MACOMB/MOLINE, ILLINOIS (October 14, 2026) — Western Illinois University’s School Counseling Program has been named among the “Best Master’s in School Counseling” programs for 2027 by MastersinCounseling.
“WIU’s school counseling program meets the high demand for qualified professionals in Illinois and Iowa through rigorous academic study, practical clinical training, and active K-12 involvement. Guided by experienced faculty who are former K-12 school counselors, the program prepares graduates to address critical workforce shortages and support the unique needs of K-12 students,” Matthew Beck, WIU professor and program coordinator of School Counseling, said.
WIU is ranked N° 5 in Illinois on MastersinCounseling’s list of the Top School Counseling Master’s Programs in Illinois for 2027 and second in public universities.
According to MastersinCounseling, the ranking considers CACREP and Illinois State Board of Education accreditation, institutional graduation rates, tuition, net price, and graduate earnings outcomes. The organization said its rankings are based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, College Scorecard graduate earnings data, independent program research, and its internal program database.
MastersinCounseling identified ten Illinois schools offering eleven Master’s-level school counseling program options, including concentrations and hybrid formats.
WIU’s campus-based School Counseling master’s program is CACREP-accredited and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, according to MastersinCounseling. The program combines coursework with clinical experiences focused on academic, postsecondary/career and personal/social development.
For more information on the rankings, visit go.wiu.edu/4rT2dil.
Join WIU’s Counseling program at 10:30AM, Friday, November 20, on the WIU-Quad Cities campus to learn more about a career in counseling through CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling tracks. Enjoy food, network with faculty and current students, and learn about application expectations and career pathways. To register for the event, please complete your RSVP at go.wiu.edu/4y5vAzn.
The school counseling program is a cohort that begins in the Fall semester and has an application deadline of Monday, February 1, for the Fall 2027 term. For additional information regarding the program and options, email the Counselor Education Program Coordinator, Matthew Beck, at mj-beck@wiu.edu.
WIU offers the School Counseling program in person only on the WIU-Quad Cities campus. For more information on the program, visit wiu.edu/coehs/cnedcsp/cned_sc.php.
