University of Alabama Snapshot Card
40+
Online master’s programs
$515
Per credit hour
Public/National
Public university ranking
R1
Public research university
Key policies
Institution type:
Public
Regional accreditation:
SACSCOC
Admissions model:
Rolling — multiple starts per year
GRE/GMAT required:
Not required
Out-of-state premium:
No — same rate for all students
Notable Programmatic Accreditations
- AACSB
- ABET
- CACREP
- CCNE
- CSWE
- NASPAA
- Edited By Jeevan D'Souza
Start Here
Best for
- Working educators in the Southeast seeking affordable, certification-aligned master’s degrees
- Career-changers or professionals targeting AACSB-accredited business credentials with MBA concentration flexibility
- Students pursuing licensure-track clinical programs (CACREP counseling, CSWE social work, CCNE nursing)
- Government and criminal justice professionals seeking affordable MPA or MS Criminal Justice pathways
- Students who want a fully online ALA-accredited MLIS — one of the few available nationally
Not a Best Fit
- Students seeking elite-selectivity signaling or top-10 public brand cachet
- Those prioritizing cutting-edge interdisciplinary or emerging-tech programs (data science, AI, UX)
- Learners who need competency-based or accelerated self-paced formats
- Students on tight budgets targeting STEM or business programs (UA’s higher-tier pricing applies)
Snapshot
University of Alabama is a Carnegie R1 public research university and SEC flagship based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It operates one of the largest online master’s portfolios among Power Five public universities, with more than 40 online graduate programs spanning business, education, engineering, nursing, social work, counseling, criminal justice, public administration, library science, computer science, and cybersecurity.
Every online program at UA is delivered through the flagship campus — there is no separate online entity or satellite brand. Students earn the same degree, from the same faculty, with the same accreditation backing as on-campus counterparts. UA holds SACSCOC regional accreditation and layers deep programmatic accreditations across its strongest fields: AACSB for business, CACREP for counseling, CSWE for social work, CCNE for nursing, NASPAA for public administration, ALA for library science, and CAATE for athletic training.
UA’s positioning in the online master’s landscape is distinctive: it combines SEC-level institutional prestige and alumni network reach with accessible admissions and competitive public-university tuition, particularly in its education, social work, and humanities programs. For students seeking a respected flagship credential without the selectivity barriers of top-10 publics, UA fills a specific and valuable niche.
Quick Decision Guide
Quick Fit Summary: University of Alabama is a strong match for working professionals who want a broadly accredited online master’s degree from an SEC flagship at competitive public-university pricing — particularly in business, education, social work, counseling, nursing, or criminal justice. It serves students who value institutional prestige and alumni network reach but want more accessible admissions than top-10 publics like the University of Florida or Michigan.
Cost Signal: UA operates a two-tier pricing model. Education, social work, criminal justice, public administration, communication, and healthcare programs run approximately $515 per credit hour. Business programs through Manderson/Culverhouse run approximately $925 per credit hour. Engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity programs are approximately $800 per credit hour. Total program costs range from roughly $15,000 for a 30-credit education degree to $44,400 for the 48-credit MBA.
Learning Model Signal: Most programs are delivered asynchronously online. Clinical and field-based programs — including counseling, social work, nursing (FNP and Nurse Educator), athletic training, and special education — require in-person practicum, clinical, or field placement hours that students typically arrange in their local communities.
Admissions Signal: Admissions selectivity varies by program. Education, criminal justice, communication, library science, public administration, and several other programs use rolling admissions with moderate barriers. Business programs, counseling, social work, and nursing use deadline-based admissions with somewhat higher selectivity. Most programs do not require the GRE. The MBA offers GMAT waivers for qualified applicants.
Flexibility Signal: Most programs offer Fall and Spring starts, with many also adding Summer entry. Rolling-admission programs allow near-continuous enrollment. Part-time pacing is standard across the portfolio. Completion timelines typically range from 12 months for accelerated 30-credit programs to 36 months for 60-credit clinical programs.
Main Tradeoff: UA delivers flagship-caliber accreditation depth and SEC brand value at accessible price points — but its online portfolio is concentrated in traditional professional fields rather than emerging interdisciplinary or tech-forward areas, and its STEM/business pricing tier narrows the cost advantage that makes its education and social services programs so compelling.
