Counseling Degrees and Programs in Alabama
To start a counseling career in Alabama, you’ll likely need at least a graduate degree in one of the main areas of counseling practice: marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. Luckily, Alabama offers prospective counselors numerous college and university degree programs to choose from. Undergraduate programs typically introduce students to foundational counseling theories and may include supervised work experience or a final project; however, graduate degrees offer the chance to more develop professional counseling skills and fulfill the educational requirements for licensure. More advanced programs, such as Educational Specialist (EdS), are also available to students with counseling experience. There are also numerous online and hybrid counseling programs in Alabama that offer students greater scheduling flexibility and the opportunity to study from home.
Quick Facts
- There are 15 not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities that offer a program in marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and/or vocational rehabilitation counseling in Alabama.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Alabama, 0 offer an associate’s degree, 4 offer a bachelor’s degree, 1 offers a certificate, and 15 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 4 schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 12 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 5 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 12 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 3 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- 2 counseling schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.3
- No schools ranked in US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019.4
- 5 schools ranked in US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019.5
- Across 11 schools, 26 counseling programs are accredited by CACREP.2
Comparison of Alabama Counseling Schools and Programs
Below, we have compiled a table that allows you to compare the public and not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities in Alabama that offer counseling programs in the following areas: mental health counseling (MH), marriage and family therapy (MFT), vocational rehabilitation counseling (VR), school counseling (SC), and substance abuse counseling (SA). The table indicates which schools offer programs that are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); the CACREP-accredited programs are marked with an asterisk. Use the table to compare each school by program type offered, graduation rate, and net price per year. If you are interested in learning more about counseling licensure Alabama, read our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP- Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A&M University | Yes | — | — | Yes* | — | — | 27% | $13,956 |
| Alabama State University | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes* | Yes | 30% | $13,029 |
| Amridge University | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | 40% | $13,104 |
| Auburn University | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes* | — | 78% | $23,205 |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 34% | $12,807 |
| Faulkner University | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 28% | $21,334 |
| Jacksonville State University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 42% | $12,243 |
| Troy University | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes* | Yes | 43% | $12,114 |
| University of Alabama | Yes | Yes | — | Yes* | Yes* | Yes | 72% | $20,465 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 58% | $16,636 |
| University of Mobile | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | 50% | $19,779 |
| University of Montevallo | Yes | Yes* | Yes* | — | Yes* | — | 49% | $16,308 |
| University of North Alabama | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 46% | $12,121 |
| University of South Alabama | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 44% | $12,836 |
| University of West Alabama | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | 31% | $13,357 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Alabama
Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019
- Auburn University (#325)
- University of Alabama (#366)
US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019
- Auburn University (#15 tie)
- University of Alabama (#47 tie)
- Troy University (#75 tie)
- Alabama A&M University (#80 tie)
- Alabama State University (#80 tie)
Schools in Alabama with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Alabama State University
Students interested in rehabilitation counseling careers can complete an undergraduate or graduate degree at Alabama State University (ASU), a historically black institution in Montgomery. The Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services (BSRS) with a concentration in Addiction Studies is comprised of 120 credits including 57 credits in rehabilitation and addiction studies. The BSRS prepares students to work in entry-level rehabilitation counseling careers with clients with a range of behavioral, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. Students in other undergraduate programs can complete an 18-credit minor in Rehabilitation Services with a concentration in Addiction Studies. The CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) requires 51 credits and offers more in-depth study of disability, case management, and rehabilitation counseling techniques. ASU also offers CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling that meet state requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license and school counseling credential, respectively.
