Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Alaska
Counseling Schools Search
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Alaska mental health counselors are licensed by the Alaska Board of Professional Counselors. The board licenses marital and family therapists and associate marital and family therapists, physical and occupational therapists (and associates in each), and professional counselors. School counselors in Alaska are licensed by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
For licensure by credentials, professional counselors in Alaska are required to have successfully completed 60 acceptable graduate units in counseling or a related field, defined as psychology, marital and family therapy, social work, and applied behavioral science. The board only licenses applicants from other states whose standards meet or exceed Alaska’s.
For licensure by examination, professional counselors in Alaska are required to have successfully completed a 60-hour master’s degree or doctorate degree in counseling or a related field as well as having successfully passed the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) within the last three years. Applicants should also verify having completed at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience in the practice of professional counseling after having received the degree that includes at least 1,000 hours of direct counseling with individuals, couples, families, or groups, and at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision. Forty hours of continuing education are required per two-year licensing period for licensed professional counselor license renewals in Alaska.
In order to work as a school counselor in Alaska, applicants must have a Type C certificate. Fields covered by these endorsements include school counseling, audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school nursing, school psychology, school psychometry, school social work, speech pathology, and library science media.
To qualify for a regular Type C Special Services certificate, an applicant must have completed a bachelor’s or higher degree that includes approved Alaska studies courses and multicultural education/cross-cultural communications. For an endorsement in school psychology, applicants must also hold a master’s or higher degree in school psychology; be recommended by an institution whose school psychology program has been approved by NCATE (National Association of School Psychologists) or the American Psychological Association; and have completed a 1,200-hour internship (with 600 of the hours in a school setting) or be certified under the certification system of the National Association of School Psychologists.
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Alaska requires that all marriage and family counseling license applicants have a master’s or doctoral degree in marital and family therapy or an allied mental health field from a regionally accredited institution along with passing an exam approved by the board, as well as the completion of 1,700 hours of post-degree direct clinical contact with individuals, families, and couples. Domestic violence training is also a requirement.
There is an increased demand everywhere for licensed counselors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021), forecasts that job openings in counseling fields will grow 23 percent nationally from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. The need for counselors, in general, will grow as a growing population seeks mental health counseling. Demand for rehabilitation counselors is expected to grow at a rate of 10 percent in the same decade. On the other hand, the job outlook for marriage and family therapists is expected to grow at a rate of 16 percent.
Overall, students who pursue counseling degrees and licenses in Alaska can find rewarding and stable careers. Read on for accredited schools offering programs for counseling degrees and licenses in Alaska.
Featured Counseling Programs | ||
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Grand Canyon University | Graduate Certificate - Christian Counseling | Program Website |
Grand Canyon University | MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Program Website |
Grand Canyon University | MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders | Program Website |
Northwestern University | Online MA - Counseling | Program Website |
Northwestern University | Online MA - Counseling: Child and Adolescent Emphasis | Program Website |
Lamar University | M.Ed. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Program Website |
Lamar University | M.Ed. - Counseling & Development - Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling | Program Website |
Lamar University | M.Ed. - Counseling & Development - Professional School Counseling | Program Website |
Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Addictions | Program Website |
Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Mental Health | Program Website |
Arizona State University | Addiction and Substance-Use Related Disorders (Graduate Certificate) | Program Website |
Arizona State University | Behavioral Health - Clinical (DBH) | Program Website |
Arizona State University | Counseling and Applied Psychological Science (BS) | Program Website |
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Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Alaska
University of Alaska Fairbanks – School of Education
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public research university that is the flagship school of the University of Alaska system. UAF was established in 1917 and opened for classes in 1922.
The School of Education offers programs in elementary education, secondary education, counseling, curriculum and instruction, and reading at both the post-baccalaureate and graduate levels, resulting in a master of education degree. Students who complete the school counseling track are eligible to be certified as school counselors in Alaska. Students who complete the clinical mental health counseling track are eligible for licensure as professional counselors with additional post-degree requirements.
The UAF School of Education meets requirements set forth by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development for licensure as school counselors. Courses are available on-site and by distance delivery through the Kuskokwim, Bristol Bay, Interior Alaska, Chukchi, and Northwest campuses, as well as on the Fairbanks campus.
- Location: College, Alaska
- Duration: School counseling is 48 credits; clinical mental health counseling is 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $539 per credit, Alaska resident; $1,105 per credit, non-resident
Alaska Pacific University – Institute of Health & Wellness
Alaska Pacific University is a private university established as Alaska Methodist University in 1957. Its name changed to Alaska Pacific University in 1978, but the school is still affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
The school offers a master’s degree in counseling psychology. This master of science in counseling psychology (MSCP) degree provides the education needed to apply for the Licensed Professional Counselor credential in Alaska. MSCP coursework is delivered through synchronous online, evening classes and on-campus intensives every six weeks during the semester.