What University of Alabama Is Known For
University of Alabama’s online master’s reputation rests on a combination of accreditation density, professional-field depth, and SEC institutional brand — not on innovation in online delivery models or bleeding-edge program design. Understanding what UA actually delivers well, and where its real competitive advantages lie, is essential for evaluating fit.
Manderson Graduate School of Business (Culverhouse College of Business):
UA’s business programs carry AACSB accreditation — the gold standard for business education and a credential held by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide. The online MBA offers seven concentration tracks including finance, marketing, healthcare management, and cybersecurity management. Beyond the MBA, UA offers specialized AACSB-accredited master’s degrees in accountancy, finance, marketing, management, and tax accounting. This breadth of specialized business degrees under a single AACSB umbrella is unusual and gives students more precise credential targeting than a generic MBA alone.
Education Programs:
UA’s College of Education has one of the broadest online education portfolios among SEC flagships, covering educational leadership, instructional leadership, elementary education, special education (multiple abilities), and an Education Specialist degree. These programs use rolling admissions, start three times per year, and carry the lowest per-credit pricing in UA’s portfolio — making them particularly accessible for working educators seeking Alabama Class A or Class AA certification advancement.
Counseling (CACREP-Accredited):
Both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs hold CACREP accreditation, which is increasingly required or preferred for state licensure in counseling. CACREP-accredited online programs are not abundant nationally, and UA’s offerings provide a viable licensure pathway for students who need clinical training but cannot relocate to attend on-campus programs full-time. Practicum and internship hours are required and arranged locally.
Social Work (CSWE-Accredited MSW):
UA’s online MSW holds CSWE accreditation and offers an advanced standing track for BSW holders that reduces the program from 60 to 30 credits. CSWE accreditation is non-negotiable for social work licensure, and the online format with local field placement makes this accessible to a national student base.
Nursing (CCNE-Accredited):
The Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator MSN tracks both carry CCNE accreditation. The FNP track prepares students for national certification and advanced practice licensure. Clinical hours are required, but UA’s model allows students to complete them in their local healthcare settings.
Criminal Justice:
UA’s MS in Criminal Justice is a fully online, rolling-admission program at the lower pricing tier — a straightforward, affordable pathway for law enforcement professionals, corrections officers, and criminal justice practitioners seeking career advancement or academic foundations for doctoral study.
Engineering and STEM Growth:
UA has expanded its online engineering presence to include aerospace, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering master’s programs, along with computer science and cybersecurity. The cybersecurity program benefits from UA’s NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation. These programs carry higher per-credit pricing ($800/credit) and are newer additions to the online portfolio compared to UA’s more established professional programs.
The SEC Network Effect:
All online programs come from the University of Alabama flagship — there is no diluted online-only brand or subsidiary entity. Graduates carry the same credential and have access to the same alumni network as on-campus graduates. In the Southeast and across SEC-connected professional communities, UA’s brand recognition opens doors in ways that smaller or less-known institutions cannot match.
Online Master’s Programs at University of Alabama by Subject
UA’s online master’s portfolio spans more than 25 distinct programs across at least nine subject areas. The table below covers all known online master’s-level offerings, followed by subject-area interpretation that explains what each cluster means for prospective students. Note the two-tier pricing structure: business programs through Culverhouse run at approximately $925 per credit, STEM programs at approximately $800 per credit, and education, social work, criminal justice, public administration, communication, healthcare, and library science programs at approximately $515 per credit.
