Popular Accredited Online LPC and LCPC Programs in Illinois [2025 Updated Guide]

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) programs in Illinois give you the essential education and qualifications required to begin a career in mental health counseling. By earning the LPC credential, you open access to multiple professional opportunities within Florida’s mental health sector.

These programs usually combine structured coursework with extensive supervised clinical practice, ensuring that you are fully prepared to address the various challenges you may encounter in counseling and mental health care environments.

This article introduces you to several well-known LPC and LCPC programs in Illinois, emphasizing their specific features and explaining how they meet the needs of those who aim to become mental health professionals.

Online LPC Programs in Illinois

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online LPC programs in Illinois:

• Eastern Illinois University
• National Louis University
• Northwestern University
• University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign
• The Chicago School
• Northern Illinois University
• Butler University
• Southern New Hampshire University

Eastern Illinois University

Master of Science (MS) in Counseling

At Eastern Illinois University, you can pursue a Master of Science in Counseling. This program is structured to provide you with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to work as a licensed professional counselor or as a school counselor in Illinois. The program is nationally accredited by CACREP.

You will join a small group of students and work closely with faculty. Over the course of study, you will complete 1000 hours of supervised practice in professional settings that prepare you to become a capable, ethical, and understanding counselor.

This program gives you the qualifications required for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Illinois if you specialize in Clinical Mental Health, or for the Professional Educator License (PEL) if you concentrate on School Counseling.

If you focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling, courses include:

• Theories of Counseling: You study various counseling theories, their development, perspectives on personality, and how to apply them with diverse groups.
• Basic Counseling Skills: You build a foundation in counseling skills through readings, discussions, and role-play.
• Cross-Cultural Counseling: You examine how social and cultural factors influence counseling.
• Human Development for Counselors: You learn how growth occurs at different life stages and how to provide suitable support.
• Group Counseling: You explore group dynamics, theories, and methods to apply in group settings.
• Family Counseling: You study family dynamics and strategies for counseling couples and families.
• Addictions Counseling: You are introduced to addiction treatment, therapies, and ethical concerns.
• Diagnosing and Treatment Planning: You learn diagnostic guidelines and how to develop treatment plans using recognized clinical manuals.

If your concentration is School Counseling, courses include:

• Emerging Issues in School Counseling: You analyze current challenges and legal structures.
• Career Counseling: You study career development and learn strategies to guide individuals.
• Play Therapy: You examine play as a therapeutic approach for children and adolescents.
• Foundations and Management of School Counseling Programs: You learn how to design and manage school counseling programs.
• School Supervised Experience: You gain 900 hours of supervised training to build your counseling skills.
• Theory Into Practice: You study curriculum design and current educational trends.
• Appraisal: You learn to use different assessment tools in counseling.

Beginning in your second semester, you will take part in practicum and internship experiences. These opportunities allow you to apply classroom learning to professional environments, under close supervision both at the site and at the university.

In both concentrations, you must complete either a final comprehensive examination or a thesis before graduation.

The goals of this program are to:

• Show mastery of the core competencies outlined by CACREP.
• Demonstrate specialized knowledge in either clinical mental health counseling or school counseling.
• Maintain a professional attitude throughout your studies.
• Develop strong communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Engage in advanced research or creative projects.
• Graduate as a counselor who is qualified, ethical, and culturally aware, aligned with the mission of the university.

Admission requirements for the program include:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Official transcripts.
• Three Letter of Reference.

National Louis University

Master of Science (MS) in Counseling

Taking part in the Master of Science in Counseling program at National Louis University gives you the opportunity to prepare for a meaningful career in various settings, including schools, private practices, and mental health centers. The MS in Counseling program at NLU Illinois is accredited by CACREP.

You will select between two main options: Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. If you choose School Counseling without already holding a Professional Educator License, you will complete additional coursework.

Key highlights of the program include:

1. Professional Licensure: The program prepares you for certification exams, including the National Board for Certified Counselors examination for the Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) credential and/or the Illinois exam for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
2. Hands-On Experience: You will complete a 600-hour internship that allows you to apply classroom learning under the supervision of a licensed counselor.
3. Customized Degree: You can align your studies with your professional goals by choosing from different concentrations and licensure paths.
4. Expert Faculty: Faculty members bring professional counseling experience and ensure you remain informed of current theories and practices.
5. Student Organization: As a student, you automatically join the National Louis University Counseling Association, a community that advances socially conscious and compassionate counseling practices in Illinois.

To graduate, you must complete between 60 and 67 semester hours, depending on your concentration. The curriculum also requires a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship, both of which provide real-world counseling experience.

Your studies will cover topics such as:

• Human Behavior and Development: You learn the stages of growth and how social and environmental factors affect behavior and relationships.
  Counseling Theories and Practice: You examine major counseling and psychotherapy theories, ethical approaches, and techniques including crisis intervention and play therapy.
  Clinical Skills: You develop interviewing skills and learn about the counselor’s role while considering the effects of public policy and social issues.
  Treatments: You gain knowledge in psychopharmacology and review the effectiveness of treatments, including approaches for substance abuse.

