If you are comfortable on a computer, then an online course will be a good option for you. You’ll need some basic computer skills, such as the ability to work with a Word or Excel document, but deep technical expertise isn’t necessary. Your personal student success coach will be able to guide you through the online classroom environment and help with any questions or issues you have.

Successful online students are self-disciplined and approach assignments with the same focus they would in a classroom.

For full compatibility with UWA coursework, Blackboard, and online examinations, students should have regular access to a laptop or desktop computer that meets the following requirements:

  • Windows 11 (excluding Windows S mode) or one of the three most recent versions of macOS
  • 8 GB of RAM or more
  • At least 16 GB of available storage space
  • Screen resolution of 1280 × 768 or higher
  • A stable broadband internet connection; speeds of at least 5 Mbps are recommended
  • The current or immediately preceding version of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari
  • Microsoft 365, provided through your UWA account
  • A functioning webcam and microphone
  • Permission to install required course software, including Respondus LockDown Browser
  • A separate smartphone or tablet with a camera may be required for examinations using Respondus Monitor’s second-camera feature

A wired Ethernet connection or strong Wi-Fi connection is recommended when taking online examinations. Satellite and cellular internet connections may work but can be less reliable, particularly during timed or proctored examinations.

Device Compatibility and Limitations

Chromebooks and iPads can access Blackboard and may support certain Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor examinations. However, these devices may not support every course activity, publisher platform, software application, or examination configuration. Therefore, a Chromebook or iPad is not recommended as a student’s only device.

Linux computers are not supported.

iPads must run iPadOS 15 or later to use the Respondus LockDown Browser app. Use of an iPad may be limited by the settings selected for a particular examination. An iPad cannot be used as the primary testing device when Respondus Monitor’s second-camera feature is required.

Additional technology or software requirements may apply to individual courses or academic programs.

There is no special designation on your transcript or degree that specifies if courses were taken online or in person. Classwork at UWA has the same standard, regardless of how the class is delivered.
Undergraduate tuition is $325 per credit hour, graduate tuition is $429 per credit hour and doctorate tuition is $630 per credit hour. There is a $120 technology fee each semester. Click Here for a complete list of tuition and fees.
The pace is up to you. A full load for online classes is six hours per term (or two classes). UWA offers five online terms per year (each term is eight weeks). That means that if you take a full load each term, you can complete 30 credit hours in one year.

How do I get textbooks and course materials?  Visit the UWA Bookstore to order your required materials.

Find answers to commonly asked questions here.

Not necessarily. It ultimately depends on your learning style. Online classes at UWA are as rigorous as in-person classes. Online classes are conducted on an accelerated pace; if you work well independently, you may find that the flexibility is beneficial and you’ll adapt well to the pace.
Once you apply, must start within year or re-apply and pay new application fee. Once you take a class, you can sit out one calendar year without re-applying.
UWA offers six terms a year that are each eight weeks long in fall through spring. In the summer, terms are six weeks long.
Yes. Please visit our financial aid page for more information about financial aid. You may call the Financial Aid Center at 205-652-3576 or email financialaid@uwa.edu for additional assistance.
Undergraduate scholarships are available to qualifying students. UWA also offers scholarship opportunities through the Teacher Connect, Business Connect, Community College Connect and Military Connect programs. Please check with our Financial Aid Center for other financing options. Call the office at 205-652-3576 or email financialaid@uwa.edu.
This registration page will explain how to enroll in classes here at UWA.

To get started go to www.fafsa.gov and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You will choose UWA with the school code 001024.

In addition to the support we offer from our enrollment counselors who make the application process as smooth as possible, we also provide access to an online digital tool to streamline the financial aid application process. Applying for FAFSA can be an overwhelming experience, which is why we provide a custom website to simplify an otherwise complex process.

UWA’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) tracks utilize the same curriculum as traditional degree programs. You’ll still take the same classes, but you can finish them much faster by demonstrating mastery of core competencies through individual assessments. With CBE, you can complete as many courses as you want each term and graduate sooner.

Yes. In the Competency-Based Education (CBE) track, you’ll take the same courses as other students in your program, but you’ll have the option to complete them much faster. You’ll still have access to support from your instructors and be able to interact with other students in your classes. As CBE learning is more personalized you may even spend more time interacting with faculty members than in a traditional model.