| Program Name | Degree Type | Subject Area | Credit Hours | Estimated Total Cost | Accreditation | In-Person Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | MBA | Business | 48 | $44,400 | AACSB | No |
| Master of Science in Management (MSM) | MS | Business | 30 | $27,750 | AACSB | No |
| Master of Accountancy (MAcc) | MS | Business | 30 | $27,750 | AACSB | No |
| Master of Science in Finance (MSF) | MS | Business | 30 | $27,750 | AACSB | No |
| Master of Science in Marketing | MS | Business | 30 | $27,750 | AACSB | No |
| Master of Tax Accounting (MTax) | MS | Business | 30 | $27,750 | AACSB | No |
| MA in Educational Leadership | MA | Education | 30 | $15,450 | — | No |
| MA in Instructional Leadership | MA | Education | 33 | $16,995 | — | No |
| MEd in Elementary Education | MEd | Education | 30 | $15,450 | — | No |
| MEd in Multiple Abilities (Special Education) | MEd | Education | 36 | $18,540 | — | Yes |
| EdS in Instructional Leadership | EdS | Education | 33 | $16,995 | — | No |
| MA in Counselor Education — Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MA | Psychology | 60 | $30,900 | CACREP | Yes |
| MA in Counselor Education — School Counseling | MA | Psychology | 48 | $24,720 | CACREP | Yes |
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | MSW | Social Work | 60 | $30,900 | CSWE | Yes |
| MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner | MSN | Nursing | 46 | $23,690 | CCNE | Yes |
| MSN — Nurse Educator | MSN | Nursing | 37 | $19,055 | CCNE | Yes |
| MA in Athletic Training | MA | Healthcare | 57 | $29,355 | CAATE | Yes |
| MS in Health Education and Promotion | MS | Healthcare | 33 | $16,995 | — | No |
| MS in Criminal Justice | MS | Criminal Justice | 30 | $15,450 | — | No |
| Master of Public Administration (MPA) | MPA | Public Administration | 39 | $20,085 | NASPAA | No |
| Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) | MS | Communication | 36 | $18,540 | ALA | No |
| MA in Communication Studies | MA | Communication | 33 | $16,995 | — | No |
| MS in Aerospace Engineering | MS | Engineering | 30 | $24,000 | — | No |
| MS in Civil Engineering | MS | Engineering | 30 | $24,000 | — | No |
| MS in Electrical Engineering | MS | Engineering | 30 | $24,000 | — | No |
| MS in Mechanical Engineering | MS | Engineering | 30 | $24,000 | — | No |
| MS in Computer Science | MS | IT & Data | 30 | $24,000 | — | No |
| MS in Cybersecurity | MS | Cybersecurity | 30 | $24,000 | — | No |
| MS in Human Environmental Sciences | MS | Other | 33 | $16,995 | — | No |
UA’s online business portfolio is its deepest and most distinctive cluster. Six AACSB-accredited programs run through the Manderson Graduate School of Business within Culverhouse, covering the MBA (with seven concentration options), plus specialized master’s degrees in management, accountancy, finance, marketing, and tax accounting.
The MBA is the marquee offering — 48 credits at $925 per credit ($44,400 total) with concentrations spanning traditional tracks like finance and marketing alongside more contemporary options like cybersecurity management and healthcare management. GMAT waivers are available for qualified applicants, and the program does not require the GRE. For students who don’t need the breadth of an MBA, the specialized 30-credit master’s degrees offer more targeted credentials at a lower total cost ($27,750), all under the same AACSB umbrella.
The Master of Accountancy and MTax deserve specific attention for accounting professionals: the MAcc prepares students for CPA exam eligibility with tax and assurance concentration tracks, while the MTax provides deeper specialization for practitioners already working in tax. This level of specialization within AACSB-accredited online business programs is uncommon — most peer institutions offer an MBA and perhaps one specialized master’s, not five.
The tradeoff is pricing. At $925 per credit, UA’s business programs cost roughly 80% more per credit than its education or social work programs. Students comparing AACSB-accredited online MBAs should weigh UA against peers like Indiana University Online, whose Kelley School carries comparable business school prestige at different pricing and concentration structures.
UA’s online education programs represent the portfolio’s strongest value proposition on a pure cost basis. Five programs — Educational Leadership, Instructional Leadership, Elementary Education, Multiple Abilities (Special Education), and the Education Specialist in Instructional Leadership — all run at $515 per credit with rolling admissions and three start dates per year.
Total costs range from $15,450 for 30-credit programs to $18,540 for the 36-credit special education MEd. The Instructional Leadership MA leads directly to Alabama Class A certification, while the EdS leads to Class AA certification — making these particularly practical for working educators in Alabama who need credential advancement without leaving their classrooms.
The special education (Multiple Abilities) program is the only education offering that requires field placement hours, meaning it involves in-person components arranged in the student’s local district. All other education programs are fully online.
UA’s education portfolio doesn’t carry the same programmatic accreditation headlines as its business or counseling programs — there’s no CAEP accreditation listed for these specific online offerings. But the combination of low cost, rolling access, and certification alignment makes these programs competitive for their target audience: working K-12 educators, particularly in the Southeast, who need an affordable and flexible path to credential advancement.
