At Concordia, professional counseling is more than clinical expertise—it’s also about caring for the whole person.
In his video, “What It Means to Become a Therapist” (watch here), Forrest Hanson reflects on the profound privilege of walking with people through their deepest struggles. He shares how therapy is more than just a career—it’s a calling to listen, guide, and bring hope when life feels overwhelming.
For many, Hanson’s perspective sparks a question: Could I do that? Could I step into people’s stories, meet them in their pain, and help them discover resilience, healing, and growth?
If that’s the stirring you, CUW’s Master of Science in Education Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and School Counseling program offer a faithful and practical pathway forward.
How CUW prepares you for counseling
At Concordia, professional counseling is more than clinical expertise—it’s also about caring for the whole person. Rooted in CUW’s Lutheran mission of developing students in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world, the counseling program equips you with both evidence-based skills and a faith-informed foundation of compassion.
What sets CUW’s program apart:
- Christ-centered formation: Courses explore the integration of faith, ethics, and professional practice so you learn to serve clients with integrity and respect.
- Comprehensive training: You’ll gain the knowledge needed for licensure as a professional counselor, with coursework in mental health, career counseling, trauma, and family systems.
- Hands-on experience: Supervised practicums and internships provide real-world learning, preparing you to meet clients with confidence.
- Mentorship and community: Faculty members serve not only as instructors but also as mentors, modeling servant leadership and walking alongside you as you discern your vocation.
Suggested undergraduate pathways at CUW
Many students begin preparing for a counseling career during their undergraduate years. While a variety of majors can lead into CUW’s professional counseling program, these pathways provide a particularly strong foundation and are also offered in Concordia’s online format:
- Applied Psychology (Bachelor of Arts): Offers deep insight into human behavior, development, and mental processes, serving as a natural springboard to counseling.
- Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work): Prepares students to serve diverse populations and equips them with practical skills for helping professions.
- Rehabilitation Science (BSRS): Focuses on supporting individuals with disabilities or recovery needs, aligning closely with counseling’s emphasis on advocacy and care.
- Education – Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, and Special (Bachelor of Arts): Students drawn to school counseling often major in education, gaining firsthand understanding of student development and classroom dynamics. CUW also offers a School Counseling Licensure.
- Theological Studies (Bachelor of Arts): For students called to integrate counseling with church work or ministry, these degrees provide a Christ-centered framework for service.
CUW undergraduates also benefit from research opportunities, student organizations, and field placements that allow them to explore interests in human services and gain early experience in helping professions.
Student spotlight:
“I started as a psychology major at CUW because I wanted to understand people better. Through my professors and chapel community, I realized God was calling me to walk alongside others in a deeper way. Now I’m in CUW’s professional counseling program, and I feel both equipped and supported to live out that calling.” — Emily, CUW alumna and current counseling graduate student
Faculty perspective:
“As helping professionals, counselors are given the privilege to help others. The graduate counseling program at CUW sets this as a precedent with their standards and expectations of their students. Students learn about who they are as a person, as a Christian, and as a future counselor, and yet have opportunities to work alongside other students in practical application, all with the support of their professors. When students leave CUW, they gain not only a counseling degree, but professors and students who become fellow colleagues and resources in the field.” – Carla Herried, MS, CFD and CUW adjunct professor
A vocation that serves
Concordia’s vision is to prepare graduates to assume significant servant leadership responsibilities in the Church and communities across the nation and the world. For professional counseling students, that means graduating ready to enter schools, agencies, hospitals, churches, or private practice—anywhere people need healing presence and skilled guidance.
Like Forrest Hanson describes, counseling is about showing up faithfully for others. At CUW, you’ll be equipped not only with professional excellence but also with a Christ-centered heart for service.
Take the next step
If Hanson’s video sparked something in you, now may be the time to explore how CUW can help you pursue this calling. Learn more about CUW’s professional counseling program here.
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. CUW’s Online undergraduate and graduate classes are offered year-round, with students beginning courses in two eight-week mini-terms during the Spring, Summer, and Fall for most programs. Take action and connect with Concordia University’s admission team by visiting CUW Online Undergraduate Admissions for undergraduate degrees or Graduate Admissions for master’s degrees and licenses or by calling 262-243-4300.