Counseling (MS & PhD)

Counseling (M.S. and Ph.D.)

Join the front lines
in mental health advocacy

Whether you’re just beginning your counseling career or interested in preparing the next generation of counselors, a postgraduate degree from National Louis University can help you take the next step. With an M.S. in Counseling or a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision, you’ll be equipped to promote mental health for individuals and communities alike.

We Believe in your best

Learn with us and discover who you can be with a B.A. or M.A.T. in Secondary Education from National Louis University.

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College of Psychology & Behavioral Sciences

Graduate Programs that Elevate Careers in Helping Others

Whether you’re preparing to become a counselor or advancing your impact as an educator, supervisor, researcher or leader, NLU’s Counseling programs help you build the knowledge, practical experience and professional foundation to make a difference in the field of mental health. Graduates may pursue paths such as:

  • School Counselor
  • Clinical Mental Health Counselor
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
  • Advanced Practice/Assessment (Ph.D.)
  • Counselor Education (Ph.D.)
  • Leadership & Advocacy (Ph.D.)

90.3%

persistence rate in Counseling (M.S.) program

What To Expect

Tomorrow’s high-impact leaders in education, learning together.

Professional Licensure

An M.S. in Counseling prepares you to sit for exams to become a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), as well as preparing you to receive a Professional Educator License (PEL) in Illinois.

Full Accreditation

Both the M.S. in Counseling and Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Hands-On Experience

M.S. students apply their learning to the field with a 600-hour internship under the supervision of an expert mentor. Meanwhile, the Ph.D. program’s Live-On-Line format allows for a classroom experience with the flexibility of online learning.

Expert Faculty

Learn from faculty who bring years of real-world counseling experience to the classroom and who are also active researchers in the field. You’ll be learning the most current theories and best practices so you can meet the needs of today’s employers.

Professional Licensure

An M.S. in Counseling prepares you to sit for exams to become a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), as well as preparing you to receive a Professional Educator License (PEL) in Illinois.

Full Accreditation

Both the M.S. in Counseling and Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Hands-on Experience

M.S. students apply their learning to the field with a 600-hour internship under the supervision of an expert mentor. Meanwhile, the Ph.D. program’s Live-On-Line format allows for a classroom experience with the flexibility of online learning.

Expert Faculty

Learn from faculty who bring years of real-world counseling experience to the classroom and who are also active researchers in the field. You’ll be learning the most current theories and best practices so you can meet the needs of today’s employers.

Real Questions. Straight Answers.

Still wondering if NLU’s M.S. and Ph.D. Counseling programs are right for you? Let’s address the things that matter most.

What is the difference between the M.S. and Ph.D. Counseling programs?

The M.S. in Counseling is designed for students preparing to become professional counselors, while the Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision is designed for students with a completed master’s degree in counseling who want to prepare for careers in counselor education, supervision, advanced clinical practice, leadership, advocacy or research.

If your goal is to become a professional counselor, the M.S. in Counseling may be the right path. If you already have counseling experience and want to prepare for advanced roles in counselor education, supervision or leadership, the Ph.D. may be a better fit. An Enrollment Specialist can help you compare programs and determine the best next step for your goals.

Career paths vary by degree. M.S. in Counseling graduates may pursue roles in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling or substance abuse counseling, while Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision graduates may pursue careers in counselor education, supervision, research, advanced clinical practice, leadership or advocacy.

The next step in your career in educational leadership starts here.

Connect with NLU to learn more about enrolling today.

Start Now

Clicking the “Find Your Next Step Forward” button constitutes your express written consent for National Louis University to contact you by phone, text, email and mail using the provided contact information, including a wireless number and your understanding that these efforts may be generated using automated technology. Your consent is not required to obtain further information.