Personal purpose.
Personal purpose.
CACREP-aligned. Career-ready.
Today's mental health landscape reveals a critical need: according to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), as recently as in 2022, one in five U.S. adults experienced mental illness but only about half of those in need of care received it.1 As a counselor prepared at Marquette University, you'll stand at the intersection of this need and its solution.
The online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) at Marquette University prepares you for more than just earning your counseling licensure. You'll develop the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation to adapt to clients' diverse backgrounds and respond effectively to changing clinical and educational environments. Grounded in Jesuit values, our CACREP-accredited program elevates both your career prospects and your capacity to serve others with purpose and compassion.
Meet the growing need for mental health care
The counseling profession is experiencing remarkable growth, reflecting an increased recognition of mental health's importance. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for behavioral disorder, mental health, and substance abuse counselors is projected to grow by 19% by 2033—much faster than the average for all occupations.2
Across the country, communities are seeking counselors who can work effectively with diverse individuals and groups. This demand spans various settings:
- Family services agencies
- Outpatient care centers
- Addiction treatment facilities
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Schools and educational institutions
- Private practices and community clinics
Through Marquette’s rigorous curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, you’ll be prepared to make an impact in these settings and beyond. The online CMHC program also provides a strong foundation for those who may later wish to pursue doctoral studies in psychology or related fields.
Be the difference with careers that matter
Clinical mental health counselor
As a clinical mental health counselor, you'll work with individuals, groups, and communities to address a wide range of mental health challenges. Whether in community mental health centers or health care settings, you'll provide assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment while advocating for those in need.
Private practice counselor
Many licensed counselors establish private practices, offering the freedom to set schedules, design personalized treatment approaches, and develop specialized areas of practice. Marquette's program provides both the clinical expertise and professional acumen to succeed in this entrepreneurial path.
Substance abuse counselor
With 16% of U.S. adults experiencing substance use disorders but only 6% receiving treatment, substance abuse counselors fill a critical need.3 In this role, you'll develop treatment plans, facilitate recovery groups, and connect clients with supportive resources to achieve lasting healing.
Marriage and family therapist
Specializing in relationship dynamics, marriage and family therapists help couples and families enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their bonds. This rewarding career allows you to witness transformation across entire family systems.
Crisis counselor
In emergency settings and crisis intervention programs, crisis counselors provide immediate mental health support during times of acute distress. This demanding yet deeply impactful role requires compassion, quick thinking, and strong clinical skills—qualities Marquette's program helps you develop.
Research and academia
For those passionate about advancing the science of counseling, careers in research and academia offer opportunities to educate future counselors, conduct innovative studies, and shape best practices in mental health treatment.
Specialized care for growing minds
Children and adolescents face unique mental health challenges requiring specialized approaches. By pursuing the child and adolescent counseling specialization, you'll gain advanced clinical training to work effectively with young people and their families in various settings:
- Hospitals and pediatric mental health units
- School-based counseling programs
- Outpatient clinics and community centers
- Residential treatment facilities
- Child advocacy organizations
This specialization prepares you to address developmental concerns, trauma, family dynamics, and behavioral challenges through age-appropriate interventions. You'll learn to create safe therapeutic spaces where children and adolescents can express themselves, develop coping skills, and build resilience for healthier futures.
Build your path to professional practice
As a graduate of Marquette's CACREP-accredited counseling program, you'll be well-prepared to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin and many other states. Our curriculum is designed with licensure standards in mind, incorporating the course work and supervised clinical experiences required by most licensing boards.
Understanding state licensure requirements
Licensing regulations vary by state, with differences in:
- Required graduate course work
- Number of credit hours needed
- Supervised practice requirements
- Examination standards
- Continuing education expectations
Before applying to Marquette University’s online CMHC program, you’re highly encouraged to review your state's specific licensure provisions.
Marquette's commitment to licensure preparation
In accordance with federal regulations, Marquette determines whether its professional licensure preparation programs meet requirements in states beyond Wisconsin. For a comprehensive list of states where the online CMHC program meets educational requirements for counseling licensure, please visit: https://www.marquette.edu/consumer-information/state-licensure.php
If you have questions about licensure pathways or wish to make an attestation regarding your plans to seek licensure in a particular state, please contact Dr. Karisse Callender at karisse.callender@marquette.edu for personalized guidance.
Choose your own definition of success with Marquette
A counseling career offers more than professional advancement—it provides the opportunity to be a catalyst for healing and positive change in individuals and communities. With Marquette's online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you'll join a tradition of excellence, purpose, and service to others.
Make your mark in mental health care
Marquette University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program delivers an immersive online experience that combines counseling theory with contemporary therapeutic techniques and practical insights from expert faculty counselors. Pair your drive to serve with practical skills and diverse clinical experiences, ensuring you're ready to make a significant impact.
Discover how Marquette's social-justice focused course work and flexible online format can prepare you for a rewarding career in mental health.
Take the first step
Individual growth.
Collective change.
Admissions Deadlines
- Retrieved on April 30, 2025, from nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
- Retrieved on April 30, 2025, from bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
- Retrieved on April 30, 2025, from aha.org/news/headline/2023-01-06-survey-most-americans-substance-use-disorders-dont-receive-treatment