Master's in Counseling

Become a qualified and caring counselor in an online program

Our online master's in counseling program offers two distinct pathways focused on helping you reach your full potential and walk with others who need wise counsel. Choose between our two pathways: earn your master’s degree in school counseling and work with K-12 students, or earn your graduate degree in professional counseling with the option to take courses in substance abuse counseling. No matter which path you choose, you will graduate prepared to begin your career as a counselor and help others navigate their lives faithfully in mind, body, and spirit.

Credits

45-60

Cost Per Credit

$735

Schedule

Start at the beginning of any 8-week session during the fall, spring, or summer trimester.

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Program Overview

This program focuses on developing the strategies and foundational skills you will need to effectively listen, support, and help a diverse range of individuals. We teach you to provide care to the mind, body, and spirit of the people you treat as a professional counselor or as a school counselor. Each counseling track has specific curriculum that establishes your expertise and empowers you to succesfully provide life-long service.

This is primarily an online program that is centered on 8-week sessions throughout the academic year. You can start at the beginning of any 8-week session as you work to earn your graduate degree in counseling.

There are (2) required in-person courses that will help enhance your counseling abilities and provide face-to-face time to learn from faculty and your peers. Skills and strategies for individual and group counseling are taught by practicing counselors or individuals that were counselors before entering academia.

What to Expect

Licensure to practice for school counseling and professional counseling track are only for the state of Wisconsin. Students who desire licensure in another state must contact their respective state for details about whether or not this coursework will meet state requirements. Students from outside of Wisconsin may earn a Master’s degree without teacher licensing for the school counselor track.

Concordia University's Counseling Program prepares graduates to be ethical servant leaders who value the diversity of God's children and embrace social justice with compassion. Graduates help others to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in mind, body, and spirit.

Learning outcomes for school and professional counseling tracks:

Integrate evidence-based counseling theories, techniques, and interventions into practice.
Adhere to professional and ethical standards
Actively engage in self-reflection and lifelong learning
Serve clients according to their unique diverse needs
Help clients to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in mind, body, and spirit

Concentrations / Specializations

Enroll in one of two tracks:

1. Professional Counseling LPC-IT (eligible for SAC-IT courses)
2. School Counseling WI DPI #7054

Only graduates from the professional counseling track are eligible for the SAC-IT (Substance Abuse Counselor In-Training credential through WI DSPS.

Licensure / Certifications

The professional counseling program track is an approved program by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and leads to a LPC-IT endorsement. The school counseling program track is an approved program by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for endorsement of a #7054 School Counseling license.

Graduate Application Steps

Entrance requirements

An awarded bachelor's degree from an accredited higher-education institution
The Counseling program has a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00. (Students below a 3.00 may still be reviewed for consideration.)

Admissions process for graduate school

Application form available at www.cuw.edu/apply
- Select the Graduate option
One page essay which should include the following:
- Reason for obtaining a graduate degree
- What are your career goals
- Why are you choosing to pursue your degree at Concordia University
Current résumé of your education and employment experience
Two letters of recommendation using this Recommendation Form
Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education
Brief video introduction recorded and submitted through your Future Falcon application
Provide a copy of your government-issued identification

When your application is complete, the file is forwarded to the Admission Committee for review.

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Accepted into the program

An official acceptance letter will be emailed to you that will include your Student ID number
An email from your Admissions Counselor will be sent to you with Next-Step details
Password information will be sent separately from the Information Technology office which will provide you access to Canvas, your Concordia email account, and your student portal
Academic Advising Appointment: Once admitted, you may schedule to meet with your Academic & Career Advisor who will review your degree plan, discuss orientation steps, the CUW student portal, and assist with registering for classes

Please note:

Graduate entrance exams such as the GRE, are not required
If you have completed graduate level classes in the last seven years and wish to have them evaluated for possible transfer, please contact your admissions counselor for more information
Uncommon Scholarships: If you meet qualifications, please complete an application Uncommon Scholarship

Non-Degree Students

This is for students seeking a certification, licensure, or an individual course.

Please complete an application at www.cuw.edu/apply
- Select the Non-Degree option
Non-degree applicants only need to submit an application to begin their admission review. Academic transcripts may be requested from admissions to complete our review.

International Students

International students should contact the Office of International Admissions at international.admissions@cuw.edu for additional information on eligibility and application requirements. For more details, please visit our International Admissions website page.

Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262-243-4300.

Counselor Options

Professional Counseling LPC-IT

Students in our licensed professional counselor program will graduate ready to sit for the National Counselors Examination (NCE) in order to be licensed as an LPC-IT (Licensed Professional Counselor In Training). Post-graduation, an additional 3,000 hours of supervised externship are required in order to be fully licensed as a professional counselor. These 3,000 hours must be completed within 5 years of earning your LPC-IT.

Our professional counseling program is approved by Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). While our program standards often qualify students for licensure in other states, students looking to practice professional counseling outside of Wisconsin should make sure the program meets the licensing requirements of the state in which they plan to work.

School Counseling WI DPI #7054

Students pursuing a master’s in school counseling are trained to apply the principles of learning, human development, counseling, and research and measurement within schools. School counselors must pass the Praxis II exam, complete a portfolio, and apply for their school counseling license through WI DPI.

Our school counseling program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI) for the #7054 School Guidance Counselor license. While WI standards often qualify students for licensure in other states, students looking to practice school counseling outside of Wisconsin should make sure our counseling program meets the licensing requirements of the state in which they plan to work.

Additional license and certificate options: Substance Abuse Counseling

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.

This option is only open to professional counseling students. Professional counseling students may embed the 2000 hours into their 3000-hour experience post-master's degree.

Practicum Requirements

The school and professional counseling paths have separate requirements for their practicum hours and site placements. Learn more from the Assistant Director of the Counseling program:

School Counselor Practicum Requirements

Professional Counselor Practicum Requirements

Master's in Counseling

The blogs provide more detailed information about pursing your Licensed Professional Counselor in Training licensure or your School Counselor licensure. Gain a better understanding of what it takes to have a career as a counselor.

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Informational Webinars

Watch a recent webinar

Academic Community Partnership

Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Education has a reputation for helping public, private, charter, and other school systems meet the needs of their students in the most comprehensive way possible. This is not only an exclusive partnership; we simply believe in providing opportunities to increase teacher capacity, improve leadership development, and impact student success.

Benefits of the Academic Community Partnership include:

Partner with a local university that has an excellent academic and ethical reputation
We come to you – meet with our team to customize a program or professional development that fits each districts’ unique needs
Meet educational objectives and enhance faculty expertise with highly respected, fully accredited programs in a wide range of graduate degrees, licensure programs, and technology options
Face-to-face cohorts or diverse online programs to meet your busy schedule. We provide expert instructors and consultants and draw on research-based practices through our rigorous accredited programs
Professional development connected to university credit
Receive $450 per eligible graduate course or $150 per eligible online undergraduate course

Become a qualified and caring counselor in an online program

Credits

Cost Per Credit

Schedule

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