Competency-Based Education (CBE) gives you credit for how much you know, not how much time you spend in class. If you’re in a CBE-eligible program, you can choose the CBE track once you’ve completed the first 60 credit hours required for your degree. Then, you’ll have the opportunity to finish your remaining courses much faster by demonstrating mastery of core competencies.

An online RN to BSN program allows licensed registered nurses with an associate degree to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing without leaving the workforce. UWA’s online RN to BSN program is delivered fully online in a flexible format, emphasizing evidence-based practice and leadership to prepare nurses for advanced roles in today’s health care system.
Tuition for UWA’s online RN to BSN program is $325 per credit hour, plus a $120 technology fee per semester. Approximately 80% of UWA students receive some form of financial aid, and UWA-specific scholarships — including Military Connect — are also available.
To be eligible for UWA’s online RN to BSN program, applicants must hold an active RN license and have completed an associate degree in nursing (ASN). The program contains 2 courses that require clinical hours that can be completed in the student’s community. UWA accepts up to 96 transfer credits, meaning most foundational coursework is already done.
Up to nine semester hours of graduate credit from an accredited institution may be accepted by UWA toward a master’s degree, depending on requirements of the specific program.
Credit must have been earned within a nine-year period prior to completion of the graduate program.
Alternative Teaching Certification programs allow students without an education degree to receive teacher certification and a master’s degree.
The difference between a certification and a non-certification degree is that the certification programs will be recognized on a teacher’s certificate as an additional certification area. Non-certification programs will not be reflected on a teacher’s certificate. Only teachers certified at a lower (or the same) level can enter a certification program. Non-certification programs are open to teachers and non-teachers.
The pace of your program is up to you. Most students finish their graduate program in about 12 months. A full load for online classes is six hours per term (or two classes). UWA offers six online terms per year – Fall/Spring are 8 weeks and Summer is 6 weeks .That means that if you take a full load each term, you can complete 36 credit hours in one year.
The Master of Science in Adult Continuing Education programs at UWA are designed to improve the professional capabilities of individuals working in diverse fields of study in today’s society. They are also meant to advance and support counselors, teachers and all other relevant practitioners of adult education, counseling and training programs.
UWA’s online programs are designed for working teachers. Our students address the internships in a number of ways. Some of our students take a short leave of absence to allow the internship to be done full time. Other students connect with a local school that can offer internship opportunities outside their work hours. This often occurs during after-school programs and summer school programs. Some students are also successful in partnering with a school in a different district that has a different schedule so they can use their breaks for internship hours. Students also find that using personal leave or vacation time can be useful.
An online MBA — Master of Business Administration — is a graduate business degree that develops advanced knowledge in areas such as management, finance, marketing, and strategy. UWA’s online MBA program is accredited by ACBSP and can be completed in just over one year, fully online, in accelerated 8-week courses.
UWA’s online MBA offers 13 concentration areas: Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business, Healthcare Administration, Higher Education Administration, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, and Sport Management. Each is available as a nine-hour emphasis or an 18-hour specialization track.
Graduates of UWA’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are prepared to work with individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children across settings including private practice, hospitals, managed behavioral health care organizations, community mental health agencies, and substance abuse treatment centers. The degree also qualifies graduates to pursue state licensure as an LPC or equivalent.
Tuition for UWA’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is $429 per credit hour, plus a $120 technology fee per semester. The program requires 60 total credit hours, and approximately 80% of UWA students receive some form of financial aid to help offset the cost.
Clinical mental health counselor salaries vary by setting, specialization, and state. Counselors in private practice, hospital systems, and behavioral health organizations typically command higher salaries, while those in community agencies may earn less. Graduates of CACREP.
Yes. View our accreditation page.
WebAdvisor is available online to both current and perspective students.
Yes. The University of West Alabama’s College of Business is accredited by ACBSP, a nationally recognized accrediting organization. UWA’s online MBA has earned national and statewide recognition for its affordability, value, and finance curriculum.
There is no fee to apply for graduation. You can find answers to many questions surrounding graduation here.
These students often miss important correspondence from the commencement committee, and run the risk of not being able to participate in the ceremony because caps and gowns cannot be ordered, changes to the ceremony program cannot be made, and diplomas cannot be printed.

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