There are eleven school counseling master’s programs offered by public and private institutions in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is a mid-sized state located in the midwest and bordering Canada. Wisconsin is known for its large public university system, the University of Wisconsin. There are also a handful of private Catholic and secular universities. There are several hybrid and online programs available, which could be helpful for dealing with the harsh winter climate. Keep reading to learn about the school counseling master’s programs that Wisconsin has to offer.
Wisconsin School Counseling Programs Quick Facts
- Number of School Counseling Programs in Wisconsin: 11
- CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Programs: 3
- Hybrid or Online School Counseling Programs in Wisconsin: 5
- Tuition Cost Range: $21,186 – $44,280
- Average Cost of Tuition: $34,917
Masters Programs in Georgia To Become a School Counselor
There are ten Master of School Counseling programs in the state of Georgia offered by both public and private higher education institutions.
Concordia University Wisconsin
- Mequon, WI
- 48 credits
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science in Education
City: Mequon, WI
Modality: Hybrid
Length: 48 credit hours
Tuition: $735 per credit hour, $35,280 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Concordia University Wisconsin is a private Christian university offers a predominantly online school counseling master’s program. Two mandatory courses are held in-person. Concordia University Wisconsin also offers what it calls “uncommon scholarships” to reduce the cost of tuition.
Why We Like This Program:
- Students can begin this program at the beginning of any 8-week term throughout the year.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
Viterbo University
- La Crosse, WI
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science
City: La Crosse, WI
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $670 per credit hour, $40,200 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Viterbo University is a private Catholic university with a school counseling program scheduled around working students. Classes are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. There are also weekend intensives which take place three weekends per semester on Fridays from 5pm-10pm and Saturdays from 8am to 5pm.
Why We Like This Program:
- Students typically complete this program in 7 to 9 semesters (2.5 – 3 years).
- Class sizes are intentionally kept small.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee
- Milwaukee, WI
- 48 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science
City: Milwaukee, WI
Modality: In Person
Length: 48 credit hours
Tuition: $6,403.46 per semester, $38,421 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Students in the school counseling program at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee can complete their coursework on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students enrolled full-time will complete the program in two years with summer semesters, while those enrolled part-time will complete the program in three years with summer semesters.
Why We Like This Program:
- Students have the option to pursue dual licensure as both a school counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
Marquette University
- Milwaukee, WI
- 48 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Arts
City: Milwaukee, WI
Modality: In-Person
Length: 48 credit hours
Tuition: $18,810 per year, $37,620 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Marquette University is a private Catholic university based in the Jesuit tradition. Their school counseling master’s program can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule, but is designed to be complete in two years.
Why We Like This Program:
- Graduates from this program have a 100% employment rate within 120 days of graduation.
- Faculty in this program include past presidents of the American School Counselor Association and Wisconsin School Counselor Association.
Additional Considerations:
- The GRE is required for admission to this program.
- A background in human services is preferred in applicants to this program.
Online School Counseling Masters Programs in Wisconsin
There are three fully online and two hybrid school counseling master’s programs in Wisconsin. Online and hybrid programs have become increasingly popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The ease of taking classes from anywhere can mean less time and money spent on commuting. Here are the online and hybrid options available in Wisconsin:
Lakeland University
- Plymouth, WI
- 51 credits
- In-Person + Online + Hybrid
Program:
Master of Arts in Counseling
City: Plymouth, WI
Modality: In-Person, Online, or Hybrid
Length: 51 credit hours
Tuition: $700 per credit hour, $35,000 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Lakeland University offers an exceptionally flexible school counseling master’s program meant to be completed within three years. Courses are held over either seven or twelve weeks. Students can choose from the on-campus, online asynchronous, online live, or blended modalities.
Why We Like This Program:
- Students can pursue more than one counseling emphasis, e.g. school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in a behavioral science (such as psychology) must have at least nine credits of behavioral science courses with a minimum grade of “B-” as a prerequisite.
The University of Wisconsin at Stout
- Menomonie, WI
- 45 credits
- Online
Program:
Master of Science
City: Menomonie, WI
Modality: Online
Length: 45 credit hours
Tuition: $470.79 per credit hour, $21,186 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The University of Wisconsin at Stout has one of the top three school counseling master’s programs in the state. The online courses are offered in the daytime, afternoon, and evening to accommodate all students’ schedules.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program boasts a 100% job placement rate.
- This program meets the state standards for school counselors in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
Mount Mary University
- Milwaukee, WI
- 54 credits
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science
City: Milwaukee, WI
Modality: Hybrid
Length: 54 credit hours
Tuition: $820 per credit hour, $44,280 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
This program is set up as a hybrid model, with about 25% of the coursework completed online and the rest on campus. Mount Mary University’s School Counseling Program is part of an initiative to improve mental health access in rural areas. The Wisconsin BeWell ‘s Consortium was awarded a five-year grant from 2023-2028 to train mental health professionals. Two Mount Mary University school counseling students have been recipients of this grant.
