehensive school counseling programming.
- Location: River Falls, WI
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
Viterbo University offers two counseling programs. These are the master of science in clinical mental health counseling (MSMHC) degree and the master of science in school counseling (MSSC).
The MSMHC program is a 60-credit program featuring three specialty areas: substance abuse counseling, integrative health and wellness counseling, and child and adolescent counseling. Students may choose a full- or part-time option. Designed with the flexibility often needed by working adults this program can typically be completed in two to three years. Specific curricular emphasis include psych-diagnostics, psychopharmacology, family and wellness counseling, and evidence-based clinical practice. The program is designed to meet state licensure requirements for mental health counseling in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
The MSSC program is a 60-credit program. Students already holding a teaching license may waive two courses from the standard curriculum and select six credit hours of elective coursework that align with their educational focus. In addition, up to 15 credits from another CACREP-accredited program may be transferred toward the program requirements. The program also requires the completion of a research project focused on a topic of specific relevance to school counseling. This project requires students to design a research proposal, craft a methodology to guide data collection and analysis, and then present their project findings to the public.
- Location: La Crosse, WI
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
How Much Do Counselors Earn in Wisconsin?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2022—the latest data available as of March 2024. In cases where no BLS data were available, Ziprecruiter and Salary.com were referenced to find current information.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 62,080 | 130 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $63,300 | $63,110 |
| 10th percentile | $36,840 | $41,360 |
| 25th percentile | $44,730 | $50,530 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,570 | $64,160 |
| 75th percentile | $75,220 | $67,090 |
| 90th percentile | $98,700 | $92,130 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 344,970 | 6,840 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $56,230 | $54,330 |
| 10th percentile | $34,580 | $33,470 |
| 25th percentile | $39,810 | $38,860 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,710 | $49,520 |
| 75th percentile | $64,400 | $63,070 |
| 90th percentile | $82,710 | $78,380 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 308,000 | 4,250 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $64,200 | $57,770 |
| 10th percentile | $38,280 | $39,310 |
| 25th percentile | $47,380 | $46,660 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,140 | $55,630 |
| 75th percentile | $76,590 | $64,990 |
| 90th percentile | $98,530 | $78,280 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 82,420 | 2,130 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $46,020 | $39,700 |
| 10th percentile | $29,120 | $27,350 |
| 25th percentile | $33,790 | $30,510 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,990 | $36,290 |
| 75th percentile | $53,470 | $47,220 |
| 90th percentile | $71,270 | $56,530 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 37,270 | 440 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $49,770 | $50,160 |
| 10th percentile | $31,930 | $37,220 |
| 25th percentile | $36,730 | $41,810 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,390 | $46,630 |
| 75th percentile | $52,770 | $58,280 |
| 90th percentile | $75,340 | $66,460 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Wisconsin
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Wisconsin: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board | Mental health counselors in Wisconsin are licensed as either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Professional Counselor Trainees (LPC Trainee). To be an LPC Trainee, candidates must:
To be an LPC, candidates must meet trainee requirements as well as:
|
Both LPC and trainee licenses must be renewed biennially in Wisconsin. Renewals are due by February 28th of odd-numbered years and cost $62. Thirty continuing education credit hours are required for every renewal cycle. Four of the 30 hours must be in ethics. |
School Counseling Licenses in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction | The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction issues a Initial Educator license in a pupil services category for school counselors. The requirements for this initial license are:
To advance to a Professional Educator license, school counselors must:
| The initial license issued in Wisconsin is valid for five years, and is non-renewable. During those five years, school counselors must advance to a Professional Educator license. Professional Educator licenses are valid for five years. To renew, school counselors must:
|
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Department of Safety and Public Services (DSPS) | The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Public Services (DSPS) licenses Substance Abuse Counselors in Training (SACIT), Substance Abuse Counselors (SAC), and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC). SACIT license candidates must:
SAC license candidates must:
CSAC licence candidates must:
| DSPS requires substance abuse counselors to renew their licenses every two years as they expire on February 28th of odd-numbered years. Renewals cost $60. Counselors must complete 30 hours of continuing education, of which four must be in ethics. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board |
Rehabilitation counselors in Wisconsin are licensed as either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Professional Counselor Trainees (LPC Trainee). To be an LPC Trainee, candidates must:
To be an LPC, candidates must meet trainee requirements as well as:
|
Both LPC and trainee licenses must be renewed biennially in Wisconsin. Renewals are due by February 28th of odd-numbered years and cost a fee. Thirty continuing education credit hours are required for every renewal cycle. Four of the 30 hours must be in ethics. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services | The State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services licenses behavior analysts. Requirements for this license are:
|
BBehavior analyst licenses in Wisconsin expire on December 14th of even-numbered years. The cost to renew a license is $59. Proof of current BCBA certification is required to renew a behavior analyst license. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board |
The Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board credentials Marriage and Family Therapists and Marriage and Family Therapist Trainees. To be an MFT Trainee, candidates must:
To be a full MFT, candidates must meet trainee requirements, as well as:
|
Both full MFT and trainee licenses must be renewed biennially in Wisconsin. Renewals are due by February 28th of odd-numbered years and cost $60. Thirty continuing education credit hours are required for every renewal cycle. Four of the 30 hours must be in ethics. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board |
Child therapists in Wisconsin are licensed as either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Professional Counselor Trainees (LPC Trainee). To be an LPC Trainee, candidates must:
To be an LPC, candidates must meet trainee requirements as well as:
|
Both LPC and trainee licenses must be renewed biennially in Wisconsin. Renewals are due by February 28th of odd-numbered years and cost $62. Thirty continuing education credit hours are required for every renewal cycle. Four of the 30 hours must be in ethics. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.