This cluster contains some of UA’s most accreditation-intensive and clinically rigorous online programs. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA (60 credits, CACREP-accredited) and School Counseling MA (48 credits, CACREP-accredited) both prepare students for licensure pathways and require practicum and internship hours completed locally. The MSW (60 credits, CSWE-accredited) follows a similar model with mandatory field placements.
CACREP accreditation is increasingly important for counseling licensure — many states now require or strongly prefer graduation from a CACREP-accredited program for LPC eligibility. UA’s CACREP status gives its counseling graduates a licensure advantage in these states. Similarly, CSWE accreditation for the MSW is a non-negotiable requirement for social work licensure nationally.
All three programs use deadline-based admissions with Fall-only starts, which means less scheduling flexibility than UA’s rolling-admission programs. The total cost for the 60-credit programs (counseling and MSW) is approximately $30,900 at $515 per credit — competitive for CACREP/CSWE-accredited programs but not inexpensive given the credit-hour requirements.
The MSW offers an advanced standing option for students who already hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, reducing the requirement to 30 credits and cutting both cost and time roughly in half. This is a meaningful differentiator for career-changers with undergraduate social work backgrounds.
UA’s nursing programs include two CCNE-accredited MSN tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner (46 credits, $23,690 total) and Nurse Educator (37 credits, $19,055 total). Both require clinical or practicum hours completed in the student’s local healthcare setting, and both use deadline-based admissions.
The FNP track prepares graduates for national certification (AANP or ANCC) and advanced practice registered nurse licensure — a high-demand credential in primary care, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The Nurse Educator track targets experienced nurses transitioning into academic or staff development roles within healthcare systems.
Beyond nursing, UA offers a CAATE-accredited MA in Athletic Training (57 credits, $29,355) that requires clinical immersion — making it partially hybrid rather than fully online. The MS in Health Education and Promotion (33 credits, $16,995) is fully online and serves public health educators and community health professionals.
UA’s healthcare cluster is clinically strong but limited in scope. Students seeking broader healthcare administration, public health (MPH), or health informatics pathways will need to look elsewhere — UA does not currently offer these in its online master’s portfolio.
The MS in Criminal Justice and the MPA are two of UA’s most accessible and affordable online master’s programs. Both are fully online, use rolling admissions, don’t require the GRE, and price at $515 per credit.
The MPA carries NASPAA accreditation — the recognized standard for public administration and public policy programs — making it a well-credentialed option for government professionals, nonprofit managers, and policy analysts. At 39 credits ($20,085 total), it’s competitively priced against NASPAA-accredited peers, many of which charge considerably more.
The MS in Criminal Justice is a 30-credit, $15,450 program designed for law enforcement officers, corrections professionals, juvenile justice practitioners, and others in the justice system who want to advance into leadership roles or build an academic foundation for doctoral work. It’s one of the lowest total-cost programs in UA’s portfolio.
Both programs benefit from UA’s SEC brand recognition in government and public-sector hiring, particularly across the Southeast where UA alumni networks are dense in state and local government.
UA’s STEM online portfolio includes four engineering master’s programs (aerospace, civil, electrical, mechanical), an MS in Computer Science, and an MS in Cybersecurity. All are 30-credit programs at $800 per credit ($24,000 total), placing them in UA’s higher pricing tier.
The cybersecurity program stands out with UA’s designation as an NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense — a meaningful credential for students targeting government cybersecurity roles or defense-sector positions where CAE designation carries weight in hiring and clearance processes.
The engineering programs are relatively newer additions to UA’s online portfolio compared to its established business and education offerings. They provide a viable path for working engineers who need a master’s credential for career advancement but cannot relocate or attend full-time. However, students comparing online engineering master’s programs should evaluate UA alongside dedicated STEM online leaders like Purdue University and North Carolina State University, both of which have deeper and longer-established online engineering portfolios.
At $24,000 total, UA’s engineering programs are moderately priced — less expensive than many private STEM programs but notably more than UA’s own education or criminal justice offerings.
This cluster includes two communication-adjacent programs, a library science degree, and a human environmental sciences offering — smaller programs that collectively round out UA’s portfolio breadth.
