Alternative Master’s Degree Leading to Class A Certification: Individuals who do not have teacher certification may earn a Master of Arts degree in Education and simultaneously complete requirements for Alabama Class A (master’s level) teaching certification. The University of Alabama offers all of the teaching fields listed below at the graduate level.
- Elementary Education (with Early Childhood Education)
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (P-12)
- Physical Education (P-12)
- Music Education (P-12) – Instrumental or Vocal/Choral
- Secondary General Science
- Secondary General Social Studies
- Secondary Geography
- Secondary History
- Secondary English Language Arts
- Secondary Mathematics
- Spanish
ADMISSIONS TO THE
ALTERNATIVE MASTER’S PROGRAM
For admission to a certification program in the College of Education, you must meet the requirements of The University of Alabama and those established by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). Admission to The University of Alabama’s Graduate School does not qualify an individual for admission to a teacher education program.
ALSDE & College of Education Requirements
- A transcript evaluation (Request for Transcript Evaluation for Alternative Certification)
- Specific course requirements vary for each person according to the intended teaching field. If you are interested in a non-traditional approach to certification, the first step is to request an evaluation of your transcripts. Contact Dawn Bryant at debryant@ua.edu for the transcript evaluation request form.
- You must complete and submit both pages of the evaluation request form along with official transcripts and the evaluation fee (if applicable). Transcript evaluations usually require 2-4 weeks after official transcripts have been received. Requests should be submitted no later than April 1 for summer term, July 1 for fall semester, and Nov. 1 for spring semester. Requests received after these dates may not be processed before the beginning of the semester.
- If you are not currently enrolled at The University of Alabama, there is a $20 evaluation fee for the first teaching field and $10 for each additional teaching field requested. Money orders, cashier’s checks or personal checks are accepted.
- NOTE: Coursework and/or a degree from institutions outside the U.S. shall be substantiated by an evaluation of the foreign credentials through a foreign credential evaluation service recognized by the Alabama State Department of Education. Contact the College’s Office of Student Services and Certification for more information.
- Specific course requirements vary for each person according to the intended teaching field. If you are interested in a non-traditional approach to certification, the first step is to request an evaluation of your transcripts. Contact Dawn Bryant at debryant@ua.edu for the transcript evaluation request form.
- A bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 for regular admission.
- Completion of undergraduate deficiencies, specifically teaching field requirements (determined by transcript evaluation). May include undergraduate general studies courses and/or undergraduate professional education courses.
- Fingerprinting and background clearance.
Graduate School Requirements
- Some programs in the College of Education may consider a student who does not meet these requirements for conditional admission. Specific conditional admission policies may be obtained from the appropriate program chairperson or department head. Please visit the Graduate School website for specific information about applying.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
After receiving the results of your transcript evaluation, you should set up an appointment with your assigned advisor to discuss your evaluation and your COE/ALSDE-approved program of study. Your advisor will assist you in developing a plan to complete any undergraduate deficiencies or other initial requirements (fingerprinting, etc.).
INTERNSHIP
Field experiences must be completed in a wide variety of school settings and must comply with regulations of the Alabama Department of Education. The internship for candidates completing an Alternative Class A program shall be full-time in the schools for a full semester in the teaching field for which certification is sought and may include more than one classroom or grade level.