UAH gains board approval for counseling master’s and cybersecurity business major
Summary
The Board approved a 60‑hour Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UAH aligned with state licensure standards, and a new BSBA major in Cybersecurity Management designed to integrate business and technical training with professional certification pathways.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville received Board approval Nov. 7 for two academic programs intended to address workforce needs in behavioral health and cybersecurity.
Provost David Palayo presented a 60‑credit Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that aligns with Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling requirements and will make graduates eligible for state licensure as professional counselors; it includes a corrections counseling concentration aimed at correctional settings identified in the state's demand‑occupations reporting. Palayo noted the concentration responds in part to findings in a federal class action lawsuit that flagged inadequate mental‑health services in corrections.
Palayo also presented a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Cybersecurity Management, which converts an existing cybersecurity concentration into a standalone major that blends business and technical coursework and incorporates professional certification objectives such as CISSP.
Both proposals were moved, seconded and approved by the committee without recorded opposition.
Details and next steps: Implementation, course sequencing and admissions details are in the committee packet; the record shows the programs meet applicable state licensure and credentialing expectations but does not include enrollment targets or dedicated budget figures in the public remarks.
