Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Meaningful degree program

At CUW, counseling education is grounded in both academic excellence and Christian compassion. You will be prepared to serve as a counselor who helps clients achieve mental health and personal well-being while upholding the highest professional standards.

• Aligned with Wisconsin requirements for professional counselor licensure
• 8-week courses designed to offer a Flexible Online Format for working professionals
• Gain supervised clinical experience in practicum and internship settings
• Prepare for career in mental health agencies, healthcare systems, private practice, or community organizations

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will be able to:

• Apply counseling theories and techniques in clinical settings
• Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior aligned with ACA standards
• Provide culturally responsive care for diverse populations
• Utilize assessment tools and evidence-based interventions in practice
• Advocate for clients and communities through leadership, collaboration, and systemic change

CUW graduates are prepared to meet this demand and serve clients across healthcare, education, community, and private practice settings.

• Primarily online with two required in-person intensives to practice clinical skills
• Graduation timeline is ~3 years full time (part-time options available)
• Learn from licensed professional counselors who bring real-world experience into the classroom
• Complete capstone project to demonstrate readiness through applied research and program evaluation

What you will learn

The curriculum blends counseling theory, practical skills, and clinical experience to prepare you for practice in diverse environments.

Courses samples:

• Counseling Theories and Issues
• Human Growth and Development
• Social & Cultural Foundations in Counseling
• Trauma Counseling
• Individual and Group Counseling (face-to-face intensives)
• Career Counseling Foundations
• Professional Ethics and Legal Issues
• Appraisal and Assessment Techniques
• Research & Program Evaluation
• Family Counseling Models and Methods
• Addiction Counseling

Clinical training:

• Practicum (100 hours) working directly with clients under faculty supervision
• Internship (600 hours) supervised clinical training across approved community or healthcare sites

Licensure and accreditation

Graduates of Concordia’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are eligible to apply for the Licensed Professional Counselor – In Training (LPC-IT) credential through Wisconsin DSPS. DSPS establishes post-graduation requirements to advance from LPC-IT to full LPC.

To earn licensure, you must:

1. Complete all coursework and clinical training (practicum + internship)
2. Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or equivalent
3. Meet state requirements for supervised post-graduate practice
   
   Requirements vary by state. Contact your state licensing board to determine transferability.

Career outlook

The need for mental health counselors is growing rapidly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024):

• Median Salary: $53,710 per year
• Job Outlook (2024–34): 17% growth

Potential careers:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Clinical Mental Health Counselor
• Substance Abuse or Addiction Counselor
• Marriage & Family Counselor
• Private Practice Counselor
• Community Mental Health Advocate

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available for eligible students. Employer reimbursement and Concordia partnership discounts may also apply.

Substance abuse counseling add-on

A specific set of courses embedded within our program have been approved by the State of Wisconsin which allows Concordia graduates to apply for a Substance Abuse Counselor-In-Training (SAC-IT) license through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) upon completion of the courses. Post-graduation, an additional 2000 supervised externship hours are required within the Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse field, to obtain the full SAC license.

School counseling track

Students looking to apply the principles of counseling within schools should view our Master of Science in School Counseling (WI DPI #7054) degree.

Dual licensure track

Earn both your School Counseling (WI DPI License #7054) and Clinical Mental Health Counselor degree (WI DSPS Certificate 226).

Non-licensable option

The Counseling Foundations degree (36 credits) equips individuals with leadership and relationship skills that are critical to working with others in the classroom or workplace.