Concordia offers multiple Counseling Education tracks:

1. School Counselor (K-12) – WDPI License #7054. The School Counselor Program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The program follows the licensing requirements for school counselors.
2. Professional Counselor – WDSPS Certificate 226-Licensed Professional Counselor in Training. Students may also be endorsed for a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (SAC-IT) 130 License - See the counseling program director for specifics on SAC-IT endorsement requirements.
3. Counseling Foundations - Non-Licensable Degree - See counseling program director for specifics for this counseling master degree alternative.
4. Dual Track (School and Professional Counseling) - WDPI License #7054 School Counselor and WDSPS Certificate 226-Licensed Professional Counselor in Training. 

The Objectives of the Counseling Degree

Concordia University's Graduate Counseling Program prepares its graduates to be ethical servant leaders who value the diversity of God's children and embrace social justice with compassion. Graduates help others to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in mind, body and spirit.

Graduates of the Counseling program will:

• Integrate evidence-based counseling theories, techniques and interventions into professional practice
• Adhere to professional and ethical standards
• Actively engage in self-reflection and lifelong learning
• Serve clients according to their unique diverse needs
• Help clients to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in mind, body and spirit
• Analyze needs of clients and students based on data and assessments

Students from outside of Wisconsin

Please keep in mind that upon successful completion of the program, you will be endorsed for licensure in the state of Wisconsin. You are encouraged to explore what you will need in your state to complete your practicum experiences as well as licensure as a school counselor or professional counselor. You will need to meet all criteria in the state of Wisconsin to complete your degree through Concordia. Exploration of these criteria for practicum and licensure is your responsibility and should be completed prior to entering the program or as soon as possible upon admittance to the program.

International Students

Please keep in mind that upon successful completion of the program, you will be endorsed for licensure in the state of Wisconsin. You are encouraged to explore what you will need in your country to complete your practicum experience as well as licensure as a school counselor or professional counselor. You will need to meet all criteria in the state of Wisconsin to complete your degree through Concordia. Exploration of these criteria for practicum and licensure is your responsibility and should be completed prior to entering the program or as soon as possible upon admittance to the program.

All transcripts must be from a regionally accredited university and reviewed by a credential evaluation service. Concordia recommends either: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE).

Program Learning Outcomes

• Integrate evidence-based counseling theories, techniques and interventions into professional practice
   
• Adhere to professional and ethical standards
   
• Actively engage in self-reflection and lifelong learning
   
• Serve clients according to their unique diverse needs
   
•  Help clients to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in mind, body and spirit
   
• Analyze needs of clients and students based on data and assessments

Curriculum for School Counseling 

A total of 45 credits are required for students seeking endorsement for licensure as a School Counselor. Students without a teaching license must complete an additional 3 credit course in classroom management.

Licensing Requirements for School Counselor (K-12) - License #7054

Portfolio Requirements

The student seeking a Wisconsin DPI counseling license endorsed by Concordia,  must complete a Portfolio and demonstrate an understanding and ability to apply the Pupil Service Standards within counseling practice. The Portfolio is comprised of five sections. The Introduction to Portfolio is completed while a student is enrolled in COUN 5000 Counseling Theories and Issues. Pre-Practicum Portfolio is to be completed and submitted as a part of the application process for participation in the Practicum experiences. The last 3 portfolio sections (elementary school, middle school, and high school) will be completed during the Practicum experiences.

Practicum Requirements

The student must submit their entire application, with all three sites and on-site supervisors identified, for the practicum experience to be approved. Each student must obtain a minimum of 200 hours at each of the following levels:  Elementary, Middle, and High. If the student is required to obtain more than 600 hours, the student should contact the Program Director to review expectations and options.

Praxis II Exam Requirement

Students must successfully complete the PRAXIS II exam before graduation.

Curriculum for Professional Counseling

A total of 60 credits are required for students seeking the Licensed Professional Counselor-In Training (LPC-IT) endorsement from Concordia. 

Practicum for Professional Counselor

The student seeking licensure as a Professional Counselor in Wisconsin will be required to complete 700 hours of practicum/internship experiences. Each applicant must be supervised at each practicum site according to Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) criteria and will be assigned a CUW site supervisor. A practicum agreement between the student, Concordia University, and each receiving site/agency/hospital are required for each practicum placement. The practicum allows the student to work as a counselor in a community setting and may include experiences such as assessment and implementation of counseling programs, individual and group counseling, and consultation with other community agencies. Applications for practicum can be made after prerequisite coursework is completed.

After graduation from the CUW Master of Science in Education-Counseling program, students will be eligible to apply for the LPC-IT license through DSPS. DSPS establishes the specific post-graduation requirements to receive the LPC-IT.

Course options and schedule are subject to change.

Course options and schedule are subject to change.