OPT Mental Health Counseling Jobs
Mental health counseling roles on OPT require careful attention to licensure timelines, since most states require supervised hours before full licensure and those hours can count during your OPT period. STEM OPT extension is not available for this field, so your 12-month window matters from day one.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Macomb, IL
Category: Faculty Positions
Job Type: FT - Continuous
Posted On: Fri Nov 6 2026
Job Description:
APPOINTMENT: AUGUST 19, 2027
Responsibilities:
The Counselor Education Program invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track assistant professor position, with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The successful candidate will assume a range of responsibilities including: teaching graduate courses in the Counselor Education programs, providing clinical supervision and academic advising; participating in broad-based university, college, and departmental committee work and professional service; and conducting research and scholarly activity. Opportunities to teach a wide array of didactic and clinical courses exist. Summer school opportunities may also be available.
SALARY & RANK:
$66,978 - $75,006 per year. 9-month, full-time, tenure-track appointment.
Western Illinois University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans, (HMO's, OAP's, QCHP, and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long-Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts (HAS, MCAP, and DCAP), 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans.
Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.
Other benefits available to eligible employees include: paid time-off, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Waiver programs, and discounts to the local YMCA.
For a full list of benefits as a WIU employee, please visit our Benefits Homepage: https://www.wiu.edu/human_resources/benefits/.
For questions on benefits, or eligibility, contact our benefits team at HR-Benefits@wiu.edu or by calling 309-298-1971.
Job Requirements:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- An earned doctorate in Counselor Education from a CACREP accredited program by date of appointment.
- An established professional identity as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educator through affiliation with relevant counseling associations.
- Evidence of successful teaching and communication skills in Counselor Education.
- Experience providing supervision to counselors-in-training.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to evidence-based clinical mental health counseling practices.
- Post-master or doctoral degree experience as a professional counselor.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Contribute to the connectivity between faculty, staff, and students in the professional environment.
- Experience with CACREP standards and familiarity with the accreditation process.
- Experience in hybrid and online instruction and development.
- A demonstrated ability to actively collaborate and communicate with colleagues, local stakeholders, and within the profession.
- A demonstrated interest in working with diverse populations and advocacy issues.
- Identified research agenda and interest in working with research teams.
- Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. If not currently licensed, describe in detail the steps needed to be completed to obtain licensure, which is required for tenure.
For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). Unless otherwise stated, the degree must be conferred at the time of appointment.
Additional Information:
THE PROGRAM:
The Counselor Education Program, in the School of Applied Clinical, Educational, and Professional Programs offers a Master of Science in Education in Counseling with two options: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling located on the WIU-Quad Cities campus. The Program offers a unique blend of courses designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent counseling professional. The counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, the School Counseling option is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education.
THE UNIVERSITY:
About WIU
Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.
WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).
WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.
Academics
More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16 post-baccalaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.
Student Resources
More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, athletics, service, academic, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more.
Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities.
WIU Intercollegiate Athletics
The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. All varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Ohio Valley Conference.
Location: Macomb, IL
Category: Faculty Positions
Job Type: FT - Continuous
Posted On: Fri Nov 6 2026
Job Description:
APPOINTMENT: AUGUST 19, 2027
Responsibilities:
The Counselor Education Program invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track assistant professor position, with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The successful candidate will assume a range of responsibilities including: teaching graduate courses in the Counselor Education programs, providing clinical supervision and academic advising; participating in broad-based university, college, and departmental committee work and professional service; and conducting research and scholarly activity. Opportunities to teach a wide array of didactic and clinical courses exist. Summer school opportunities may also be available.
SALARY & RANK:
$66,978 - $75,006 per year. 9-month, full-time, tenure-track appointment.
Western Illinois University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans, (HMO's, OAP's, QCHP, and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long-Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts (HAS, MCAP, and DCAP), 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans.
Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.
Other benefits available to eligible employees include: paid time-off, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Waiver programs, and discounts to the local YMCA.
For a full list of benefits as a WIU employee, please visit our Benefits Homepage: https://www.wiu.edu/human_resources/benefits/.
For questions on benefits, or eligibility, contact our benefits team at HR-Benefits@wiu.edu or by calling 309-298-1971.
Job Requirements:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- An earned doctorate in Counselor Education from a CACREP accredited program by date of appointment.
- An established professional identity as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educator through affiliation with relevant counseling associations.
- Evidence of successful teaching and communication skills in Counselor Education.
- Experience providing supervision to counselors-in-training.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to evidence-based clinical mental health counseling practices.
