MEd School Counseling
Certification
Program Detail
Next Start Date
October 20
Est. Program Length
3 years
Credit Hours
60
Course Length
8 weeks
Cost Per Credit
$429
Alabama Teaching Certification
Yes
Degree Overview
Prepare to provide advocacy, assessment, evaluation and a range of counseling services to students with our online master’s in school counseling. You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to help youth in educational environments in this role.
Topics include counseling techniques, strategies for crisis intervention, counseling multicultural populations and more. Earn your degree fully online, at one of the most affordable institutions in the state. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), so you know you are getting industry-standard instruction.
Please note that the program may not lead to a job as a school counselor. Candidates will need to check with their own state for guidance on pursuing a career in this field. To be admitted to this program, candidates must hold valid baccalaureate level certification in a teaching field or valid master’s level professional educator certificate in another area of instructional support with two years of satisfactory educational experience.
Admissions decisions for UWA’s CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs are now being made based on available space within each program. Due to an increase in applications and our commitment to high-quality instruction and accreditation standards, enrollment is limited. Applications submitted after cohorts reach capacity may be placed on a waitlist or deferred to a future term.
Who is this degree for?
- Current educators seeking a master’s-level education and a master’s-level certificate. To be admitted to this program you must hold teaching certification with two years teaching experience.
- Educators seeking a CACREP-accredited program to become a school counselor.
Mentor Collective
The UWA Mentor Collective program enhances your online learning experience by linking you one-on-one with a mentor. Students learn what to expect in school, while mentors build their networks and develop skills to become better professionals and leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Program Detail
Next Start Date
October 20
Est. Program Length
3 years
Credit Hours
60
Course Length
8 weeks
Cost Per Credit
$429
Alabama Teaching Certification
Yes
Submit your information to be contacted by phone/email.
Program Completion Requirements
The educator candidate shall:
- Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25 or better in all courses in the approved program as verified on an official transcript with no grade below ‘C.’
- Make a satisfactory score on the Praxis II examination.
Requirements for Alabama Class A Certification
- Meet all program requirements.
- Hold a valid bachelor’s-level Professional Educator Certificate in the same teaching field(s) in which the Master’s Level Certificate is sought.
- Have an official transcript from a regionally accredited institution documenting an earned master’s degree.
Admissions
To be admitted to this program, the prospective educator candidate must meet all requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, including fingerprints/verification of background clearance, and hold valid baccalaureate level certification in a teaching field or valid master’s level professional educator certificate in another area of instructional support. Two years of satisfactory educational experience is required prior to admission to the program.
Your experience at the University of West Alabama is designed to be as straightforward and convenient as possible. From the moment you apply, you’ll receive step-by-step guidance from an enrollment counselor. And once you’re in your program, you’ll have a personal success coach who can answer your questions and help with anything you need.
Simply follow these steps to get started.
- Complete an online application.
- Have Supplement EXP form completed by your School System.
- Submit official college and institution transcripts (if applicable).
- Email: transcripts.westalabama@risepoint.com
- Mail: Transcript Processing Center – University of West Alabama 851 Trafalgar Court, Suite 420 West, Maitland, FL 32751
Counseling Program Admissions Portfolio
Candidates must submit a portfolio to the counselor education program for review. The portfolio affords a candidate to provide valuable information regarding:
- Relevance of career goals
- Aptitude for graduate-level study
- Potential success in forming effective counseling relationships
- Respect for cultural differences
Portfolio should include all of the following:
- Resume including educational background, a record of employment and volunteer activities
- Professional goals essay
- Three completed recommendation for admission forms
- Video Interview
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $429 per credit hour. There is a $75 technology fee each semester.
The University of West Alabama is dedicated to keeping education costs affordable and providing students with a full range of grants, scholarships and loans. Approximately 80 percent of UWA students receive some type of financial aid to support their studies. To apply for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school code for UWA is 001024.
Transfer
UWA may accept up to 9 hours at the Graduate level for matching courses and curriculums for most programs.