- Location: Anchorage, Alaska
- Duration: 63 credits
- Accreditation: Alaska Pacific University is accredited by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities
- Tuition: $7,800 for 12 credits, plus fees
How Much Do Counselors Make in Alaska?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2020—the latest data available as of January 2022.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
United States | Alaska | |
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Number employed | 292,230 | 680 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $61,000 | $68,270 |
10th percentile | $34,380 | $42,800 |
50th percentile (median) | $57,040 | $64,040 |
90th percentile | $96,090 | $102,970 |
Rehabilitation Counselors
United States | Alaska | |
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Number employed | 100,260 | 280 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $40,160 | $48,360 |
10th percentile | $23,820 | $33,220 |
50th percentile (median) | $39,950 | $43,840 |
90th percentile | $63,790 | $76,150 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
United States | Alaska | |
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Number employed | 293,620 | 990 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $49,950 | $61,980 |
10th percentile | $29,520 | $36,700 |
50th percentile (median) | $46,240 | $58,040 |
90th percentile | $76,080 | $96,150 |
Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists
United States | Alaska | |
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Number employed | 27,310 | 230 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $48,800 | $81,490 |
10th percentile | $27,030 | $41,950 |
50th percentile (median) | $42,930 | $80,990 |
90th percentile | $77,590 | $124,340 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Alaska
- Alaska Marriage & Family Therapy Associates (AKMFT)
- Alaska Board of Marital and Family Therapy
- Alaska School Counselor Association
- Alaska Behavioral Health Association
- Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
- Faces and Voices of Recovery Alaska
- Front Line Leadership-Trust Training Cooperative
- Governor’s Advisory Board on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Rural Human Service (RHS) Program
- State of Alaska – Division of Behavioral Health
- The Alaska Addiction Professionals Association (AAPA)
- The Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Training (RADACT) Program
- Trust Training Cooperative
- Alaska Association of Collaborative Professionals
- Alaska Psychological Association
- Alaska Counseling Association
- NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals – Alaska Chapter
- Alaska Association for Play Therapy
- Alaska Careline for Suicide Prevention
- Southcentral Foundation Behavioral Health Services for Alaska Native and American Indian People
- Gay and Lesbian Help-line Alaska
- Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis
- STAR Advocates – Standing Together Against Rape
- Volunteers of America Alaska
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Alaska: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Board of Professional Counselors | Alaska credentials Professional Counselors through the Board of Professional Counselors. Candidates may be licensed through credentials or examination. To be licensed through credentials, candidates must:
Candidates applying for licensure through examination must:
| Licensed counselors in Alaska are required to renew their licenses biennially. To renew, they must:
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School Counseling Licenses in Alaska
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Alaska Department of Education & Early Development |
School counselors in Alaska must earn a Type C Special Services Certificate. For initial certification, candidates must:
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School counselors Type C certificates are valid for five years. To renew a certificate, counselors must:
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Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Alaska
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification (ACBHC) |
Alaska certifies Counselor Technicians, Chemical Dependency Counselors I, Chemical Dependency Counselors II, and Clinical Supervisors. Counselor Technician certification requirements include:
If the candidate doesn’t have a degree, they must have a total of 84 hours of education, including the following: eight hours of documentation, eight hours of crisis intervention, 12 hours of client-centered counseling, eight hours of group counseling, twelve hours of working with diverse populations, eight hours of community resources use and case management, and eight hours of recovery, health, wellness and balance. To earn a Chemical Dependency Counselor I certification, candidates must have:
If the candidate doesn’t have a degree, they must have a total of 148 hours fo education, including the courses required for the technician certification, as well as 12 hours psycho-physiology, 16 hours motivational interviewing, 12 hours DSM practice, 12 hours ASAM practice, and 12 hours co-occurring disorders. To earn a Chemical Dependency Counselor II certification, candidates must have:
If the candidate doesn’t have a degree, they must have a total of 176 hours of education. It must include courses required for the technician certification and level I, as well as 16 hours of special issues in behavioral health services and 12 hours of documentation and quality assurance. To earn the Clinical Supervisors certification, candidates must have:
If the candidate doesn’t have a degree, they must have a total of 206 hours of education, including the courses required for the technician, level I, and level II certifications, as well as 30 hours of principles and practices of supervision. |
Certifications in Alaska must be renewed every two years. Fees are the following: Counselor Technicians $165, Chemical Dependency Counselor I $180, Chemical Dependency Counselor II $195, and Clinical Supervisors $215. No continuing education hours are required. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Alaska
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Board of Professional Counselors |
Rehabilitation counselors in Alaska must be Licensed Professional Counselors through the Board of Professional Counselors. Candidates may be licensed through credentials or examination. To be licensed through credentials, candidates must:
Candidates applying for licensure through examination must:
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Rehabilitation counselors (licensed counselors) in Alaska are required to renew their licenses biennially. In order to renew they must:
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Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Alaska
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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ABA therapists in Alaska must obtain either a Behavior Analyst or Assistant Behavior Analyst license. Candidates for an Assistant Behavior Analyst license must:
Requirements for a Licensed Behavior Analyst credential are:
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Both the Behavior Analyst and Assistant Behavior Analyst licenses in Alaska must be renewed biennially. The cost for an analyst to renew is $100, while the cost for an assistant is $50. There are no continuing education requirements for Alaska; however, there are continuing education requirements to maintain a BCBA national certification. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Alaska
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing Board of Marital and Family Therapy |
The Alaska Board of Marital and Family Therapy licenses Marital and Family Therapy Associates and Marital and Family Therapists. Marital and Family Therapy Associate license requirements are:
The requirements for a Marital and Family Therapist license are:
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Marital and Family Therapy Associate licenses in Alaska are valid for four years and may not be renewed. Marital and Family Therapist licenses issued in Alaska expire on December 31st of odd-numbered years. The fee to renew is $1,250. To renew, therapists must complete 45 hours of continuing education. The hours must include two hours in ethics, two hours in addictions, two hours in cross-cultural education, and two hours in domestic violence. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Alaska
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Board of Professional Counselors |
Child therapists in Alaska must be Licensed Professional Counselors through the Board of Professional Counselors. Candidates may be licensed through credentials or examination. To be licensed through credentials, candidates must:
Candidates applying for licensure through examination must:
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Child therapists (licensed counselors) in Alaska are required to renew their licenses biennially. To renew they must:
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