Lakeland University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

School Counseling

The school counseling emphasis is 51 credits and focuses on the knowledge, skills, and disposition for our graduate students to become professionally licensed school counselors. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, including completion of all required coursework, internships and Portfolio, students are granted the master's degree and are endorsed to apply to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for the PreK-12 school counselor educator license.

Professional school counselors are employed in elementary, middle/junior high, and high schools. Through their leadership, school counselors address all students’ academic, career and personal/social development needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. School Counseling requires individuals who provide leadership, advocacy, and collaboration with a focus on systemic change and student outcomes. School counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community. Their major functions include providing direct services to students by delivering school counseling core curriculum (classroom sessions), individual student planning, and responsive services. School counselors also provide in-direct services such as referrals for additional assistance, consultation, and collaboration working with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organization, management within the school counseling program, and ongoing formative assessments of their school counseling program.

Clinical Mental Health

The clinical mental health counseling emphasis is 60 credits and focuses on the knowledge, skills, and disposition for our graduate students to meet the curriculum requirements for the Professional Counselor-In Training Licensure in the state of Wisconsin. In addition, as a pre-approved program for the Professional Counselor in Training Licensure, Lakeland’s 60-credit MAC program is also an approved Substance Abuse Counselor in Training Education program. When students graduate within the 60-credit program including internships working within the addiction field under the required supervision, they have met many of the requirements needed to apply for their Substance Abuse Counselor license.

Students entering the clinical mental health counseling track intend to focus their work in settings such as community mental health centers, inpatient facilities, vocational or employment counseling agencies, family service agencies, correctional institutions, private practice, or social service agencies. Their work can vary depending on the setting in which they work and the population they serve. Clinical mental health counselors find themselves working with children, adolescents, adults, or families, many of whom have multiple issues ranging from mental health disorders and addiction to disability and employment needs. Clinical mental health counselors are trained and equipped to recognize the needs of their clients and can provide clients with appropriate counseling and support. Clinical mental health counselors work closely with other mental health specialists such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and school counselors. Lakeland University’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is an approved educational program in professional counseling through the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Higher Education Counseling & Student Affairs:

The higher education counseling & student affairs emphasis is 48 credits master’s degree focusing on the knowledge, skills, and disposition for graduate students who plan to seek employment in post-secondary settings such as community colleges, technical colleges, public and private colleges, and universities. In the higher education counseling & student affairs seminar course, students are given an opportunity to explore the history and structure of student services, student developmental theories, specific positions within the field, and competencies and skills necessary to work as a student development professional. The foundation of the emphasis in higher education counseling & student affairs is built on the essential counseling skills that promote the success of student services professionals. While there are numerous and diverse opportunities in the field of higher education counseling & student affairs, past graduates have found positions in residence life, admissions, financial aid, career services, recruitment, academic advising, and special programs such as providing services for culturally diverse and international students on college and university campuses.

Lakeland University continues to deliver high quality programs through a flexible delivery system that closely fits the busy lives of adult learners. At Lakeland University, you will find unmatched flexibility. Graduate courses typically meet once per week during the evening hours over 12-week semesters in fall, spring, and summer. Additionally, some of the graduate courses are offered face-to-face, online and synchronous LIVE.

The MAC program and curriculum are designed to prepare counselors to meet professional, state, and national standards.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. This means upon graduation students are eligible to apply for the Licensed Professional Counselor- in Training and Substance Abuse Certification.

The School Counseling program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This means upon graduation students are eligible to apply for their licensure as a PreK-12 School Counselor.

The Higher Education Counseling & Student Affairs program is aligned with standards found within the council for the Advancement of Standard in Higher Education and professional competencies endorsed by the American College Personnel Association.

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program can typically be completed in approximately 2.5 to 3 years, depending on a student's course load and chosen concentration. Most students take two or three courses each semester, although completion timelines can vary based on individual schedules and enrollment preferences.

Example completion timelines:

Clinical Mental Health (60 credit hours)

Fall-Semester 1: 3 =9 credits

Spring-Semester 2: 4=12 credits

Summer-Semester 3: 4=12 credits

Fall-Semester 4: 4 =12 credits

• Spring-Semester 5: 4=12 credits
• Summer- Semester 6: 1=3 credits
• School Counseling (51 credit hours)
• Fall-Semester 1: 3 =9 credits
• Spring-Semester 2: 4=12 credits
• Summer-Semester 3: 4=12 credits
• Fall-Semester 4: 3 =9 credits
• Spring-Semester 5: 3=9 credits
• Higher Education Counseling & Student Affairs (48 credit hours)
• Fall-Semester 1: 3 =9 credits
• Spring-Semester 2: 4=12 credits
• Summer-Semester 3: 3=9 credits
• Fall-Semester 4: 3 =9 credits
• Spring-Semester 5: 3=9 credits