MADISON, Wis.—June 18, 2025—University of Wisconsin-Parkside, in partnership with UW Online Collaboratives, will offer an online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling starting in September 2025.
The 20-course, 60-credit program meets the pre-credential educational requirement for licensure as a professional counselor in Wisconsin and Illinois. Students will take online courses taught by UW-Parkside faculty and complete an in-person counseling practicum and internship during their final year in the program.
“UW-Parkside is excited to partner with UW Online Collaboratives and begin this online modality to complement our existing in-person program. This additional modality will allow us to expand our offering to meet the growing demand in this important community profession.”
—Dr. John Skalbeck, Interim Dean, College of Natural and Health Sciences at UW-Parkside
The program is designed for those who want to help others improve wellness at home, work, school, or in their community by becoming a mental health professional. Students will develop skills critical to effective clinical mental health counseling such as assessment, diagnosis, intervention, advocacy, and program evaluation.
Students will collaborate with a group of peers who start and finish the program together as part of a cohort. Each cohort will begin classes in the fall, and students have the option of taking courses part-time or full-time as they follow an academic plan.
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According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job openings in mental health services are projected to grow 18 percent over the next decade. With a decreasing stigma around mental health services and more clients seeking treatment for anxiety, stress, and other issues, counselors are expected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree meets the pre-credential educational requirements for licensure in Wisconsin and Illinois to become a professional counselor. Graduates can work in mental health outpatient care, hospitals, clinics, agencies, schools, integrative care, or private practice.
“Our students have frequently expressed gaining a challenging yet transformational learning experience. Many of our students are offered employment from their internship sites based on the quality of their training.”
—Dr. Robtrice Brawner, Associate Professor and CMHC Program Director at UW-Parkside
The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling joins a growing number of online degree and certificate programs for adult learners who require flexibility to further their education. To learn more about the program, contact an enrollment adviser today at 1-608-800-6762 or learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu.
About Universities of Wisconsin Online Collaboratives
Universities of Wisconsin Online Collaboratives partners with all 13 UW universities to offer online degrees and certificates, as well as continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities. Through UW Online Collaboratives, people of Wisconsin and beyond can access university resources and engage in online learning, wherever they live and work—fulfilling the promise of the “Wisconsin Idea.”