The standout here is the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS), which carries ALA (American Library Association) accreditation. ALA accreditation is required or strongly preferred for most professional librarian positions, and fully online ALA-accredited MLIS programs remain relatively scarce nationally. At 36 credits and $18,540 total, UA’s MLIS represents one of the more cost-effective paths to ALA-accredited librarian credentialing available online.
The MA in Communication Studies (33 credits, $16,995) is a straightforward academic master’s program suited to communication professionals, corporate trainers, or students building a foundation for doctoral study. It’s fully online with rolling admissions.
The MS in Human Environmental Sciences offers three concentration tracks — consumer sciences, health studies, and human development and family studies — at the same $515/credit pricing tier. It’s a niche program that serves professionals in community health, family services, and consumer advocacy.
None of these programs carry the accreditation headlines of UA’s business or clinical offerings, but the MLIS in particular fills a genuine gap in the online master’s landscape that many larger universities don’t address.
Looking across UA’s full online master’s portfolio, several patterns emerge. The accreditation concentration is remarkable for a single institution: AACSB (business), CACREP (counseling), CSWE (social work), CCNE (nursing), NASPAA (public administration), ALA (library science), and CAATE (athletic training) — seven distinct programmatic accreditations covering the most credential-sensitive professional fields. Few peer institutions match this density.
UA’s pricing structure creates two distinct value tiers. The $515/credit programs in education, social work, counseling, criminal justice, public administration, communication, library science, and healthcare deliver strong value — total costs between roughly $15,000 and $31,000 depending on credit requirements. The $800–$925/credit programs in business, engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity are still competitive within their respective fields but represent a significant step up from the lower tier.
The portfolio’s main gap is in emerging interdisciplinary fields. UA does not currently offer online master’s programs in data science, artificial intelligence, public health (MPH), health informatics, supply chain management, or other areas where newer programs at peer institutions have expanded. UA’s strength is depth in traditional professional fields — business, education, clinical/social services, STEM — rather than breadth into emerging domains. Students seeking cutting-edge program design should evaluate Arizona State University, which covers more interdisciplinary territory, or specialized options at institutions building programs around specific market needs.
How University of Alabama Compares
Evaluating UA in isolation doesn’t tell you enough. The comparisons that matter most depend on what you’re prioritizing: breadth and innovation, prestige and selectivity, STEM depth, or business school specificity. The peer set below captures those distinct comparison angles — all large-scale public flagships with significant online master’s portfolios.
| Factor | University of Alabama | Arizona State University | University of Florida | Purdue University | Indiana University |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Master’s Programs | 40+ | 200+ | 40+ | 30+ (plus Purdue Global) | 30+ |
| Tuition Range (per credit) | $515–$925 | $550–$1,300+ | $500–$1,100+ | $420–$1,100+ | $450–$900+ |
| Key Accreditations | AACSB, CACREP, CSWE, CCNE, NASPAA, ALA, CAATE | AACSB, CSWE, multiple STEM | AACSB, CSWE, CCNE | AACSB, ABET | AACSB (Kelley) |
| Admissions Selectivity | Moderate — rolling + deadline-based mix | Broadly accessible | Higher selectivity | Moderate | Moderate |
| Start Date Flexibility | Fall/Spring/Summer (most programs); rolling for many | 5-6 starts per year | Fall/Spring (most programs) | Fall/Spring | Fall/Spring |
Key takeaways from this comparison:
What the comparison reveals:
- Arizona State University dwarfs every peer in sheer program volume and has invested more heavily in emerging interdisciplinary programs, online delivery innovation, and non-traditional learner support. UA cannot match ASU’s breadth, but it competes effectively on accreditation density (seven programmatic accreditations vs. ASU’s more dispersed portfolio), SEC brand strength in the Southeast, and lower baseline pricing in its education and social services tier.
- University of Florida carries top-10 public-university prestige and higher selectivity. Students who can clear UF’s admissions bar may prefer its brand cachet — but UA offers broader access, more rolling-admission programs, and comparable accreditation coverage at similar or lower price points for many fields. UF is the prestige play; UA is the accessibility-with-credibility play.
- Purdue University is the stronger choice for online engineering and STEM specifically, with deeper ABET-accredited engineering offerings and Purdue’s historic STEM identity. UA’s engineering programs are newer and narrower. However, UA outperforms Purdue in clinical and social services programs (counseling, social work, nursing) where Purdue’s online portfolio is thinner. Purdue’s split between Purdue West Lafayette and Purdue Global also creates brand complexity that UA avoids — everything at UA comes from the flagship.
