The online education specialist degree in counseling offers the choice of specific concentrations to help tailor your degree to your career needs. The courses in these concentrations are designed to build on your counseling knowledge and expertise.
Online EdS in Counseling
Earn an Online Degree and Expand Your Knowledge of Counseling
With an Education Specialist in Counseling degree from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM), you’ll explore trauma-informed assignments that are designed to advance your knowledge of counseling, increase your earning potential, and open new career paths.
In this fully online program, you’ll choose concentrations that will help tailor your degree to your needs and interests. Get started now to move toward your new future in counseling.
Tailor Your Counseling Degree to Your Needs
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Why Choose AUM for Your Online Education Degree?
Expand your teaching proficiency, increase your salary, transition into administration — there are many reasons to pursue your teaching degree online with AUM. Because we offer advanced education programs in numerous focus areas, you can build the right qualifications for your aspirations.
Qualify for a Higher Salary
Alabama teachers with master's degrees make as much as 15% more than those with a bachelor's degree, and completing an EdS or EdD program helps increase your pay even more.1
Feel Supported Every Step of the Way
AUM provides personal guidance from the moment you apply through graduation. You can access academic and career resources online, getting support for succeeding as a student and a teacher
Join an Empowering Online Community
AUM's instructors apply their teaching experience to personalize each online course and provide an engaging community that promotes collaboration and shared success among students.
Experience the Convenience of AUM Online
Our online education degrees deliver the flexibility needed to continue teaching while completing your courses, with the option to take classes using your laptop or mobile device.
Teacher Certification Options
Advance to a Class AA certification in Alabama by earning your Education Specialist in Counseling degree at AUM. Upon completion of this online program, you'll be prepared to sit for the National Counselor Examination for board certification, which can increase your pay and give you new career opportunities.
Certification requirements vary by state. Be sure to review the requirements for your location so you can meet them after completing your program.
Achieve an AA Certification in Alabama
When studying school counseling in the Education Specialist in Counseling program at AUM, you'll prepare yourself to advance from a Class A certification to a Class AA certification, increasing your earning potential and level of expertise.
Certification requirements vary from state to state, but Alabama standards comprise three different certification levels. Below, you can see the minimum education required for each level in Alabama.
- Class B: Bachelor's degree in counseling
- Class A: Traditional or alternative master's degree in counseling
- Class AA: Education Specialist degree in counseling
How to Obtain Class AA Certification
As soon as you've earned your Education Specialist in Counseling degree with a concentration in school counseling from AUM and obtained a transcript, you'll be eligible to apply for a Class AA certification in Alabama. This process is done through our College of Education.
CAEP-Accredited Programs
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits the online special education degrees.
Exciting Careers in Counseling
With an Education Specialist in Counseling degree from AUM, you’ll position yourself to begin or advance a career in private practice counseling, school counseling, play therapy, clinical mental health counseling, or in a related position. You will also have access to our Career Development Center, which will help you every step of the way as you search for new opportunities or work to apply what you’ve learned to your current career.
School Counselor
$61,330
per year2
Mental Health Counselor
$52,120
per year2
A Quality Experience for Online Learners
Earn your degree online from Auburn University at Montgomery to experience a quality education with the flexibility to succeed in class and your career. You can complete your coursework using your laptop or mobile device with opportunities to study when and where it's convenient.
- Academic support: Access online advising and tutoring
- Career services: Prepare to succeed after graduation
- Help desk: Get technical assistance for your program
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Fit Your Degree Into Your Life
Study on your own schedule with self-paced coursework and multiple start dates each year, so you can begin when you're ready.
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Get Support Every Step of the Way
From academic advising to tutoring and career services, a real team is ready to help you feel confident from your first class to graduation.
Start Your Journey Today
Whether you're weighing your options or ready to enroll, AUM's engagement specialists can help you find the right online degree program and answer your questions along the way. Connect with our team to learn more or apply now to take the next step toward your career goals.
Sources
- Auburn University at Montgomery. AUM's College of Education Alumni Employment Update 2020-2021. Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.aum.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AUM_Alumni_Employment_Update_2020-2021.pdf.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System." Area: Alabama. Period: May 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2025, from https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0100000.