Best Counseling Schools in Alaska

How to Find a Counseling Program in Alaska

Alaska has many different counseling programs, including different levels of education, different specialties, and different course modes. Compare the various options to find a counseling program in Alaska that meets your budget and scheduling needs, as well as your personal interests and career aspirations.

Counseling Degree Pathways in Alaska

Many different academic degrees are available for counselors. Alaska requires graduate work to become a licensed counselor and work on your own. Lower degrees may qualify you to work under a licensed counselor, however, and you might also work within the counseling field in other capacities. The various counseling degree options are:

• Associate Degree: Usually a two-year program, and requires only a high school diploma/GE
• Bachelor's Degree: Usually a four-year program, requiring a high school diploma/GED. Some programs may have additional qualifications for applicants.
• Master's Degree: Usually a one to two-year program, and requires a bachelor's degree.
• Doctorate Degree: Usually a three to six-year program, and requires a bachelor's or master's degree. Maybe a professional degree (Psy.D.) or a research degree (Ph.D.).
• Graduate Certificate: Usually a six-month to one-year program, requiring a bachelor's or master's degree. Can be used to focus on a specialized area of counseling.

You can start with one of the degrees that you qualify for, and then work up to higher degrees if you wish. Some employers may pay for your advanced degrees if you already have a job in the field.

Choose a Counseling Specialty

Counselors can provide general services, or they may specialize in any number of focus areas. Some specialties you might want to consider are:

• Marital and family therapy
• Behavioral health
• Social work
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Trauma

You'll find a wide variety of advanced counseling degree programs with various specialties.

Accreditation

Accreditation ensures the quality of a school's degree program, and that the degree will be recognized. You should only choose a degree program that's accredited. Some accrediting agencies are the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), and the American Psychological Association (APA). All of the University of Alaska – Fairbanks' programs are accredited.

Online vs. Traditional Counseling Programs in Alaska

You can pursue a counseling degree online, or through the traditional classroom format. Online counseling degrees tend to be more affordable, offer more scheduling flexibility, and don't require you to relocate. Traditional classroom counseling degrees allow you to interface in person with professors and classmates, and you also get easy access to all of the school's resources.

Choose whichever format better suits your other obligations and learning objectives.

Becoming Licensed as a Counselor in Alaska

Licensed counselors must meet several criteria, including 60 credit hours at the graduate level (master's or doctorate degree program), 3,000 hours of supervised experience, a licensing exam, and a licensure fee. There's no internship requirement aside from the 3,000-hour requirement.

You don't have to become licensed in order to work under a licensed counselor. You can work on these requirements as you work at a job in the field.

Renewing licenses require 20 to 40 contact hours with clients, and 10 to 15 continuing education credits. The exact requirements depend on how long you've been licensed.

List of Counseling Degree Programs in Alaska

Are you searching for a counseling degree program in Alaska? Browse our comprehensive list of schools offering counseling programs, both online and on-campus, and follow the links to learn more about what each program has to offer.