- Indiana University Online is the most direct business-program comparison, with Kelley School carrying strong MBA and business analytics brand recognition. UA’s Manderson/Culverhouse competes on AACSB credentialing and concentration variety (seven MBA concentrations plus five specialized business master’s programs), while IU’s Kelley brand may carry more weight in certain corporate hiring networks. Students choosing between them should compare specific concentration offerings, alumni network geography, and total cost.
Best For
- Working educators in the Southeast seeking affordable certification advancement. UA’s education programs are among the lowest-cost options at any SEC flagship — $515 per credit with rolling admissions and three annual start dates. The Instructional Leadership MA and EdS align directly with Alabama Class A and Class AA certification requirements, making them practical pathways for teachers and school administrators who need credentials without career interruption.
- Professionals targeting AACSB-accredited business credentials with specialization options. Few online AACSB-accredited business schools offer the concentration depth UA does: seven MBA tracks plus five specialized master’s degrees (management, accountancy, finance, marketing, tax accounting) under a single AACSB umbrella. Students who know they want a focused credential in tax accounting or finance — rather than a generalist MBA — have more options here than at most peers.
- Students pursuing licensure-track clinical programs online. CACREP counseling, CSWE social work, and CCNE nursing are all available online with local clinical/field placements. The density of licensure-aligned accreditations across clinical programs is UA’s single strongest differentiator for students in these fields.
- Government and public-sector professionals seeking affordable, accredited credentials. The NASPAA-accredited MPA ($20,085 total) and the MS in Criminal Justice ($15,450 total) are both fully online, rolling-admission programs that serve public-sector workers without the pricing premiums or admissions barriers of many competitors.
- Aspiring librarians who need ALA-accredited credentials online. The fully online, ALA-accredited MLIS at $18,540 fills a genuine scarcity in the market. Students who need an ALA-accredited librarian credential and cannot attend a campus program have limited options — UA is one of the strongest.
- Students who value SEC flagship recognition and alumni networks, particularly in the Southeast. UA’s brand carries meaningful weight in professional hiring across Alabama, the Southeast, and broader SEC-connected industries. For students whose career trajectories are geographically tied to this region, UA’s credential and network carry tangible value that smaller or less-known online institutions cannot replicate.
Not a Best Fit For
Students who need elite-selectivity signaling on their credential. UA is an accessible public flagship — its admissions are moderate, not highly selective. Students targeting positions or doctoral programs where brand prestige is a primary hiring filter may be better served by more selective institutions like the University of Florida or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill .
Students seeking emerging interdisciplinary or tech-forward programs. UA does not currently offer online master’s degrees in data science, artificial intelligence, UX design, health informatics, supply chain management, or similar emerging fields. Students whose career interests align with these areas should evaluate institutions like Arizona State University or Northeastern University that have invested more heavily in non-traditional program development.
Learners who prefer competency-based or self-paced formats. UA’s programs follow traditional semester-based, cohort or course-sequence models. Students who want to accelerate through material they already know — common among experienced professionals returning for credentials — may find Western Governors University or similar competency-based models a better structural fit.
Budget-constrained students targeting STEM or business programs specifically. UA’s lower pricing tier ($515/credit) is genuinely competitive, but its business programs at $925/credit and STEM programs at $800/credit are less distinctive on cost. Students focused primarily on affordability in these fields should compare UA’s total costs against peers like Purdue University or public institutions in states where they qualify for in-state tuition.
Students outside the Southeast who don’t value SEC network connections. UA’s alumni network and brand recognition are strongest in the Southeast and SEC-connected professional communities. Students based in the Northeast, West Coast, or internationally may not realize the same network premium and should consider institutions with stronger brand recognition in their target regions.
Featured Programs
These programs represent UA’s strongest online value propositions — offerings where the combination of accreditation, pricing, format, or market positioning gives UA a genuine competitive edge.
AACSB-accredited with seven concentration tracks, GMAT waivers available, and fully online delivery. At $44,400 total, it’s not UA’s cheapest program, but the concentration breadth (finance, marketing, healthcare management, cybersecurity management, strategy, innovation/entrepreneurship, management) under AACSB accreditation is unusually deep for an online MBA. Students who want targeted concentration options rather than a generalist MBA will find more choice here than at most peers.
