Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Alaska
There are two schools in Alaska with programs in the five major counseling categories: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling.1 Students can choose to study in person or choose from hybrid options. Hybrid degrees blend online coursework with in-person sessions. Two schools in Alaska offer hybrid counseling degrees that make counseling education more accessible to those who can’t attend traditional programs.
Table of Contents
- Counseling Schools Comparison
- Online Counseling Programs
- Select Schools With Counseling Degrees
- Related Articles
Comparison of Alaska Counseling Schools and Programs
The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Alaska with traditional and online counseling programs. Where applicable, we note schools with one or more programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
The five major counseling degree concentrations are abbreviated as MH for mental health counseling degrees, MF for marriage and family therapy degrees, VR for vocational rehabilitation counseling degrees, SC for school counseling degrees, and SA for substance abuse counseling degrees. These correspond to the Alaska counseling licenses Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT), School Counselor (SC), and Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDC). Rehabilitation counselors are typically licensed as LPCs. Note that some programs offer degree tracks that can lead to credentialing in more than one specialty. Bold text indicates a program with online or hybrid options.
| School Name | Accreditation2-4 | Online/Hybrid Programs? | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Pacific University | — | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | — | — | $23,667 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $9,379 |
Alaska Schools With Online Counseling Programs
Programs on the following lists may be online or hybrid. Check with schools for any in-person degree requirements.
Online Mental Health Counseling Degrees
- Alaska Pacific University
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
Online School Counseling Degrees
Select Schools in Alaska With Counseling Degrees
Traditional Graduate Programs
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is home to a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and K-12 School Counseling. The program can be completed either on campus or as a hybrid program that combines synchronous online video conferencing courses with an intensive on-campus course in group counseling during the summer term. All three programs require 42 credits of core counseling coursework including Appraisal for Counselors; Counseling Theories and Applications I; and Research in Counseling and Educational Settings. Students in the M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling must complete additional clinical coursework for a total of 60 credits. In this program, students learn to provide psychotherapeutic support to individuals, groups, and families struggling with mental health and behavioral challenges. Upon completion of the program, students will meet Alaska’s educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). Students in the M.Ed. in School Counseling complete three additional credits of school counseling-related coursework for a total of 48 credits to meet state requirements to become a school counselor at either the elementary or secondary school level in Alaska. Students seeking certification to work with all grade levels should pursue the K-12 School Counselor concentration, which requires an additional nine credits of pre-practicum or practicum, school counseling-related coursework, and an internship. It is also possible to combine the Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.Ed. with either School Counseling or K-12 School Counseling for candidates looking for dual licensure. The combined Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling program comprises 27 credits in addition to the core counseling coursework and enables students to fulfill the state requirements for either elementary or secondary school counseling, while the combined Clinical Mental Health Counseling and K-12 School Counseling program comprises 30 additional credits and meets the state coursework requirements for K-12 school counseling.
Related Articles
- Associate Degree in Counseling Guide
- Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling Guide
- Certificate in Counseling Guide
- Guide to Earning a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Online
- Master’s Degree in Counseling Guide
- PhD in Counseling Guide
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
3. Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, Directory of COAMFTE Accredited Programs: https://coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Directory_of_Accredited_Programs/MFT_Training_Programs.aspx
4. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
5. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
6. US News & World Report Best Online Master’s in Education Programs Offering Student Counseling and Personnel Services 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/student-counseling-rankings