M.Ed. Degree

The University of Alaska Fairbanks' graduate counseling program prepares students to become culturally responsive, effective counseling practitioners through coursework and supervised internship experiences that emphasize an ecological perspective. Students who complete the school counseling track, a 48-credit-hour program, are eligible to be certified as school counselors in Alaska. Students who complete the clinical mental health counseling track, a 60-credit-hour program, are eligible for licensure as professional counselors with additional post-degree requirements. Students who complete this track are eligible to work in community and mental health agencies or as private clinicians once licensed.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, has granted accreditation to the following programs in the UAF School of Education counseling program: clinical mental health counseling (M.Ed.) and school counseling (M.Ed.).

School of Education
907-474-7341
 

Complete the following admission requirements:

1. Application deadline: February 10 for admission to the following fall semester. Admission to the spring semester will be offered only when space is available in the program. Deadline for spring admission, when offered, is September 15.
2. Application requires a bachelor's degree preferably in a human service area such as education, social work, psychology, human services, etc. Graduates from other undergraduate majors, who have experience in the human service field or demonstrated motivation to enter the field of counseling, may also apply.
3. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in their undergraduate degree or take the Graduate Record Exam.
4. Statement of academic goals addressing applicant's motivations, personal characteristics, experience, education and intentions for earning the counseling degree. Contact the counseling department for writing guideline.
5. Professional resume including education, work, volunteer or life experience relevant to the field of counseling.
6. Three letters of references from professional, academic or character sources.
7. All applicants will be required to interview with the counseling faculty as part of the admissions process. 

Additional requirements:

1. Submit a national-level criminal background check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation prior to seeing clients during COUN F634P. 
2. Complete internship placements appropriate to the student's declared area of interest.
3. Complete background check procedure required by the school or clinical mental health field practicum or internship placement. The procedure varies depending on placement.
4. Pass a comprehensive exam.
5. Complete a project, thesis, or other.

Minimum Requirements for Counseling M.Ed.: 48-60 credits

Concentrations: SCHOOL COUNSELING, K-12 SCHOOL COUNSELING, CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH, CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SCHOOL COUNSELING, CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH AND K-12 SCHOOL COUNSELING

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Additional fee required. Charges are added to fee statements each semester.

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Students may complete the M. Ed. using one of three options: complete a project (3 credits); complete a thesis (6 credits); or complete other -  a department approved elective (3 credits). 

Note: Courses assigned by the student’s graduate committee to remove deficiencies will not be allowed as part of the graduate program.

Concentrations 

School Counseling

K-12 School counseling 

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Additional fee required. Charges are added to fee statements each semester.

 Clinical mental health

Clinical mental health and school counseling

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Additional fee required. Charges are added to fee statements each semester.

Clinical mental health and k-12 school counseling

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Additional fee required. Charges are added to fee statements each semester.