CACREP-accredited, 60 credits, $30,900 total. CACREP accreditation is increasingly a gatekeeper for LPC licensure, and fully online CACREP programs that allow local practicum placement remain relatively uncommon. This is one of UA’s most credential-critical programs.
CSWE-accredited with an advanced standing track that halves the program for BSW holders (30 credits vs. 60). The online format with local field placements makes this accessible nationally, and the $515/credit pricing is competitive for a CSWE-accredited MSW. Students comparing online MSW programs will find UA among the better-accredited and more affordable options.
ALA-accredited and fully online at $18,540 total. The scarcity of fully online ALA-accredited MLIS programs nationally makes this a standout. For students who need the ALA credential for professional librarian positions, UA is one of a small number of institutions that deliver it entirely online.
NASPAA-accredited, fully online, rolling admissions, $20,085 total. NASPAA accreditation is the recognized standard for public administration education, and UA’s pricing undercuts many NASPAA-accredited peers. The combination of rolling access, no GRE requirement, and accreditation makes this one of the most frictionless paths to a credentialed MPA online.
Admissions Snapshot
UA’s admissions landscape is not one-size-fits-all — it varies significantly by program type, and understanding the pattern saves time and sets realistic expectations.
General Requirements: Most programs require a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, official transcripts, a personal statement or goal statement, and a resume. Some programs (particularly counseling, social work, and nursing) require additional materials such as professional references, prerequisite coursework documentation, or licensure/certification status.
GRE/GMAT Policies: The majority of UA’s online master’s programs do not require the GRE. The MBA offers a GMAT waiver for applicants who meet specific criteria (typically based on GPA, work experience, or holding an advanced degree). Engineering and computer science programs may consider GRE scores but requirements vary — prospective STEM applicants should verify current policies for their specific program.
Rolling vs. Deadline-Based: UA’s portfolio splits into two admissions models. Rolling-admission programs — including education, criminal justice, public administration, communication studies, library science, health education, and human environmental sciences — accept applications on a continuous basis with multiple start dates (typically Fall, Spring, and often Summer). Deadline-based programs — including business (all Culverhouse programs), counseling, social work, nursing, athletic training, and engineering — have fixed application deadlines and often admit for Fall only or Fall/Spring.
Practical Guidance on Timing: For rolling-admission programs, applying 2-3 months before your intended start date is generally sufficient. For deadline-based programs, plan to apply 4-6 months ahead. Clinical programs (counseling, social work, nursing, athletic training) have the most structured timelines — Fall-only starts with applications typically due the preceding spring. Business programs through Culverhouse have semester-specific deadlines that are published each cycle.
Notable Admissions Features: UA does not operate as a highly selective institution for most online programs — the emphasis is on meeting requirements and demonstrating readiness rather than competing against a small admissions pool. Clinical programs are the exception, where cohort sizes and clinical placement capacity create natural selectivity even without formally restrictive acceptance rates.
Tuition and Cost Overview
UA’s online master’s tuition operates on a transparent two-tier model that is critical to understand before comparing costs to other institutions.
This tier covers education, counseling, social work, nursing, criminal justice, public administration, communication studies, library science, health education, human environmental sciences, and athletic training. Total program costs in this tier range from approximately $15,450 (30-credit education or criminal justice programs) to $30,900 (60-credit counseling or MSW programs). This pricing is competitive with or lower than most peer SEC and Power 5 flagships for comparable programs.
All Culverhouse/Manderson business programs — MBA, MSM, MAcc, MSF, MS Marketing, MTax — price at approximately $925 per credit hour. Total costs range from $27,750 (30-credit specialized degrees) to $44,400 (48-credit MBA). While not the cheapest AACSB-accredited option available, this pricing is moderate within the AACSB online MBA market, where costs commonly range from $30,000 to $80,000+.
STEM programs price at approximately $800 per credit hour, totaling $24,000 for standard 30-credit programs. This positions UA in the middle of the online engineering master’s market — less expensive than elite private options but more than some larger public STEM programs.
In-State vs. Out-of-State: UA’s online tuition rates are generally flat — online students pay the same per-credit rate regardless of residency, which means in-state students don’t get an additional discount but out-of-state students aren’t penalized with higher rates.