Auburn University
Auburn University is home to numerous counseling programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate students can complete a 120-credit Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Studies, which introduces students to the skills needed to counsel clients with disabilities, or combine a 15-credit Minor in Counseling with another undergraduate major. At the graduate level, Auburn offers CACREP-accredited online and on-campus programs. The 60-credit M.Ed. in School Counseling prepares students to work as certified school counselors in Alabama. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling degrees are both comprised of 60-64 credits and are offered as a Master of Science (MS) or a Master of Education (M.Ed.). The MS programs require students to complete a research thesis. Graduates in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will fulfill the state educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. An on-campus CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education is also available.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Troy University
Troy University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in counseling at campuses across Alabama and the surrounding states. The graduate degree options include a 60-credit Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that meets state educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and is accredited by CACREP; a 48-credit MS in Rehabilitation Counseling accredited by CACREP; a 36-credit MS in General Counseling that introduces students to the field of counseling but does not lead to licensure; a 48-credit MS in Substance Abuse Counseling; and a 48-credit Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in School Counseling that enables graduates to become a school counselor in Alabama and is CACREP-accredited. Troy University also offers Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) programs in School Counseling and Community Counseling, as well as Certificates in Addictions Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Counseling Military Populations that enable students to deepen their professional skills and knowledge. A 120-credit Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Studies and an 18-credit Minor in Rehabilitation Studies are offered at the undergraduate level at the main campus.
University of Montevallo
The University of Montevallo offers prospective counselors a Master of Education (M.Ed.) with three CACREP-accredited tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; School Counseling; and Couples and Family Counseling. All three tracks include 39 credits of core counseling courses, such as Assessment in Counseling and Advanced Human Growth and Development. The M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires the completion of an additional 24 specialized credits and prepares students to work as professional counselors in hospitals, mental health facilities, and community agencies. The M.Ed. in School Counseling requires nine additional credits and prepares students to work in both elementary and secondary school settings. Students in the M.Ed. in Couples and Family Counseling must complete 21 additional credits focused on family system theories and group counseling techniques. Each track meets Alabama educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license.
University of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is home to two CACREP-accredited graduate counseling degrees. The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit degree that prepares students to provide professional counseling services in a variety of mental health settings, such as mental health facilities, social service organizations, and private practice. Upon graduation, students will meet the state coursework requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Alabama. The Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in School Counseling requires students to complete 48-51 credits, including a practicum and two internships. Graduates of this degree program are eligible to become certified as school counselors in Alabama and work with students at the elementary, middle, and secondary school levels.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University (JSU) offers two CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Counselor Education degrees with a hybrid format. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is comprised of 60 credits, while the MS in School Counseling is a 45-48 credit degree. Both concentrations share a 24-credit counseling core with additional courses in the area of specialization. Graduates of the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meet Alabama educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. Students in the MS in School Counseling program will meet all state requirements to become a P-12 school counselor. Individuals who already have a master’s degree in counseling can complete an Educational Specialist (EdS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling completely online. The EdS program enables students to meet the educational requirements for an additional area of counseling practice or develop in-depth expertise in one area.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama, often referred to as “Bama,” offers several counseling programs, including online degrees. The Master of Arts (MA) in Rehabilitation Counseling is an online program that combines asynchronous coursework with live classes via videoconference and a supervised field experience. The degree is also offered on-campus along with an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and an MA in School Counseling. All versions of the MA are accredited by CACREP and require 60 credits. The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meets state coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license, while the MA in School Counseling enables graduates to become certified school counselors in Alabama. The university also offers online and on-campus versions of the Educational Specialist (EdS) in School Counseling and an on-campus EdS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. These programs are designed to help professional counselors deepen their knowledge in a particular aspect of counseling. A CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is also available to experienced counselors. At the undergraduate level, the University of Alabama offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Addiction and Recovery that prepares students for entry-level careers in the addictions field. Coursework from the degree may be used to meet state requirements for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential.
University of West Alabama
The University of West Alabama (UWA) offers prospective counselors several online degree options. The Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit program that takes at least two years to complete and meets state requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. The MS in Family Counseling is a 33-credit program that takes one to two years of full-time study. Several start dates are available throughout the year with courses offered in eight-week blocks. Both programs are also offered at the UWA’s Livingston campus. Other on-campus counseling programs include a 48-credit Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling that meets state requirements to become a school counselor and a 33-credit advanced Educational Specialist (EdS) degree in School Counseling for students who already have a graduate degree in school counseling.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
3. Kiplinger’s Best College Values, 2019: https://www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/college-rankings/index.html
4. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs, 2019: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
5. US News & World Report Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs, 2019: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/rehabilitation-counseling-rankings