University of West Alabama (UWA) Online Master’s in Counseling
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The University of West Alabama (UWA) is a public university founded in 1835. It offers more than 70 online degree and certification programs with faculty holding advanced degrees and real-world experience. UWA provides online master’s degrees in school counseling (MEd), clinical mental health counseling (MS), and guidance and counseling (MS), all CACREP-accredited.
These 60-credit programs feature 8-week courses, affordable tuition, and flexible online delivery for working adults, with personal enrollment and success coach support from application to graduation. All programs include a four-day on-campus residency for the pre-practicum in counseling course and hands-on practicums/internships. They emphasize counseling techniques, multicultural populations, crisis intervention, and ethical practices taught by licensed professionals.
The MEd in school counseling is a three-year program for certified teachers with two years experience, leading to Alabama teaching certification. It prepares for advocacy, assessment, and counseling in schools through courses such as introduction to school counseling; theories and techniques of counseling; counseling multicultural populations; and practicum in school counseling.
The MS in clinical mental health counseling takes two to three years and prepares students for support roles in private practice, hospitals, agencies, and treatment centers. Students study theories and diagnostics through courses including introduction to clinical mental health counseling; theories and techniques of counseling; practicum in clinical mental health counseling; and internship in clinical mental health counseling.
The MS in guidance and counseling takes two to three years for non-teachers lacking certification, mirroring the MEd content for P-12 roles. It covers school-focused skills through courses such as introduction to school counseling; counseling children and adolescents; strategies for crisis intervention; and internship in school counseling.
Admission to all programs requires meeting the School of Graduate Studies criteria, including fingerprints or background clearance. The MEd program needs a valid baccalaureate teaching certification or master’s-level instructional support certificate, as well as two years of satisfactory educational experience.
The MS clinical mental health counseling requires Graduate School admission and background clearance. MS guidance and counseling involves phase I: Graduate School admission/background clearance, and phase II: a portfolio with a resume, a professional goals essay, three recommendation forms, and a video interview.
Regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, Alabama. All three counseling master’s programs hold CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accreditation.
M.Ed – School Counseling
MS – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MS – Guidance and Counseling
100 US-11Livingston, Alabama
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
No
1 – 1 mandatory on-campus residency visit
60
Fall, Fall II, Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II
Can be completed in 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
2.75 or higher
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$429.00
$25,740.00
$429.00
$25,740.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
1 – 1 mandatory on-campus residency visit
60
Fall, Fall II, Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II
Can be completed in 2-3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
2.75 or higher
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$429.00
$25,740.00
$429.00
$25,740.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
No
1 – 1 mandatory on-campus residency visit
60
Fall, Fall II, Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II
Can be completed in 2-3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
2.75 or higher
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$429.00
$25,740.00
$429.00
$25,740.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).