Why We Like This Program:
- Students can also become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for one additional year of coursework.
- Mount Mary University also offers a post-master’s certificate for those who hold a master’s degree in counseling and wish to become a school counselor.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a behavioral science (or at least 18 credits in behavioral sciences) are strongly preferred.
- While the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Mount Mary University is CACREP-accredited, the school counseling program is not.
The University of Wisconsin at Superior
- Superior, WI
- 60 credits
- Online
Program:
Master of Science in Education
City: Superior, WI
Modality: Online
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $520 per credit hour, $31,200 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The University of Wisconsin at Superior has shifted its master’s program in school counseling to an entirely online. The plan of study is designed for both teachers and those from other professional backgrounds. With multiple start dates throughout the academic year, this program offers maximum flexibility.
Why We Like This Program:
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores.
- This program meets the state standards for school counselors in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Masters Programs in Wisconsin
There are three CACREP-accredited school counseling programs offered by public and private institutions in Wisconsin.
“CACREP” stands for Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. This is a nationally recognized specialized accreditation for master’s and doctoral programs related to counseling. Attending a CACREP-accredited program can be a boost to your resume. Learn more about these programs below.
The University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh
- Oshkosh, WI
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science in Education
City: Oshkosh, WI
Modality: In Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $588.25 per credit hour, $35,295 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The school counseling program at The University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh is built on a service-learning model. With numerous community and school partnerships, students learn through hands-on experiences and seminars.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
- There is an active chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society for counseling students, on campus.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores.
Additional Considerations:
- The deadline to apply to this program is January 15th for consideration for the following summer.
The University of Wisconsin at River Falls
- River Falls, WI
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science in Education
City: River Falls, WI
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $507.72 per credit hour, $30,463 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The University of Wisconsin at River Falls offers a school counseling master’s program that can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule. Classes are held mostly in the evenings on campus, with occasional hybrid or online coursework. Applicants from all professional backgrounds are welcome to apply.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
- Numerous scholarships and grants are available to school counseling graduate students at the University of Wisconsin at River Falls.
- Applicants have the option to submit GRE scores for consideration but are not required to do so.
Additional Considerations:
- This program accepts applications on a rolling basis and allows for a fall or spring semester start.
The University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
- Whitewater, WI
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science
City: Whitewater, WI
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $585.74 per credit hour, $35,144 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Students in the counseling master’s program at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater have the option to pursue dual-licensure as both a school counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Applicants also do not have to submit their GRE scores.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
- Students have the opportunity to study abroad in Scotland.
- This program boasts a 100% job placement rate.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants to this program “must have sufficient background in the behavioral sciences, including a course or courses in human development, abnormal psychology, and statistics.”
No GRE Required School Counseling Masters Programs in Wisconsin
If taking standardized tests isn’t your strong suit, fear not! There are plenty of schools that understand that test scores don’t tell the full story, especially for school counseling programs.
Out of all the school counseling programs in Wisconsin, only Marquette University requires applicants to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
Wisconsin’s Most Affordable School Counseling Masters Program
A career in school counseling is tremendously rewarding but often has relatively lower pay. For this reason, prospective school counseling students should carefully consider the cost of attendance when applying to graduate school. Fortunately, many of the school counseling master’s degree programs in Wisconsin are offered by state schools. The program with the lowest estimated tuition cost is the University of Wisconsin at Stout.
School Counseling In Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a mid-sized state with a population of approximately 5.961 million people. The Wisconsin public school system had 846,693 students enrolled in 2022. This included all students from pre-K through 12th grade. The state is divided into 423 school districts which operate 2,176 schools.
The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) recommends a student-to-school counselor ratio of 250:1. In the 2022-2023 school year, Wisconsin’s student-to-school counselor ratio was 366:1. While this is higher than the recommendation, this is an average ratio for most states.
School Counselor Certification In Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction offers four tiers of licensure for school counselors. Tier I is a “one year license with stipulations” for candidates who do not yet qualify for permanent status. Tier II is a provisional license given to those who have completed an approved school counseling master’s program. Tier III is a lifetime license for those who have successfully completed six semesters with their provisional license. Tier IV is a master license which is an optional credential for those who hold a lifetime license and complete a national board for professional teaching certification (NBPTS) or a Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment process (WMEAP). For more information, visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website.
FAQs
How much does a school counselor make in Wisconsin?
The average salary range for a school counselor in Wisconsin is $38,500 to $77,700. The median salary is $50,000.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Wisconsin?
Typically, it takes between two and three years to become a school counselor in Wisconsin. This is because earning a master’s degree in school counseling (including completing the necessary fieldwork) usually takes this amount of time. Unlike some other states, Wisconsin does not require school counselors to have any prior teaching experience.
