Students interested in pursuing a career in the high-demand field of counseling often share a common concern: Does the program meet the accreditation and licensure requirements in the state where they want to practice?
The University of Wisconsin-Superior (UW-Superior) offers three Master of Science in Education (MSE) – Counseling programs, thoroughly preparing graduates for licensure in several states, including Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Clinical Mental Health Track, Marriage and Family Therapy Track, and School Counseling Track programs combine rigorous coursework with supervised clinical experiences, ensuring graduates are ready to meet the demands of their chosen counseling careers.
Accreditation for Counseling Programs
While UW-Superior’s three online MSE – Counseling programs are not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), prospective students should rest assured that this does not diminish their rigor, quality or effectiveness in preparing students for licensure. These programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a recognized accrediting body under the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and meet the American Counseling Association (ACA) standards for state licensure.
To better understand accreditation, it’s helpful to distinguish between the organizations involved. The HLC is a regional accrediting body recognized by CHEA that evaluates entire institutions, ensuring they meet rigorous standards for academic quality, faculty qualifications and student outcomes. The commission accredits UW-Superior and other institutions, including those offering CACREP-accredited programs.
CACREP is a program-specific accreditor that focuses exclusively on counseling programs. While widely respected, CACREP is not the sole standard for program quality or licensure eligibility. UW-Superior programs receive accreditation by the HLC, the same organization that accredits CACREP.
The ACA explains that all states require counseling graduate programs to be accredited either by a counseling-specific accrediting organization, such as CACREP or the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), or by a regional accreditor like HLC. Since UW-Superior’s programs are HLC-accredited, they meet ACA standards and fully align with licensure requirements in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
In fact, UW-Superior’s counseling programs are pre-approved for licensure in these states, ensuring graduates can seamlessly begin their professional practice. The pre-approval points to the high quality and relevance of UW-Superior’s programs in meeting state regulatory standards.
Explore MSE Degrees in Clinical Mental Health, Marriage and Family Therapy, and School Counseling
UW-Superior’s online MSE – Counseling programs equip students with specialized skills in different areas of counseling, offering robust curricula and hands-on experiences. To graduate from any of the three programs, students must complete 600 internship hours and 100 practicum hours that are integrated with their coursework. By meeting these standards and demonstrating their expertise in the field, graduates are ready to pass their licensure exams and begin work as licensed counselors in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The Clinical Mental Health Track program prepares students to address mental health challenges in diverse settings, including private practices, hospitals and community agencies. Students learn to provide evidence-based interventions for individuals struggling with issues like anxiety, depression, trauma and substance abuse.
Focused on relational dynamics, the Marriage and Family Therapy Track program trains counselors to work with couples, families and groups. It emphasizes systemic approaches to therapy, preparing graduates to help clients improve communication, resolve conflicts and strengthen relationships. Upon completing the program and earning passing scores on their licensure exam, graduates are qualified to work as licensed counselors in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Dedicated to the academic, career and social-emotional development of K–12 students, the School Counseling Track program provides the tools to support students’ well-being and success. Graduates are qualified to collaborate with educators, parents and communities to create a supportive environment for learners. Students must also pass the Praxis Professional School Counselor exam to graduate. These requirements ensure that school counseling graduates earn their licensure and are ready to work with students on day one.
Prepare to Be a Qualified, Licensed Counselor in Wisconsin and Minnesota With UW-Superior
UWS’ online MSE – Counseling programs are rigorously accredited by HLC, meet ACA licensure standards and prepare students for meaningful careers in counseling. Prospective students can be confident in the value of their UWS education and how it will help them obtain licensure in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The programs also satisfy many other states’ and countries’ licensure requirements for counselors. For more information and a complete list, visit UW-Superior’s professional licensure disclosures page.
Learn more about UW-Superior’s online MSE – Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Track, Marriage and Family Therapy Track, and School Counseling Track programs.