Cost in Context: Compared to peer flagships, UA’s Tier 1 pricing is a genuine value differentiator. The $15,450 total for an online master’s in criminal justice or education from an SEC flagship is difficult to beat. However, the gap between tiers is substantial — a student choosing between UA’s education programs and UA’s business programs faces a roughly 80% per-credit premium, which reflects Culverhouse’s market positioning rather than a unified institutional pricing strategy.
For students evaluating total graduate school costs, OMC’s graduate school cost calculator can help contextualize UA’s pricing against your complete financial picture including opportunity costs, lost wages, and loan interest.
Visit University of Alabama’s official online programs page
Related Rankings
Rankings provide additional context for evaluating how UA’s online master’s programs stack up against competitors across different dimensions. The following OMC rankings are directly relevant to students considering UA:
- Best Online Master’s Programs : See where UA’s portfolio fits among the top online master’s programs nationally, evaluated on academic quality, student support, and outcomes.
- Most Affordable Online Master’s Programs : UA’s Tier 1 programs ($515/credit) compete strongly on affordability — this ranking helps you compare UA’s value proposition against other budget-conscious options.
- Accredited Online Master’s Programs : With seven programmatic accreditations spanning business, counseling, social work, nursing, public administration, library science, and athletic training, UA’s accreditation density is one of its defining features. This ranking provides broader context on what accreditation means for program quality and career outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. University of Alabama holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is the recognized regional accreditor for institutions in the southern United States. Regional accreditation is the standard that matters most for credit transfer, employer recognition, financial aid eligibility, and graduate school admission. Beyond regional accreditation, UA holds programmatic accreditations from AACSB (business), CACREP (counseling), CSWE (social work), CCNE (nursing), NASPAA (public administration), ALA (library science), and CAATE (athletic training).
The lowest total-cost online master’s programs at UA are the 30-credit offerings in the $515/credit tier: the MA in Educational Leadership, MEd in Elementary Education, and MS in Criminal Justice, each totaling approximately $15,450. The MSW with advanced standing for BSW holders also runs 30 credits at the $515/credit rate, making it comparably affordable. By contrast, the most expensive program is the 48-credit MBA at approximately $44,400 total.
Most of UA’s online master’s programs do not require the GRE. The MBA and some Culverhouse business programs may consider the GMAT but offer waivers for applicants who meet specific criteria — typically based on GPA, professional experience, or holding an existing advanced degree. Engineering and computer science programs may have varying GRE policies. Education, criminal justice, public administration, communication, library science, counseling, social work, and nursing programs generally do not require standardized test scores.
Yes. All online master’s programs at UA are delivered through the flagship Tuscaloosa campus by the same faculty, under the same accreditation, and leading to the same degree. Diplomas and transcripts do not distinguish between online and on-campus completion. There is no separate online entity or subsidiary brand — UA Online is an extension of the flagship institution, not a separate school.
Completion timelines vary by program length and pacing. The shortest programs — 30-credit offerings like the MS in Criminal Justice or MS in Management — can be completed in as few as 12 months with full-time enrollment. Most programs take 18 to 24 months at a standard pace. Longer clinical programs — the 60-credit counseling MA and MSW, the 48-credit MBA, and the 57-credit athletic training MA — typically require 24 to 36 months. Part-time pacing is available across the portfolio and will extend timelines accordingly.
UA’s most competitively differentiated online programs are those backed by strong programmatic accreditations: the AACSB-accredited MBA and specialized business degrees through Manderson/Culverhouse, the CACREP-accredited counseling programs, the CSWE-accredited MSW, the CCNE-accredited nursing programs, the NASPAA-accredited MPA, and the ALA-accredited MLIS. The education portfolio, while lacking equivalent programmatic accreditation headlines, is arguably UA’s best value on a cost-per-credential basis at $515/credit with Alabama certification alignment.
Yes, several programs require in-person clinical, practicum, or field placement hours. The counseling programs (Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling), MSW, nursing programs (FNP and Nurse Educator), athletic training MA, and the MEd in Multiple Abilities (Special Education) all include in-person components. In most cases, students arrange these hours in their local communities under university-approved supervision, so relocation to Tuscaloosa is generally not required. The majority of UA’s other online master’s programs — including all business, engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, criminal justice, public administration, library science, and communication programs — are fully online with no in-person requirements.