Core courses include:

• Fundamentals of Counseling
• Theories of Counseling
• Clinical Techniques of Counseling
• Human Development Theory
• Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
• Introduction to Theory and Practice of Family Therapy
• Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling

With this program, you will be prepared for careers such as:

• Academic Counselor
• Career Counselor
• Marriage and Family Counselor
• Mental Health Counselor
• School Counselor
• Substance Abuse Counselor

Admission requirements include:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Official transcripts from all institutions where you earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
• Three professional references.
• A graduate admission essay.
• A faculty review or interview if required.

Northwestern University

Online Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling

By enrolling in the CACREP-accredited online Master of Arts in Counseling program at Northwestern University, you prepare yourself to become a licensed clinical mental health counselor, qualified to support people from varied backgrounds. You may work with individuals dealing with addiction, relationship challenges, or behavioral issues in youth.

To earn your degree, you must complete 24 courses and a two-stage clinical practice, which equals a 60-credit hour program. The design of the program allows flexible pacing, letting you choose from accelerated, traditional, or part-time study paths. You can graduate within 1.5 to 3 years. The program provides two routes:

Standard Program: You will complete 24 graduate-level courses, a practicum, and an internship. An undergraduate degree in psychology or a related discipline is required.

Bridge to Counseling Program: If you do not have an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related area, you will take three introductory courses in your first quarter.

Some of the core courses include:

• Research Methods in Counseling
• Psychodynamic Counseling
• Psychopathology and Diagnosis in Counseling
• Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy
• Assessment in Counseling
• Foundations of Family, Marital, and Couples Counseling
• Theory & Technique of Substance Abuse

Throughout your coursework, you will study crucial topics needed for licensure, including cultural competence, ethics, client advocacy, community engagement, growth across life stages, and effective counseling methods. You will learn to address core thoughts and emotions that shape behavior.

The program emphasizes applied learning, requiring 800 total hours of practicum and internship to develop your counseling skills. The clinical placement team at Northwestern helps you secure a training site that matches program standards, and each placement is supervised by a licensed counselor who provides feedback. If you prefer a specific site, the team will review it for approval.

Although your classes are online, you receive the same education as on-campus students. You are required to travel to Illinois twice for immersion sessions: the New Student Immersion and the Group Dynamics Immersion, a three-day event during your practicum.

If your interest is in child and adolescent counseling, a dedicated pathway allows you to specialize. This option includes two advanced courses in your second year focused on developmental needs and mental health issues among young clients, while still preparing you to counsel adults.

Toward the end of your program, instead of a comprehensive exam, you will complete an online capstone project where you present the knowledge and skills you have acquired. This serves as preparation for transitioning into licensed professional practice.

After graduation, you may find employment in diverse environments, such as:

• Community mental health centers
• Inpatient and outpatient clinics and hospitals
• Research institutions
• University student services
• Career services
• Private practice

Admission requirements for the program include:

• $98 application fee
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Official transcripts
• Three professional references
• Group interview
• GRE scores not required

University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign

Master of Science (MS) in Mental Health Counseling

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides a two-year Master of Science program in Mental Health Counseling. Through this 61-credit hour program, you will receive in-person instruction focused on the scientific principles of psychology and the significance of cultural diversity when assisting people across different age groups.

After you graduate, you will be prepared to apply for the LPC credential in Illinois, pursue doctoral studies, or begin working as a professional at the master’s level within the counseling field.

In your first year, you will participate in a practicum, contributing about seven hours each week to reach a total of 100 hours. During your second year, you will complete an internship, dedicating approximately 18 hours weekly, which adds up to 600 hours of training. This extensive practical experience will allow you to see how psychological theories function in applied settings while preparing you to focus on one of three options: Mental Health Counseling, Career Counseling, or Counseling and Developmental Sciences.

The program follows a scientist-practitioner model, ensuring you gain knowledge of how research and professional practice reinforce one another. At the start, you will concentrate on essential courses covering research methods, counseling practice, and foundations of mental health counseling. As you advance, you will select courses that match your career goals while meeting program requirements.

Some of the main courses in the curriculum include:

• Historical and Social Barriers: You will examine how race and class have historically influenced access to education.
• Research Methods in Learning Sciences: You will learn to conduct research using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Theories of Psychotherapy: This course provides an in-depth review of counseling theories and the historical movements behind them.
• Vocational Psychology Theories and Assessment: You will study the theories and assessments used to support career development.
• Multicultural Counseling: This course builds your ability to counsel individuals from varied cultural groups.
• Group Counseling: You will learn the methods of group counseling, supported with case studies, films, and recordings.
• Counseling Psychology Ethics: This course addresses ethical issues in counseling and their connection to wider social concerns.

This program is self-funded, with limited financial aid options available through the university.

Admission requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Official transcripts
• Three letters of reference

How Much Do Licensed Mental Health Counselors Make in Illinois?

As of August 2025, the average annual salary for a licensed mental health counselor working in Illinois is $77,620. More experienced mental health counselors working in Illinois make over $120,000 per year.