- Post-master or doctoral degree experience as a professional counselor.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Contribute to the connectivity between faculty, staff, and students in the professional environment.
- Experience with CACREP standards and familiarity with the accreditation process.
- Experience in hybrid and online instruction and development.
- A demonstrated ability to actively collaborate and communicate with colleagues, local stakeholders, and within the profession.
- A demonstrated interest in working with diverse populations and advocacy issues.
- Identified research agenda and interest in working with research teams.
- Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. If not currently licensed, describe in detail the steps needed to be completed to obtain licensure, which is required for tenure.
For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). Unless otherwise stated, the degree must be conferred at the time of appointment.
Additional Information:
THE PROGRAM:
The Counselor Education Program, in the School of Applied Clinical, Educational, and Professional Programs offers a Master of Science in Education in Counseling with two options: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling located on the WIU-Quad Cities campus. The Program offers a unique blend of courses designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent counseling professional. The counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, the School Counseling option is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education.
THE UNIVERSITY:
About WIU
Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.
WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).
WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.
Academics
More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16 post-baccalaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.
Student Resources
More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, athletics, service, academic, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more.
Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities.
WIU Intercollegiate Athletics
The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. All varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Ohio Valley Conference.
See all OPT Mental Health Counseling Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Mental Health Counseling
Target employers who already supervise pre-licensed counselors
Community mental health centers, hospital systems, and university counseling centers regularly hire pre-licensed counselors and provide required supervision hours. These employers understand licensure timelines and are more likely to be familiar with OPT work authorization.
Clarify your licensure status upfront
Be transparent about where you are in the licensure process. Employers hiring for clinical roles need to know whether you hold a provisional license, are working toward one, or require supervision. Ambiguity about licensure status raises more concerns than OPT status itself.
Emphasize your supervised hours as a hiring asset
If you've already completed a portion of your supervised clinical hours during your practicum or internship, quantify them on your resume. Employers value candidates who are closer to independent licensure, since it reduces their onboarding investment and supervision obligations.
Research state-specific licensure requirements before applying
Licensure requirements vary significantly by state. Some states allow pre-licensed counselors to practice under supervision with minimal restrictions, while others impose stricter conditions. Knowing the rules in your target state helps you apply to roles you're actually eligible for.
Frame your multicultural background as a clinical strength
Many employers, especially those serving diverse communities, actively seek counselors with cross-cultural competency. Your international background, bilingual skills, or experience working across cultures can differentiate you from other candidates and directly address patient population needs.
Start the H-1B conversation early with prospective employers
Mental health counseling qualifies as a specialty occupation for H-1B visa purposes, given the master's-level degree requirement. Raising the H-1B topic during late-stage interviews, rather than waiting until your OPT nears expiration, gives employers time to plan and budget for sponsorship.
Mental Health Counseling OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do mental health counseling jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Mental health counseling roles qualify for OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree program, typically a master's in counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or a closely related field. You'll need to ensure your employer and role align with your declared major on your I-20. Note that mental health counseling is not a STEM-designated field, so only the standard 12-month OPT period applies.
Can I work as a mental health counselor on OPT without a full license?
In most states, yes. Pre-licensed counselors working under supervision toward credentials like the LPC, LMHC, or LCPC can work during OPT, provided the employer provides the required supervision. Your employment authorization comes from your OPT status, not your licensure status. That said, some states restrict the settings where pre-licensed counselors can practice, so confirming state-specific rules before accepting a role is important.
Which types of employers are most likely to support OPT for mental health counseling roles?
Community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, hospital behavioral health departments, and university counseling centers tend to be the most familiar with hiring pre-licensed counselors and, by extension, are more open to OPT candidates. Smaller private practices may be less familiar with work authorization requirements. Migrate Mate is a good starting point for finding counseling employers actively open to OPT students.
Does mental health counseling qualify for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Mental health counseling generally qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role typically requires at least a master's degree in counseling or a related clinical field. Employers can sponsor H-1B petitions, and the April lottery deadline means planning needs to start well before your OPT expires. If your OPT ends in the fall or winter, you and your employer should begin the conversation no later than January of that same year.
How do I explain OPT to a mental health employer who has never hired an international candidate?
Keep it simple and practical. OPT is a federal work authorization issued by USCIS that allows you to work in your field of study for up to 12 months after graduation. You have an Employment Authorization Document, and your employer does not need to file anything with USCIS to hire you during OPT. Framing it as straightforward federal authorization, rather than a visa sponsorship request, removes most of the hesitation employers have.